Materials: Mongolian jet, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, sterling cones, hand-cast clasping hands
Dimensions: 1.3"
The jet and turquoise discs are graded to become solid colors at the back of the neck where the hands join to form the clasp, completing the circle.
Photo credit: Betsy Lehndorff
Betsy Lehndorff
Boulder, CO. USA
A long-time art and decor critic, I decided to jump over to the other side and become a jewelry artist – in particular a silversmith. I also wanted to do figurative work, rather than modernism, because of the challenge of dimensional curves. I have been silversmithing for four years and started with beading. My favorite jewelers – and there are so many – are Todd Reed (who is the exact opposite of my goals) and Tom Herman.
I also continue to write and have had stories and work published in Lapidary Journal/Jewelry Artist and other magazines.
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my modest work.
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.
