I have worked in the fashion industry for 20 years and while I love the process of draping a soft fabric to fit the curves of the human body I am even more intrigued by coaxing hard metal into nearly any shape. A few simple bends in a piece of copper can transform it into what looks like a cloth ribbon.
I started designing and making jewelry about 15 years ago with a simple beaded necklace. When I took a Silver Fabrication class in a local New Jersey college I was hooked. My passion for metalsmithing gained momentum when I started taking classes in ancient techniques of jewelry making – hand fused and woven chainmaking, bezel setting stones and granulation. I was fortunate enough to have a master in ancient techniques as an instructor. In her class I melted down gold and alloyed it myself, all while she explained how the master goldsmiths in ancient Roman times worked over an open flame with a bone, mouth blown torch to melt down or fuse their gold. I held in my hands a necklace that she owns from Roman times and it took my breath away. To imagine that they created such precision and beauty in their pieces with such rudimentary tools is amazing to me. If I could time travel I would go back 2000 years and sit beside a master goldsmith to watch him work.
I love experimenting with texture and color in metal and obtain these unique finishes with tools as simple as sandpaper, a hammer or even a hardboiled egg! Another way I like to create texture is with textile weaving techniques, which bring me back to my roots of working with fabric. I also like to include semi precious stones and beads in my work to add color.
My hope is that for each unique piece of jewelry I make there is a unique person out there who will connect with the piece and derive joy from it for years to come.
JEWELRY PARTIES: If you live in the Salt Lake City or Park City area and are interested in hosting a jewelry party please contact me through the email contact link above or at silverschmidt@gmail.com
Party hostesses earn free jewelry!!!
CUSTOM ORDERS/PERSONALIZING: Custom orders are welcome. Initial and name or word charms in silver or gold are available. Please contact me at silverschmidt@gmail.com for custom ordering.
EMAIL: silverschmidt@gmail.com
Thanks for visiting!
Amy
I started designing and making jewelry about 15 years ago with a simple beaded necklace. When I took a Silver Fabrication class in a local New Jersey college I was hooked. My passion for metalsmithing gained momentum when I started taking classes in ancient techniques of jewelry making – hand fused and woven chainmaking, bezel setting stones and granulation. I was fortunate enough to have a master in ancient techniques as an instructor. In her class I melted down gold and alloyed it myself, all while she explained how the master goldsmiths in ancient Roman times worked over an open flame with a bone, mouth blown torch to melt down or fuse their gold. I held in my hands a necklace that she owns from Roman times and it took my breath away. To imagine that they created such precision and beauty in their pieces with such rudimentary tools is amazing to me. If I could time travel I would go back 2000 years and sit beside a master goldsmith to watch him work.
I love experimenting with texture and color in metal and obtain these unique finishes with tools as simple as sandpaper, a hammer or even a hardboiled egg! Another way I like to create texture is with textile weaving techniques, which bring me back to my roots of working with fabric. I also like to include semi precious stones and beads in my work to add color.
My hope is that for each unique piece of jewelry I make there is a unique person out there who will connect with the piece and derive joy from it for years to come.
JEWELRY PARTIES: If you live in the Salt Lake City or Park City area and are interested in hosting a jewelry party please contact me through the email contact link above or at silverschmidt@gmail.com
Party hostesses earn free jewelry!!!
CUSTOM ORDERS/PERSONALIZING: Custom orders are welcome. Initial and name or word charms in silver or gold are available. Please contact me at silverschmidt@gmail.com for custom ordering.
EMAIL: silverschmidt@gmail.com
Thanks for visiting!
Amy
