Making of The Vaulted Collection
The Vaulted collection features a functional aesthetic that is carried by a simple yet sophisticated design.
This collection began with the Vaulted necklace, a large clean statement piece that then evolved into a functional design - a button pusher, hands free contraption of sorts - I was at the grocery store and was highly aware of buttons I had to press at check out and the strong desire not to touch them. Then I thought about the Vaulted necklace which I happened to be wearing and how I could use that to push the buttons instead. And so the functional aesthetic was born.
The two styles of earrings in this collection were an easy transition from the necklace. One larger pair of studs (a now staple in my wardrobe) and the tiny, delicate wire threaders, that are linked even more strongly to my minimalist aesthetic.
Most of my collections start with a spark of inspiration: like a shape, or edge or glimpse of something I see that I then carry in mind and which my imagination won’t let go. That is true of the beginning of this collection. I saw a curve, an arch and couldn’t let the image go so I had to form it in metal.
The Vaulted Collection was inspired by the curves and arches found in architecture and bridges around the Pacific Northwest but simplified to fit my minimalist aesthetic. The arch is prevalent in a lot of my designs - the initial spark for the idea came from the Artist Way - the idea of a creative U Turn (you can read more about that here) and so for these pieces I wanted to push the arch further and see where it would go.
I began my process knowing I wanted to use the arch. So I sat at my bench and just started to play with my materials. Different gauges (thicknesses) of wire will create very differently aesthetics even in the same shape so I often experiment with multiple sizes of wire repeating the shape over and over until the right one “speaks” to me.
I made the Vaulted Pendant way back in July and it just sat on my bench waiting for me to bring it to life with chain. On a whim I decided to use thick brass snake chain as I wanted to wear the pendant and that chain was all I had. Once I put it all together it just worked and the idea for the collection was born.
I began creating the arch shape over and over at my bench in different thicknesses of wire trying to find just the right combination.
After I created the shiny smooth version of the Vaulted Necklace I realized I wanted to add something extra to the design and I began experimenting with an eco friendly etching technique. I have actually been teaching this class for several years but it was only this last Summer that I began to work in etching brass. (If you want to learn how to etch brass or copper you can find my class info here). The finish turned out extra beautiful and inspired the etched version of the Vaulted Necklace.
Etched brass before patina and finishing.
My eco friendly etching station, you can see the pendant in the foreground amongst some other etched brass pieces.
I take notes on all of my production pieces so I can easily recreate them. It’s interesting/weird as a lot of my pieces have the same measurements.
Using a cup bur on the ends of the wire really helps round the edges. No one should get stabbed!
Do you like this collection? Does it resonate for you? Would you use the necklace at an ATM, or an elevator? Let me know in the comments.
