Sterling silver pendant on chain with ‘Berry Bead’ + citron bullet stone
for Sarah Nelson – jeweler + collector, Massachusetts, USA
2007
Commissioned jewelry is different from mass produced jewelry you buy from a shop in that it usually reflects your own personal ideas about self-expression and/or involves incorporating objects of sentimental value that you hold dear. People have commissioned me to make engagement rings, wedding bands, birthday gifts and graduation presents for themselves or the ones they love to show they went that extra step to make the gift more personal and something to really cherish for years to come.
The process of commissioning jewelry requires both customer and jeweler to communicate their personal and creative input into the jewelry design which results in a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that no one else in the world has.
For example, I was asked to make the pendant pictured above for Sarah Nelson of Massachusetts who is a maker and collector of jewelry. She wanted to treat herself with a new piece of jewelry and asked me to incorporate a handmade glass bead she had brought from LilianaBead and a small bezel-set citron bullet-shaped stone she had purchased at a gem show which perfectly matched in color. We talked about several options on how to assemble the bead and stone together in a way that was unique which is how we arrived at hanging the bead vertical and connecting the stone via the silver architectural elements. The result is a nice contrast of hard and soft looking elements that flow together really well.
The next several posts here on my blog will be on a variety of commissions I have taken on over the last few years for customers in the US and the UK. I hope you find them inspirational and I welcome any comments or questions you may have.
H.
photo by HSkowood
heatherskowood
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hey heather, site looks great on my mac but this ancient pc im on the black and blue combo is a bear to read, thought i’d let you know. love the berrybead….very cool, love to you, carla
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