Primitive
Evil Eye Earrings
Evil eye earrings made by chasing & repousse, torch-fired enamels.
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Scarab Necklace
Scarab necklace made by chasing & repousse, torch-fired enamels.
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Anticlastic Spirals
Anticlastic earring with torch-fired enamels
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Primitive Designs
This series of jewelry is inspired by cult objects and goddess symbols of Neolithic Europe. These are primitive matriarchal designs in harmony and peace with the creative energies of nature. The spiral is a form that is deeply embedded in all of nature. It is fundamental to the structure of many life forms such as plants, seashells, the human body, atomic elements, microscopic DNA, and the spiraling orbits of planets and galaxies.The spiral has found its way into the art of almost all cultures, from ancient primitive rock carvings on all continents to today's corporate logos.
The Evil Eye is one of the oldest and widely believed myths. Wearing blue glass in in the shape of an eye is said to ward off any malevolence that may be cast your way. I grew up in a Greek family where the impression of the 'evil eye' was passed down to me.
The Evil Eye is one of the oldest and widely believed myths. Wearing blue glass in in the shape of an eye is said to ward off any malevolence that may be cast your way. I grew up in a Greek family where the impression of the 'evil eye' was passed down to me.
Spiral BangleI start by welding/fusing heavy copper wire into a bangle, then forging and forming it until it is flat. I drill, file, and sand it, then finish it with a liver of sulphur patina. To create the 15, 3/4" spirals, I forge both ends of 14 gauge copper wire and carefully curve them into spirals. I enamel both sides to give a rich, primitive, golden color, then attach them to the bangle with 16 gauge copper wire jump rings. The combination of the metal and glass make music as it jangles on your wrist.
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This bangle is based on the pre-hellenic Greek myth of Pandora (from the book Lost Goddesses of Early Greece by Charlene Spretnak)
Pandora means giver of gifts. In the myth she opens a jar and brings gifts to the mortals. "I bring you wonder, curiosity, memory. I bring you wisdom. I bring you justice with mercy. I bring you caring and communal bonds. I bring you courage, strength, endurance, I bring you loving kindness for all beings. I bring you the seeds of peace. (p. 56-7)" Anesidora is the Greek word for she who sends up gifts. This myth inspired me to create a series of jewelry to convey this message. These bangles are stamped with 4 of the gifts that she brought. Wearing one of these bangles is a reminder of what we have in us, particularly at difficult times in our lives. They are forged by hand from heavy gauge copper wire, stamped and then given either a heat patina or a liver of sulphur patina. The inside diameter is 2.5" (average bangle size), but can be made larger or smaller. |
