And that is when I knew…
My love affair with the delicate beauty of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan jewelry began with a visit to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. It was love at first sight. I immediately set out to unravel the aesthetic ideas and rediscover the lost techniques and materials that guided these ancient craftsmen to the creation of works with such simplicity, beauty, and refinement. By reading books, studying with master jewelers in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, I learned the complex techniques, like granulation, chain making, lost wax casting and carving, and stone setting, and developed and refined those techniques, to synthesize a rich and personal aesthetic that blends ancient ideas with modern sensibilities creating contemporary jewelry with the look and feel of ancient times. Every piece of jewelry is unique, and I lovingly design, craft, and finish each one. You can feel the joy of wearing a piece that reflects you as well as the past. Don’t see the perfect piece?
Do you have a treasured family heirloom that you look at and put back in the jewelry box because it just didn’t speak to you but you love it? It is possible we could re-design the original piece, transforming it into a joyful piece while honoring the memory of your loved one. It can be for you or maybe a gift for someone special to commemorate a happy occasion, memorialize an important event to carry forward to future generations.
I am so glad you visited and please let me know when you would like to talk about a beautiful piece of jewelry for you or someone special.
Slideshow below: The Painter Needs a Golden Wreath
Olive Wreath 4th Century BC
Imitating Perfection
Annie Assembling the Wreath
Annie's Finished Wreath 2017 AD
Granulation is one of my favorite things to do. Applying one tiny granule at a time on the gold surface to make a beautiful piece of jewelry. It takes a lot of practice and patience while learning how to read the metal right before the whole piece fuses and especially right before the fused piece melts.
Domed 22 karat gold Ear Pendants being made with granulation and then
they will be set with faceted
Alexandrite gemstones.
The technique of granulation with 22 karat gold brings me joy. Each granule is applied one at a time with a small paintbrush before it is fused to the surface with a torch.