Jewelry Reflections
Autumn Leaves
Autumn is my favorite time of the
year. I like the cool, crisp days. I en-
joy building fires in my wood stove
and watching the flickering flames in a darkened room.
I love the rich fall colors of rust, ocher, orange, red and
brown.
This change of season influences the materials I use
to create my jewelry – darker colored stones and met-
als that have been oxidized to give them a deeper tone.
This year, Iʼm fashioning a new collection of pieces
made of hand-forged copper, brass, bronze or sterling
in the shape of leaves.
Hand-forging the metals forms patterns and textures
which reflect light. Then by oxidizing (darkening) the
metals and gently buffing them with very fine steel
wool, I can produce leaves with an amazing variation
in color. Placing sterling leaves among the copper,
brass and bronze ones is like adding a touch of frost to
a pile of fallen leaves.
I start a collection, by first deciding on a shape in
this case a leaf. Next, I cut wire into different lengths
and bend it into a stylized leaf shape. Once all the
leaves are formed, I forge the wire to add pattern and
texture and to harden it so it retains its shape. Then
each leaf is polished either by hand or by tumbling in
a rotary tumbler. Now, the leaves are ready to turn into
jewelry.
I lay the leaves out on my work bench and shift them
around until a design emerges. Often, I have a vision
of a piece, but just as frequently the components dic-
tate the final design. Once the design is determined,
I link the components together to create the piece
– necklace, bracelet or earrings. The final steps are to
oxidize the metal, burnish with steel wool to bring out
highlights and seal with Renaissance wax to provide a
barrier between metal and skin.
All my jewelry collections will be available during
the Prescott Area Artist Studio Tour (see my ad for
details). I hope to see you during the Tour!
– Lynn Schmitt
[email protected]
Celebrating 13 Years in the Country Club
~ Thank You!
“When you expect the best”
Joan DeLabio & Annie
12
October 2017 pccnews