HAMMERWORKS EPIC BODYWEAR

In the wind-down from making pieces for others back in 2007, I decided to begin a new series of my own work called “Accidental Terrain”. The idea was to explore a mental snapshot of aerial geographic topography, and create a version hammered into sheet silver. Once on the body it was transformed: the “topography” of the skin - a life of nicks, scrapes, scars, and the like - aligned to create human references to this abstraction in metal.

I took an extended leave from my work in 2009 to pursue more stable income and unfortunately left the series after this first piece. The theme continues to engage me however, and there are mind-sketches for other members in this body of work. I hope to have the opportunity to flesh out the ideas and articulate them into metal. Thank you for your support!

And another piece… There was a ring I had long envisioned for myself, to which I decided to make some alterations. Made for someone else for an exhibit at the Wexler Gallery in Philadelphia, the original was ideal for a person with deeper skin tone, to make the hue of the ring *pop*:

I loved this stone but it didn’t work on my hand. Since the piece didn’t sell during the show, I opened the setting - I’d hand-fabricated all parts in  round and square sterling silver wires - and set a piece of azurite, saved especially for this ring.

Its new look was fabulous and I wore it only for a week before a collector laid eyes on it and decided she wanted it for herself! At least this beautiful ring has a wonderful new home. It never fails that a new piece of wearable sculpture-jewelry which I make for myself becomes the new love of someone else! It’s best that way, really.

I took a hiatus from my metal in 2008 and would like to take this opportunity to share works completed just before my leave of absence. I will be posting a number of works I have created since my departure as well, so please stay tuned!

At long last, I had the great fortune to create a new Medieval-City-on-My-Knuckle, Modern-Day-Protection-Device ring. After wearing this favorite for over 10 years, and having people stare at it wherever I was, despite themselves — compelled to the point of making conversation with me in many cases –  someone finally had the moxie to commission one for themselves. For his fabulous wife. A mother of two in lower Manhattan decided she needed one of these fantastic finger sculptures to enhance her daily life, and her husband, being the great man he is, agreed it would make her even more lovely.

This image depicts the two side-by-side; can you tell which one is mine, happily worn day after day?

I hear she wears it well: another bird of a feather adorned with something personal and extraordinary to take along this path of life.  Thank you!

Another gorgeous piece I had opportunity to make was a pierced sterling armlet - the assignment was something with references to Art Nouveau, but also with the recipient’s initials prominently placed. Normally I do not like to include words or letters - preferring the abstract - but here the collaboration came to an incredible result.

The Brazilian beauty wears this special piece everyday…