The Best of 2024: Top 10
Here are my favorite jewelry creations of 2024, from an upcycled wedding ring to botanical inspired designs and bespoke custom jewelry with personal touches. Read about each item's unique story of creativity, craftsmanship and connection.
- Upcycled Gold and Diamond Wedding Ring
When my neighbor asked me if I could update her engagement ring, I was excited to take on the task. The old ring had a setting which the diamond had fallen out of - the prongs just weren’t secure enough. She wanted the ring to be comfortable enough to wear every day and to have a more modern look. I melted down the old ring, rolled it out into an ingot and started shaping it into the band for the new ring. We chose a bezel setting for the diamond so it would be secure and durable. It’s an honor to be trusted with such sentimental jewelry and I’m elated I was able to give this ring a second life!
2. Tanzanite Flower Ring
Tiny botanical details are some of my favorite things to make, and this ring - and the earrings that match - have it all. The smallest flowers I’d ever made grace either side of the magnificent tanzanite stone. Ever since I made this ring, I have been experimenting with botanical details surrounding statement gemstones. It’s a theme I just can’t get over!
3. Sapphire Flower Earrings
The complement to the tanzanite flower ring, these earrings are like a fairytale dream come true. The way the clusters of leaves came together to drape around the teardrop frame was more seamless than I could have expected. Projects like this make me feel proud, like I’ve come a long way with my silversmithing skills!
4. Tiger's Eye Necklace
The pieces I make that are inspired by the people I love are always some of my favorites. This tiger’s eye necklace for my partner Chris is an excellent example of my more masculine style – not too frilly, streamlined and strong. It hangs from a Viking knit chain, hand-woven from a continuous piece of wire. The back of the pendant has a cutout of a carabiner to celebrate his love of canyoneering. These personal touches really make bespoke jewelry special.
5. Seafoam Tourmaline Leaf Ring
Back to the botanical details I love! This little leafy ring was a joy to make and I love knowing that it is an everyday staple for a dear friend of mine. I hope to keep making more of these botanical rings this year.
6. Monstera Earrings
After a dreamy trip to Kauai last spring, I came back recharged and inspired by all of the plant life of this lush jungle paradise. The monstera earrings were born out of this trip and by popular demand persisted all year long! This design is now a staple in my Flora Collection. I offer it in three different sizes and every pair is hand-sawed and refined, so each one is not quite like another.
7. Sydney Opera House Necklace
Representational artwork reminds me of the years I spent painting in college. I had never captured architecture in metal, mainly sticking to mountain ranges and more organic depictions. But the client who commissioned this piece trusted my capabilities, and it was revealing to see that I could also translate architecture into metal! I’m proud of how this piece turned out and how it pushed me to expand the breadth of my silversmithing repertoire.
8. Blue Tiger's Eye Men’s Statement Ring
Another piece I made for Chris this year made it on the Top 10 list! I had never made a men’s statement ring but had a vision in my mind’s eye of what this piece would look like. The pattern is inspired by the Shipibo art of Indigenous Peruvian people. I hope to play more with this theme and men’s jewelry in general.
9. Fossilized Dinosaur Bone Necklace and Earring Set in 14k Gold
These fossilized dinosaur bone cabochons were cut by an artist I met at a show in Corvallis, Oregon. Fiona is a fiber artist who also cuts stones and incorporates them into her work,-- check it out! I love the stones she chooses to work with and the shapes she cuts them into. I had been holding on to these for quite some time and knew they would be perfect for a set. When I met an amateur paleontologist at a dinner party, the pieces fell into place in my mind and I knew they were meant for her. I collaborated with her partner to bring this set to life. I never could have imagined making 14k gold triceratops skulls and I can only hope the opportunity will come my way again!
10. Pet Portrait Keychains
My best friend’s dogs are her children, not unlike my own. Making their portraits in metal seems like an obvious idea now, but it was only recently that it dawned on me! Capturing their likenesses in these multi-layered keychains was such a satisfying project. I can’t believe how much they actually look like her dogs! These keychains were a total success and I hope to make more pet portraits in the future.
That's a wrap for 2024! I am full of ideas and inspiration for the coming year and can't wait to see how it unfolds. Thank you for following along with me and supporting me in doing what I love.