Each month Victoria showcases the artwork of a student from her workshops, videos, and online classes.
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013
January, 2015
Black Opal Immortal Peacock by Nicole Hanes
While I was in a hardware store just after Thanksgiving, where there lots of holiday decorations displayed, I overheard a woman in a somewhat outraged tone on her cell phone asking her caller “What the heck is with the Christmas Peacock?” She turned to me and ask “Are you with me on this?” I offered an answer that I thought it was something European. The truth is I remember always having a Peacock ornament clip-on miniature for our tree, but I never really knew why. My mom who is Italian always put it on.
My curiosity peaked so I went home and looked it up and found that the peacock has been a symbol of Immortality going back to ancient Egypt and then the druid cultures Apparently a myth that the flesh of the peacock didn’t disintegrate after death is what engendered this idea.
From there the early Christians ascribed the peacock as a symbol of Resurrection as well so in Homage to the Ancients, I decided it was in keeping with the season and I needed to create a Peacock. This is my version.
This Peacock is made from Sterling and Fine Silver and the bezels that hold the two Ethiopian Black Opals is made from 22 kt gold as is the bezel that holds the (conflict free) brandy yellow diamond. The diamond measures 2.52 mm and is a round faceted stone with a carat weight of .04 cwt.
The opals are 4.65 cwt for the larger pear shaped Opal which has a slight defect and the smaller is .95 cwt.
This piece measures 3.5 H x 1.25 inches at the widest part of the tail. The pin is a simple one also made from Sterling silver.
The Opals remind me of the infinite possibilities for the new year, with the deep flashing colors that look like the night sky in this immortal peacock.
©2014, Nicole Hanes
www.rubylane.com/shops/exoticgemdesigns
February, 2015
Poison Ring by Diana Dow
For so many years, I have admired Victoria Lansford’s work. Finally in September, 2014 my schedule matched up with Victoria’s workshop schedule! Her filigree workshop was so wonderful that I could not wait any longer to get more – I bought Victoria’s Chasing/Repousse and Ring DVDs. These DVDs are so well produced! The only thing that held me back from jumping in full force was school. I am a junior (non-traditionally aged) at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, MA, and my workload is always INTENSE.
Well, one day, I was helping Ben Ryterband, Ceramics Professor, unload a kiln. Being funny, he scraped a couple of high fired glaze drippings off the kiln shelf and challenged me with, “‘Metals,’ make something with these.” (Yes, he calls me “Metals.”) Well, I could not resist. The challenge was on. Looking at the “stones,” the first thing I thought of was Victoria’s ring DVD. And, it just so happened that I had just learned how to create laser cut designs for roller printing in a CAD class for jewelers! I designed the pattern on Rhino and laser cut it out of a manila folder. Then, off I went to make my “Poison” Ring.
The ring was made in time for my end of the semester Review Board! The results of Victoria’s soldering roller printed/textured metal technique worked so well – NO solder interfering with the design anywhere on the ring/in fact, NO sign of solder anywhere. One of the reviewers actually asked me if I had soldered my ring. And, other reviewers told me that I found the “drama” in my work with this ring. This ring was the highlight of my review. I am thrilled with it.
Sterling silver, high fired glaze drip “stone” – liver of sulfur patina
1-1/2″ High, 1″ Wide, 5/8″ Band Width, Size 8
©2014, Diana Dow
April 2015
Eye of the Storm by Clint Barnett
Clint Barnett is a jeweler who mainly works with silver and mixed media. By focusing on techniques and materials, Barnett creates with daily, recognizable elements, an unprecedented situation in which the viewer is confronted with the conditioning of his own perception and has to reconsider his biased position.
His work urges us to renegotiate jewelry as being part of a reactive or – at times – artistic medium, commenting on oppressing themes in our contemporary society. By rejecting an objective truth and global cultural narratives, he formalizes the coincidental and emphasizes the conscious process of composition that is behind the seemingly random works. The thought processes, which are supposedly private, highly subjective and unfiltered in their references to dream worlds, are frequently revealed as assemblages.
His works feature coincidental, accidental and unexpected connections which make it possible to revise art history and, even better, to complement it. Combining unrelated aspects lead to surprising analogies. By experimenting with aleatoric processes, he considers making jewelry a craft which is executed using clear formal rules and which should always refer to social reality. His works are notable for their perfect finish and tactile nature. This is of great importance and bears witness to great craftsmanship. Clint currently lives and works in Austin, TX.
Sterling, fine silver, garnet
1-3/4″ tall x 1″ wide, size 6.
©2015, Clint Barnett
June 2015
Leaf by Jean Wilkinson
I am a silversmith, jeweler and plique a jour enameler. I started silversmithing at home in Ireland with the amazing Brian Clark making large pieces and from there started to make jewellery. I took as many jewellery technique courses as I could find and it all began from there. I wanted to be able to do all the aspects of each piece myself and bring different techniques to my work. I have been making large silver pieces and gold and silver jewellery for many years now but always on a small scale, believing what you put into each piece is the most important thing. Since moving to the UK I have been enameling in plique a jour and have won awards from the Goldsmith for this technique and it was on one of my many internet searches of traditional enameling techniques that I found a beautiful piece of Russian filigree by Victoria Langford and I was both inspired and hooked!
