By Accident/On Purpose

Given the manner in which I am wired, I have an extremely difficult time hearing someone say, no, it cannot be done. The way I learn is hands on, through imagination and experimentation.

Fusion is a process whereby .999 Fine silver is heated with a torch and when it reaches a certain state, melts into itself, creating a joint. Typically with sterling silver, the joint is created through soldering.

I was told, very simply, you cannot fuse sterling silver.

Why is this? - Obviously my first question.

Answer: You just can't.

Perhaps you cannot, but I will try.

My end result has become one of my sought after designs - my twig bracelets.

I begin with sterling wire - typically 14 or 16 gauge, and wrap it around itself in the most haphazard and unprofessional manner. Once I have the desired size oval or circle I begin the process of applying the heat to the metal.

When fine silver begins to reach it's melting point, the metal takes on the most amazing orange glow. With sterling, the glow is entirely different - first blue, then a yellow, and then! lo and behold the orange sun begins to shine through.

By circling the metal with the torches I am able to contort and transform the wire into an accidental/on purpose piece of wearable art. The forms are organic,natural,
and one of a kind.

And they evolved from someone stating it could not be done.

Creation does not begin with a no.

The Evolution of an Artisan

Art is personal.
Art is both tangible and intangible.
Art is ever present.
Art is whatever one wishes it to be - whether it is rendered in the form of a finely plated meal redolent of aroma and texture and taste, or a lovingly hand crafted piece of furniture whose lines profoundly echo the lines of the wood, or a canvas splashed here, there and everywhere with every imaginable medium, or a piece of jewelry, hand forged and cast in perfect form.
Art is visceral.
Art wants to be touched.

My intent, over time, is to provide the reader with insight into the evolution of a would be artisan, one who has spent her entire life learning through touch and taste and sound and smell,in order to create something to keep her keenly connected and aware of the world around her.

The Pea Pod

I am blessed.
I have a friend.
I have one friend.
One friend, like no other I have known.
We fit.
Perfectly.
Together.
We are peas in a pod.
In order to honor my friend, my best friend, I designed this necklace.
I never take it off.
Between us in the pod is a third pea - a symbol of our world.
Our world - together.
My friend and I, and the world we have created, are safe in our pod.
I am so very blessed to have one friend like no other I have known.

The Rings

How did they evolve? Simple. There once was a man and there once was a woman. Their lives intersected and then too quickly, their paths became divergent. He thought about her. She thought about him. She wanted to create something that would forever document their journeys both shared and unshared. The rings are symbolic of so many unions in so many ways. They are worn, they, in their slightly imperfect form are perfect circles. Their edges have been smoothed. Lines have formed over time. They are weighty. And the passage of time has cast them in a lovely light and has given them a rich patina.