I love to create one of a kind mini gardens out of sterling silver, and consider myself an artist, who doesn't work with paint or pencils but with sterling silver. These pretty oval earrings are one of a kind, with each tiny component handmade start to finish.
◦◦◦◦◦♢◦◦◦◦◦
Oval Garden Earrings // One of a kind
♢ Solid sterling silver (100% recycled)
♢ The flower and leaves are created in metal clay, which is made up of tiny, recycled sterling silver metal particles mixed with and organic clay like binder. It can be sculpted, molded, and formed however I want. For this design I have hand sculpted each leaf and used a little mold to create each tiny flower. After the design dries 100% into my kiln it goes for a two-part firing process. The clay reaches 1500℉ for about an hour and the organic binder burns completely away leaving a solid sterling silver mini sculpture in its place. It feels, looks, and acts just like regular sterling silver.
♢ I use traditional metalsmithing techniques to create the little seed balls, form the ovals and solder all the components together. On the back of the earrings I've stamped my trademark MP logo and .925 for sterling silver.
♢ A dark patina is applied to the recessed areas and the earrings 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 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.
