La Primavera Necklace - Differences Unite Us

Materials: Polymer Clay, Italian Wire Mesh, Silver Wire
Dimensions: 17 inches length

This lovely necklace is inspired by nature, again which I think is a universal inspiration. A hand dyed silk ribbon holds a focal piece which I made out of polymer clay flowers, and green, Italian wire mesh.

Photo credit: Alexis Gopal

Alexis Gopal
Bridgewater, CT. USA

I am originally an M.D., an Internist to be more specific, from New York City, who forsake the practice of medicine for my first love, jewelry making. I was prompted to leave my profession because of having two small children whom I never saw due to my long hours. I don’t regret my decision for a moment.

My love of jewelry making goes back to childhood, when my mother would take me to visit the bead stores in Manhattan. I would come home with bags full of colorful beads, and findings I had no idea what to do with. I gradually taught myself how to make earrings, necklaces, bracelets. Upon leaving medicine, I furthered my education at the Brookfield Craft Center in Connecticut, taking metalsmithing, jewelrymaking, precious metal clay courses, among others.

I am inspired by my former patients, and various people I’ve encountered in my travels. I want my jewelry to be an extension of my healing…to bring happiness and joy, through it’s aesthetic. Hopefully, for my work to have personal meaning to the wearer.


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.