featured students

Elaine Speiser Discover 1,2 and Silver Passport Series

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 08:09:52 -0400

Growing up in an artistic family, creativity was always present. Embracing my roots, I have sifted through many forms of art. Always enjoying the process, there was never a medium which captured my full interest. Once I discovered metal, I was instantly enraptured with the technique of softening, folding, curving, texturing and fusing.

In my opinion, jewelry should be an extension of yourself, therefore, design, comfort and ease of wear are important elements incorporated in my designs. Always having an eye for the simple and elegant, I draw my inspiration from architecture, textiles, and the beauty of nature.

Most days you will find me working away creating some new design in my studio oblivious to the outside world. Guess you could say I'm passionate about my work. How wonderful is that to do what you love every day?

Samantha Guerry Discover 1,2 and Private instruction

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:41:53 -0500

I’ve been painting and taking pictures since I was a little girl. The creative process fascinates me and I see it in everything I do from cooking to writing. Ten years ago, I began watercolor painting and more recently began to learn silversmithing.

Jeff Jones Beginning & Intermediate Silversmithing

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 22:03:00 -0400

What about silversmithing turns you on?

Silversmithing is fun because I get to use my hands and pretty basic tools like torches, hammers, saws, drills etc in somewhat violent ways to make pieces of "art". The kinds of things one can make and the formats are almost unlimited. And it doesn't take deep thought - most things come out nice even if not always as originally planned (and if not I can sell the scrap to recoup the investment). It's also fun to see how you can "improve" on pieces you see folks wearing or in shops/shows.

Any tips for other emerging silver artists?...

Don't worry if you're not "artistic" or "creative". You can start with ideas borrowed from books or nice pieces you see folks wearing. Pretty soon you find yourself with way more ideas than you can implement.

Joan Danoff Discover Silversmithing 1 & 2 & Open Studio

Fri, 9 Apr 2010 23:07:33 -0400

Joan took to the art form in the blink of an eye. Completing both Discover 1 and Discover 2, she continued her artistic journey with open studio. One of the first creations made with her new found skills was this lovely bracelet (right). Using a large bezel set Azurite-Malachite cabochon as her focal point, Joan used a pre-cut disc textured using a rolling mill impression of a leaf. She then soldered this to hammered low-dome wire.

Very nice!

Jennifer Danly Discover Silversmithing 1 & 2

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:38:39 -0500

Jennifer took a very different approach to the bezel project in Disc. 2. As a gifted quilter she couldn’t ignore the call to incorporate her piece into her artistic discipline.

A rhodonite stone bezel set on a reticulated base, notice the attention to detail in the lines of her quilting as it frames the silver focal point. The color of the stone is highlighted by the fabric and tiny black beads that she stiched into the design. Truly beautiful.

What an interesting direction to take the art of silversmithing!