Garden Esprit Brooch - Differences Unite Us

Materials: polymer, acrylic paints and glazes
Dimensions: 4" x 5 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Photo credit: Ralph Gabriner

Elise Winters
Haworth, New Jersey. USA

Concern for color and light has followed me through every phase of my artistic career.

Early on, my first masters’ project addressed light patterns in translucent porcelain which I created by manipulating thickness and texture. As I potter, I found joy in twisting, pulling and shaping that pliable material into full organic forms.

Then, years as a photographer allowed me to explore the ephemeral quality of light and color in nature the reflective shimmer off a rippling stream, the delicate shifting colors of the evening sky, the iridescence of creatures in a tidal pool, the blush of color on the skin of rip fruit.

My current work in polymer affords me the opportunity to merge all these concerns. I use specially formulated metallic acrylic paints and iridescent glazes to create shimmering luminous color effects over the polymer. The result is a seductive convergence of additive and subtractive color mixture allowing me to play with all the dimensions of color and light over the surface of my jewelry.


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.