Seeds: A Metaphor for Life

Seed Cuff (One of a Series)
Reticulated Sterling Silver and hematite
2 ½" wide
Fabricated
$300.
What goes through the artist's mind as she sits at her bench? In the case of my reticulated sterling silver cuffs, I am thinking about the silver and what will happen to the smooth surface this time when I heat it close to melting point with my torch.

I muse how this tricky process is like life: I move along doing what I do (in this case heating the metal). Sometimes everything goes as expected (a nice evenly textured surface); other times, disaster strikes (the silver pools, bumps appear,or holes open up from excess heat.) I realize that disappointment can strike anytime (as when I am forming, the silver becomes brittle and work hardened simply snaps in half, destroying my vision of perfection!)

Just as in life, I am faced with an unanticipated challenge that requires ingenuity and determination. As an artist, I look for design options to salvage the unsightly "mishaps" to transform them into interesting elements and points of beauty.

My imagination and skills are sharpened at this time as I meet the challenge to bring unique character to each bracelet incorporating stones or other fabricated elements into the design. As I proceed, I realize that this is no different from solving life's problems... successfully accepting breaks, challenging bumps and filling holes to make life a work of art that is also unique and beautiful.