I received my dvd in the post on Saturday and made my first Russian filigree piece on Sunday. I watched all the projects through and could not wait to get started! I decided on something based on the first project but a shape I use a lot, which is a leaf. I followed all Victoria’s recommendations for materials and approach and started by drawing a rough sketch of the frame. I tried to keep to the ideas shown on the projects to get some pleasing shapes and used Victoria’s Russian Filigree solder mixed as per instructions on the website. It took a bit of getting used to! But after a few tries, I got the consistency right. When all the detail passed the nail test, I shaped the leaf on a stake and cleaned and polished it up. I love this technique! Thank you!
Sterling square wire 1.2mm for frame. Fine sliver .3mm doubled, twisted and rolled to approximately .39mm
2 1/4 x 1 inch.
©2015, Jean Wilkinson
July 2015
Interlaced, for Julia, by Denise Temofeew
This Eastern repousse necklace was commissioned by gentleman as a gift for his wife Julia in celebration of their 25-year wedding anniversary. He wanted this piece to represent the growth of his marriage, “from the two of us into the five of us,” as he put it, and how tightly-knit his family is as well as how their lives are all interlaced. Sitting with him, sketching and listening to him talk about his lovely wife, was very moving. I’m so honored to have had a part in the celebration of their milestone.
Sterling silver and fine silver Roman chain, freshwater cultured pearls.
Pendant approximately 3″ x 1.5″, chain 18″
©2015, Denise Temofeew
August 2016
Magnolia: Perseverance, by Natalie Freedman Knepp
My name is Natalie Knepp and I am a jewelry artist based out of Akron, Ohio . I work at a custom jewelry store as a bench jeweler as a CAD designer. During my free time I love to work in my studio creating one of a kind jewelry. I work in mostly sterling and fine silver and my favorite technique is Russian Filigree.
Sterling silver and Fine silver
Neck wrap
©2010, Natalie Freedman Knepp
October 2015
Return by Victoria Hall
I create objects of beauty rooted in historical and personal relationships. I am fascinated by the traditional metalsmithing techniques of ancient civilizations. Filigree is a technique that spans many cultures across the world. The swirling patterns and tight fitting spirals demand intense focus and an eye of the intricate. I have blended the techniques and patterns of several disciplines to create my own style of filigree. This process along with chain making and raising feed my passion for elaborate and methodical designs. It is a labor of love and a passion for challenging the material and myself, to push boundaries in order to fabricate the large and complex pieces that I envision. These historic techniques are my inspiration for objects of adornment and sculpture.
Sterling Silver, Fine Silver
© 2015, Victoria Hall
victoriasjewelrydesign@gmail.com
November 2015
Third Eye by Nicole Hanes
I have been very busy trying new things and I recently tried something a little more unusual (for me). This pendant which I named the “Third Eye” was made from a piece of Quartz which I polished to near lens quality and, when I saw the result, thought it could be used to magnify the filigree that I would set it over. The quartz magnifier has a pentagonal crystal shape due to it being a cross section of another piece I have of the same shape. As a result, it is a bit irregular which I really liked. I added a 5.25 carat Tourmaline Briolette to compliment the piece. I then had the idea that maybe I could put it on a hinge which would allow the viewer to see the filigree as it is, and then see it with the lens on top. As it happens the hinge position really lends itself to use as a magnifier of more than just the filigree. My husband says I should wear it to restaurants so I can read the menu.
Sterling silver, Fine silver
5.25 carat Tourmaline Briolette; Quartz
0.58″ x 1.50-75″
© 2015, Nicole Hanes
www.rubylane.com/shops/exoticgemdesigns
December 2015
Yuki by Ben Orron
This piece was inspired by my wolf dog Yuki. I transferred an image to the sheet of copper and chased the outline. I then repoussed the form to get the lift and chased the final details from the front. It was challenging experience but I learned a lot and enjoyed the process.
Yuki’s portrait was Ben’s first piece in my recent Eastern Repousse workshop at Creative Side Jewelry Academy in Austin, TX.
Copper
© 2014, Ben Orron
September 2015
Silver Slipper by Milt Fischbein
I have been hand fabricating jewelry in gold and silver for over 20 years. About a year and a half ago, I ordered Victoria’s Russian Filigree DVD and started creating filigree pieces. In June 2015, I attended Victoria’s Russian Filigree Workshop at The Ranch in Snohomish Washington. One of my goals was to learn how to make 3 dimensional filigree objects. With Victoria’s guidance, I created the prototype for Silver Slipper. I took those learnings back to my studio and created the Silver Slipper filigree piece that you see here.
The frame is 1 mm square sterling silver (carefully measured with a digital caliper), filigree wire is 26Ga twisted pair, prepared per Victoria’s standard for filigree and the stone is a 6 mm round blue topaz set in a prefabricated fine silver bezel cup.
I plan to create a small series of the Silver Slipper, using slightly different shapes and a variety of stones.
Sterling Silver, Fine Silver
6mm round blue Topaz
0.75″ x 1.75″
© 2015, Milt Fischbein
milt@mfmetalarts.com