Production Line of Saints - Differences Unite Us

Materials: Oxidized Bronze
Dimensions: 3" x 1" x 1"

I collected jewelry molds, made molds of my own work, and cast many pieces. Molds were mainly purchased from large production companies, as to represent the jewelry purchased by the majority, or the every day person. Then I soldered them together to make masses. These masses are small piles similar to how we see jewelry in ´Cash For Gold´ commercials and ads. Our current economic state in the United States and many other nations, has reduced many of us to a pawning lifestyle. We trade memories, and objects symbolizing special moments in our lives for enough extra money to pay the rent.

Photo credit: John Dowling

Tessa Juliet Kennedy
Syracuse, New York. USA

My work is about recalling and revisiting memories, and the odd complexity of nostalgia. I am extremly sentimental, and enjoy the obsessive organization and filing of important moments. The miniature scale has always excited a childish place in me- anything small has always seemed magical.

Jewelry is usually an essential symbol and medium in significant relationships- signifiers of important life events and experiences. My particular interest being personal, intimate, romantic relationships between people.

Ultimately, my work is about permanence and not wanting to loose my history- making as control, art as diary.

I received my BFA in Crafts from The UNiversity of the Arts in Philadelphia, and am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Jewelry and Metalsmithing at Syracuse University, MFA 2012.


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.