Nina Basharova — New York, NY
I am equally drawn to the unusual as to the classic, the bold and the elegant, the free-spirited and the sophisticated, the sensual and the strong. My pieces tend to be a mingling of these elements. I have sought to achieve a level of comfort and wearability, and pay close attention to how my jewelry will move with the different parts of the body, enhance the neck, nestle in stacks on the finger, flow from the ear and sit delicately on a wrist or climb up the arm. For me jewelry is an ultimately an "emotional" work of art. It evokes memories of moments of joy and love, commemorates lasting relationships and enhances beauty and confidence of the wearer.
Jean J. Cho — Bethesda, MD
24k gold fused on silver to create high contrast images of new life growing into cityscapes.
Namu Cho — Bethesda, MD | studionamu.com
My work expresses peace of mind from landscape using damascene and fusing techniques, materials are 24k gold, 22k gold, steel and diamonds.
Jaclyn Davidson — Middlebury, VT | jaclyndavidson.com
I am most interested in objects that are intimate - jewelry has these qualities. It is important that the pieces produced have a presence or impact on their own. In this newest work the line and shape of the object should captivate the viewer and not fall into an expected category of design elements. The one-of-a-kind designs shown here are produced in 18k gold, sterling silver, and mild steel which has been hand forged using jewelers and blacksmith's tools. A variety of direct metal techniques such as milling, folding, chasing, and coloring have also been enlisted.
Lilly Fitzgerald — Spencer, MA | lillyfitzgerald.com
My work is fed by that which I see around me everyday and in my travels... hub caps, doorknobs, the shape of a branch on a tree, building shapes, the detail on a fence post, stones and natural materials, their cuts and textures also serve as inspiration. I look at things all the time, all of this visual info goes in and is stored somewhere until a later time when I am thinking and drawing. Then things start to swirl around and come out as an amalgam of me and my visual life.
Pat Flynn — High Falls, NY | patflynninc.com
What I find most compelling in building my work are contrasts. In materials I am exploring the painterly interplay of fused gold on blackened steel with a reserved use of white gemstones all a contrast in inherent preciousness, color palette and the reflection of light. Another contrast exists in the movements and skills to make the work: the broad, powerful movements of forging followed by controlled goldsmithing techniques. In creating sensuous forms that respond to and echo the body, it is my wish that the work go out into the world to communicate for me.
Rob Greene — Marshfield, VT
Most of my work is hand fabricated in 18k, 22k gold and semi-precious stones. I also do most of the lapidary. I work alone and do all aspects of the design and production.
Barbara Heinrich — Pittsford, NY | barbaraheinrichstudio.com
This new collection of jewelry follows a linear theme, where the lines of the original pencil drawings are translated into wrapped and fluidly bent gold shapes, mostly crafted from wire. The wire is rarely used in its original shape. I like to hammer, texture and curve it until it looks like blades of grass that effortlessly hug a wrist, a finger or a neckline. The pearls and gemstones serve as points of interest, adding color and accents to complete the designs in this wrapped series.
Mary Hughes & Caro-Gray Bosca — Gloucester, MA | hughesbosca.com
We combine high karat Gold with the finest quality stones and rare materials. Each piece is hand-forged, formed and fabricated implementing techniques developed through classic training in jewelry-making and blacksmithing. Our color and texture emerge naturally, infusing each piece with character and intimacy. Ancient yet contemporary, our jewelry embodies an aesthetic of timeless appeal.
Reiko Ishiyama — New York, NY | reikoishiyama.com
Using thin metal I expect the pieces to be light and flexible to create architectural spaces with lights and shadows. Material that I use are Sterling Silver, 18K Gold, 14K White Gold.
John Iversen — East Hampton, NY
Handmade, one of a kind jewelry in 18Kt Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver.
Judith Kaufman — West Hartford, CT | judithkaufman.com
I make each unique piece by hand, using 22kt yellow gold, 18kt green gold and 14kt rose gold, incorporating unusual stones. My favorite challenge is to harmonize, color texture and design.
Judith Kinghorn — Minneapolis, MN | judithkinghorn.com
The pieces are all fabricated using a combination of techniques including fusing, embossing with hand etched plates, die forming, and granulation; put together with layers of sterling silver, 24k gold, 22k gold & occasionally gemstones.
Seung-Hea Lee — Providence, RI
All of my necklaces have great movement and flexibility created by the linkage system or kinetic elements. I like my chains to come alive on the wearer's body. For me, this movement and flexibility is performance art on the body.
Rebecca Myers — Baltimore, MD | rebeccamyersdesign.com
The line of jewelry that I design and make unites two opposing influences; a technical approach to design and the spontaneity of natural forms. The materials used are high karat gold, oxidized silver, diamonds and colored stones. I utilize casting and fabrication techniques such as fusing, overlay and embossing as well as abrasive finishes and patinas.
Todd V. Reed — Boulder, CO | toddreed.com
Hand forged and fabricated jewelry using 18ky gold, sterling silver with patina, precious stones, raw and cut diamonds.
Cheryl Rydmark — Mendocino, CA | cherylrydmark.com
I am fascinated by the imperfect, often contradictory, and ephemeral poetry of nature. My work is a study in translating these observations into permanent, wearable objects. By forging, roll printing, etching and oxidizing sterling silver and 18k gold, I am able to produce subtle textures and fluid forms that are then accented with other materials. The pearls, diamonds and other stones are chosen for their reflective, lustrous, complimentary or occasionally, contradictory qualities.
Klaus Spies — Asheville, NC | spiesjewelrydesign.com
My jewelry is inspired by natural shapes which I aim to render elegant and wearable. My preferred materials are 18k gold, sterling silver, ebony and well-chosen gems with top color. I use various surface treatments to give familiar fine metals an alluring tone and sheen. I use a wide variety of traditional goldsmithing techniques like chasing, fabricating, and wax-carving. I always aim for a perfection in craftsmanship but want to distinguish from classical and industrialized-looking jewelry.
Susan & Jeff Wise — Durango, CO | 2xwise.com
Our jewelry is sculpture in a diminutive scale, where we utilize fold forming, carved stone and wire mesh to develop visual depth. We make bold, dynamic forms which create a bridge between organic shapes and those based on architecture and geometry. We also enjoy the technical aspects of goldsmithing, fabricating clasps and mechanisms which are totally integrated into the aesthetics of a piece. Cutting our own stones enables us to create unique designs which flow seamlessly between rock and metal. We strive to make work which is light and comfortable while being powerful in scale and concept
Genevieve D. Yang — Santa Rosa, CA
The current collection is inspired by the phases of the moon and mountain landscapes. Pieces are individually handcrafted by me from various karats of gold, and purities of silver. The highest quality of colorless diamonds are featured. Many of these designs are award winning.
YoungJoo Yoo — Coralville, IA | youngjooyoo.com
My metal pieces can be seen as the historical record of my growth as an artist, since each piece tellingly shows how I perceived the surrounding world at that time I was working on it. Therefore, I cherish not only the values that my work acquires as a unique piece of metal art when it is finished, but also the joys of overcoming numerous kinds of obstacles in the process of crafting it. I am greatly interested in the geometric platonic solid, based on which I have produced my own designs that is, the transformations of the geometric platonic solid into which I added organic images of trees, clouds, or architectural buildings. I focused on using layers that is one of my favorite styles in art designs. Through this process, I came to build something independent, complex, and complete. It is Laurel. I pursue not only aesthetic values but also practical value in my artistic journey. A value will be proven in the uses of everyday life and esthetic enjoyment.
