Behind the Scenes: Intro

Hello!

Have you ever wondered what actually happens between a rough idea on paper and a finished piece of fine jewelry?

In this series I’m opening up my studio doors and taking you step-by-step through the raw, authentic making process. We’ll follow specific pieces from start to finish—exploring the tools, technique, math, and patience that go into creating handmade jewelry.

We’ll dive into three distinct fabrication methods:

1. Hand Fabrication: Shaping, forging, and soldering directly from sheet metal and wire.

2. Lost-Wax Casting: Carving organic forms in wax and transforming them into precious metal.

3. Precious Metal Clay (PMC): Sculpting with fine silver clay before firing it in the kiln.

Along the way, I’ll be sharing bench tips, traditional tools (some passed down through my family), and even a few secrets hidden within the designs.

First up: Hand Fabrication! Let’s take a look at where it all begins—right at my father’s 75-year-old workbench.

Pull up a stool and follow along—I’m so excited to share this journey with you!

-Nanette