I hand create a number of metals by manipulating sterling silver, bronze and copper into several shapes. I then arrange and solder these shapes onto bronze sheet metal in various configurations. I use a rolling mill to simultaneously compress and stretch the combined metals, thus fine tuning their fluid patterns. Upon completion of each piece of jewelry, I oxidize to accentuate the raised shapes and then lacquer them to help prevent further oxidation. All posts, clutches, ear wires and seamless snake chains are sterling silver.
Beach Stone Jewelry by Susan L. Hutton
I have been collecting rocks since I was a small child, so it's no wonder I would choose this direction in my jewelry making. I cut beach stones, primarily from Deer Isle, Maine. I then grind and sand both sides to a satin finish, leaving them natural, as if the ocean just washed over them. I design and make settings for them in sterling silver to create a double sided pendant as shown below.
