It started out simple enough…an admiration for rings compelled Shelli Kahl to take a soldering class so she could learn how to make her own. Several courses later, she found herself producing enough work to start showing at art shows. But it wasn’t until she sought the mentorship of a well-known metalsmith master that her career took off.
In a time when true craftsmanship seems to be slipping away, there are still artisans out there striving to preserve centuries-old practices not only through the work they put out into the world, but also by passing down these techniques and philosophies to those coming up in the industry. One such artist is goldsmith and jewelry maker Paul Farmer.
Jewelry is art in the wearable form. These miniature sculptures are constructed from a variety of materials often combining carving, weaving, metalsmithing, and stone placement. Hear from our multi-talented jewelers Diana Ferguson, Chad Lieske and Cynthia Downs about their processes and tools of the trade.
Artist Diana Ferguson had long been drawn to beads, but it wasn’t until she discovered the ancient peyote stitch technique that her creativity really flourished. This technique kickstarted what would become a line of beautifully crafted architectural jewelry. And it has since evolved into wall art.
Some people are lucky enough to find that thing they were meant to do in life––the thing that seemingly comes naturally to them. And when they do, everything seems to just flow. It’s as if they had been doing it all along, even if it’s their first time. And for artist Elizabeth Hake, that was […]
Isabelle Posillico is a contemporary jewelry designer with a knack for letting her medium speak to her. When designing her pieces, Isabelle arranges stones and metal, but then she listens as they lead her to new creative ways of expressing her artistry through jewelry. She’s thrilled to watch her pieces evolve organically, and her collectors […]
Michael McRae is a metalsmith who creates one-of-a-kind silver, gold, and precious stone jewelry, and has been in the arts and creative world for nearly four decades. Up until a few years ago, Michael was a photographer shooting fashion and product for national brands. However, as digital techniques took over the profession, Michael sought out […]
Adriana Socol’s handwoven jewelry and accessories appear as if they come from another time and place. Her signature fiber weaving technique, which she learned in her travels to Central America, allows her to create singular pieces designed to evoke a connection with its wearer. She shares how she got started in art, how her work […]
“Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work. If you wait around for the clouds to part and a bolt of lightning to strike you in the brain, you are not going to make an awful lot of work. All the best ideas come out of the process; […]
“Jewelry has the power to be the one little thing that makes you feel unique.” – Elizabeth Taylor. In this Art Discovery virtual series, artists Shelli Kahl, Diana Ferguson, and Paul Farmer share their inspiration and visions of how to make a stunning statement with jewelry. With a keen eye, these jewelry makers have perfected […]
