Two Beautiful Bracelets!
Sunday, March 25th, 2007I had the fortune to create two striking armlets for two extraordinary women, dear friends both.
Once Vera Ramirez, a beauty who always steps out in elegant ease saw my work, she immediately commissioned me for her signature piece. The Scroll Armlet is an artifact in oxidized sterling silver - all one piece. I hammered the entire metal surface to give the bracelet a skin-like quality, and hammer-rolled the top and bottom lengths to give a simple but stunning sculptural finish. This was something Vera long-dreamed about, and I am grateful she had me actualize it for her.
Exuberant and rarefied Aya Kiyono–a kindred spirit in Japan–has her own collection of Melina Hammer wearable artworks. She commissioned me to conceive The Fishnet Lace Armlet for her latest acquisition. Similar to Vera’s, this armlet is entirely created of one piece of sheet metal. I rolled thick brass sheet stock down, and down, and down–to create the appropriate length for her wrist–until it became the perfect balance between delicate and sturdy. Then, I pierced out the ‘net’ openings with my jewelers’ saw. Because of challenges we’ve each faced through our friendship, I sawed-out each shape into a heart before filing the openings to the more regular, finished look. The heart forms from this svelte bracelet sit on my bench, a token of my feeling for Aya. In completing the Fishnet Lace Armlet, I hammer textured it and buffed it with a very fine steel wool, creating a satin lustre effect. She loves this timeless beauty, and I am beaming. I have such wonderful people as these ladies sharing in my vision.
