Inspired by local wildflowers I have handmade these one of a kind earrings using solid sterling silver and tiny purple Amethyst gemstones. The earrings are slightly different from each other, but perfectly balanced.
Wildflowers have a special place in my heart. They grow wherever the wind blows them and they bloom when no one is looking. In unexpected places they flourish and provide beauty wherever they happen to take root.These are inspired specifically by purple asters, there are a few different kinds that grow wild around Calgary (my home city.) The Aster also happens to be the birth flower for the month of September.
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Amethyst Aster Statement Earrings // One of a Kind
♢ Solid sterling silver (100% recycled)
♢ The flowers and tiny leaves are created using metal clay, which is made up of tiny recycled sterling silver particles mixed with an organic, clay-like binder. It can be sculpted, molded, and formed however I want. Once the design components are completely dry, they go into my kiln for a two part firing process. The clay reaches 1500℉ for about an hour, during which the organic binder burns away, leaving behind a solid sterling silver.
♢ I create the rest of the earrings using traditional goldsmithing tools and techniques, forming by hand the shapes and soldering on each tiny component.
♢ I apply a dark patina to the recessed areas of each earring, and they go into my tumbler with steel shot to harden and polish the surface. The high points are polished to a bright shine, creating a beautiful contrast. This contrast between dark and light is what sterling silver is famous for!
♢ The butterfly style earring backs are a step up in quality, and these are bit of a larger size, since the earrings are of a larger size themselves. Since studs are my go-to earrings I have found from experience that a nicer ear backing was needed to hold up in regular use and keep your earrings on!
♢ The process of creating is slow and intentional, I use traditional metalsmithing tools and processes alongside modern ones to create all my pieces by hand. My heart goes into every single piece I design.
