Keepsake / Heirloom Pieces
Sometimes, a piece of jewelry’s value far surpasses the sum of materials and labor to create it. Creating a remembrance or transforming a valued element into wearable jewelry provides tremendous satisfaction to both the wearer and me. These examples have intrinsic value far beyond their parts.
“I cherish this ring as much as my wedding ring! It means the world to me that I am able to have my parents with me every day, and equally as meaningful is the love, thoughtfulness, and artistic care that was taken in its creation. Truly an heirloom.”
— S.A., repeat client
A pair of clip earrings from a client's mother was transformed into jewelry better suited for her. To create the ring, I fabricated a heavy sterling silver band and shaped the top to match the contour of the earring component. As soldering was not an option, the design utilizes a special hidden prong setting. The matching pendant completes the wearable repurposed set.
A friend asked if I might design a special bracelet in remembrance of her mother, who had gone through a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. This prominent awareness ribbon is hand shaped / hammered by me in pure silver with accents of smooth amethyst (purple is the color for ALZ). The doubled chain supports the size of the ribbon, on the back of which I engraved her mother's first name as well as birth & death years.
Without question, designing a custom ring around a crumpled bullet (from her Dad) & existing diamond pendant (from her Mom) is one of the hardest projects I have tackled! Part of the challenge was keeping the diamond in its setting. A 14k gold & Argentium braided band, 14k gold prongs & organic Argentium backplate brought this design together.
Vintage medal with 14k goldfill wire-wrapped pearls, chain, and handmade clasp. A cherished childhood award became a lovely necklace decades later. The lovely patina acquired over time was protected on the medal during the process.
The inset photo shows an infinity with spinning crystal that had been given to a client by her mother. To transform the pendant into something to be worn & enjoyed, I sawed the pendant apart...1 pendant became 3! The base of the structure became a labradorite setting for her daughter, the infinity shape cleaned up to stand alone & a strong sterling setting holds the repurposed crystal.
My second time creating around a family memento made from lead! This is a sinker for which I sawed and textured a sterling silver "spinner". It's on a handmade infinity bail & gunmetal chain ties in with the sinker. I LOVE making wearable memories--the recipient wanted a necklace made from her dad's handmade sinker & this was a surprise from her niece.
A woman who had lost an earring from a pair given to her by her sister who had passed away asked if I could do something with the other earring. As there was no way to exactly match it, the earring became a pendant & freshwater pearl teardrops wire-wrapped in 14k goldfill create a coordinating set with sentimental value.
Horseshoe nails, saved from a beloved horse, became a sturdy handsome open band ring. Keepsake jewelry can honor anything we love--including animal companions. (I learned how to solder steel to sterling silver for this one.)
This ammonite set--two halves of a fossilized creature--is custom wrapped to match the personalities of the mother and daughter for whom they were designed. On the left is a detailed woven structure in 14k Rose Goldfill; on the right is antiqued bronze with pearl and obsidian accents.
This set showcases a handmade cross that was a special gift to a client, but the heavy beaded strand it was on did not suit her. She asked that we work together to rebuild the cross into something she would cherish. This result includes handmade hardware, textured sterling chain & wire-wrapped links of Black Agate in different cuts.
Deeply personal rearview mirror suncatcher--key of significance wrapped in sterling silver under a hammered silver heart. Birthstone & numbers incorporated plus a beautiful Swarovski crystal for sparkle--a cool blend of organic & refined.
I take it very seriously when making awareness ribbons for people who are supporting or remembering loved ones. This necklace & ring set honors a beloved mother. This pendant is a total of 1" (I can make in a size range from 3/4" to 2"). My ring design is a ribbon that lays across the finger, handmade from precious metals.