Materials: Stainless steel
My cuff links have a unique mechanism. Which is that there really isn’t a mechanism at all, they are made from a sold piece of steel and formed into a “U” shape. I strive to utilize both the face of the cuff link and the end of it in my designs.
Photo credit: Jill Stenglein
Melissa Rae Jerome
MKJDesigns
Pickford, MI. USA
I have always been attracted in any medium of art and jewelry but jewelry has always been my passion. I can remember being a little girl and going to my grandmother and asking her to show me her jewelry box and all of the treasures in held. All the while thinking to myself I couldn’t wait to grow up and have a box like that of my own. I like to pull my inspiration from my surroundings. Wildlife and nature being the most obvious, but geometric shape and the flowing texture of a curve would be the biggest inspirations
Ganoksin hosts the jewelry list Orchid, with over 13,000 list members from all over the world, speaking from a wide range of technical and aesthetic experiences. The exhibition theme grew out of a desire to celebrate the creativity encompassed in this wide variety.
Artists were free to interpret the theme in any way they chose. Each artist could submit up to six pieces. Interpretations include uniting different materials into one cohesive form; intellectual and emotional “unitings”, where the meaning of the piece unites multiple concepts; the uniting of time - past, present and future; and a number that focus on the harmony created when uniting multiple materials and/or concepts.
The work submitted involved a wide range of jewelry techniques, from very traditional to very cutting edge, as well as using materials from traditional precious metals and gemstones to “re-purposed” and “up-cycled” materials.
The exhibition showcases 330 images chosen from entries from over 111 artists representing 26 countries.
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Serbia, Spain, Trinidad, Turkey, UK, USA, Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands
Many of the participants began their interest in jewelry at a young age. Some are relative newcomers to the field, and some have over 35 years of experience as professional jewelers and goldsmiths. While some grew up in families that were goldsmiths, and followed in those footsteps, others only began creating jewelry as adults.
