I have always enjoyed creating and before I began making jewelry I worked in various types of materials to create a variety of unique handcrafted items.
I love color and my early work was in fabrics, combined with embroidery thread and beads to create wild one of a kind clothing. For a couple years in the mid 1970's I earned my living carving wood, and I have also worked in stone and bone.
Now I do this.
My work is inspired by the metal, the stones, our relationship with the natural world, and a sense of wonder at the transformations possible using ancient metal working techniques.
I am self taught and the sterling silver and gemstone jewelry I create is very labor intensive. Most of my pieces are one of a kind.
I don't do my own gem cutting, but with a few rare exceptions, the metal work in each piece is shaped entirely by my own hands. I rarely use any commercially mass produced metal components as short cuts, which results in pieces that are truly unique.
To create my pieces I start with flat metal sheet and wire of varying thickness, which I cut, bend, shape hammer, roll, connect using high heat and sliver solder,texture and polish .
The white metal in my work is all either 92.5 sterling silver, which I use for the main body of my work, or 999 pure silver which I use to create the bezel cups as it is softer than sterling and can be easily molded around a stone.
I also work with copper, brass, bronze, and many of my mainly sterling pieces have some brass details that have been added for additional color. A couple of my pieces have a few gold details.
This blog was originally created as a privately listed place to include on my business cards. I have often had people who visited Salt Spring come back the next year and tell me how much they have regretted not buying the one of a kind piece they saw when they last visited, and how disappointed they are to see it is gone. So I was hoping having an online presence will make it easier for people to find me and reconnect with that piece they fell in love with.
I am self taught and the sterling silver and gemstone jewelry I create is very labor intensive. Most of my pieces are one of a kind.
I don't do my own gem cutting, but with a few rare exceptions, the metal work in each piece is shaped entirely by my own hands. I rarely use any commercially mass produced metal components as short cuts, which results in pieces that are truly unique.
To create my pieces I start with flat metal sheet and wire of varying thickness, which I cut, bend, shape hammer, roll, connect using high heat and sliver solder,texture and polish .
The white metal in my work is all either 92.5 sterling silver, which I use for the main body of my work, or 999 pure silver which I use to create the bezel cups as it is softer than sterling and can be easily molded around a stone.
I also work with copper, brass, bronze, and many of my mainly sterling pieces have some brass details that have been added for additional color. A couple of my pieces have a few gold details.
This blog was originally created as a privately listed place to include on my business cards. I have often had people who visited Salt Spring come back the next year and tell me how much they have regretted not buying the one of a kind piece they saw when they last visited, and how disappointed they are to see it is gone. So I was hoping having an online presence will make it easier for people to find me and reconnect with that piece they fell in love with.
In the winter of 2011 -2012 I decided to try selling online, and as a part of putting myself more in the public eye, I decided to open this blog up to the public. Having a way to show off my latest creations without having to wait till next spring, when our local outdoor market starts up, has really perked up my work day during the winter months, and having some extra sales online is a very nice side effect.
In the summer it is a bit of a scramble to keep up with everything.
My work is currently available through Etsy.
http://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ElfinWorks
In the summer it is a bit of a scramble to keep up with everything.
My work is currently available through Etsy.
http://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ElfinWorks
For me, the beauty I express in my jewelry is a small celebration and reminder of the beauty and goodness of our lives.
Enjoy
Enjoy
