Owen McInerney
My designs are unique and are influenced by what I see around me in the everyday. Most of it is influenced by nature; above ground, in the skies and below the seas! Collecting flotsam on a beach for unique treasures is a favorite holiday pastime of mine.
Urban centers and architecture also play a significant role in what I make. Shape, color, texture, content, material composition and position, are all important to me, whether it's a tall building or a tiny pebble on the beach. A visit to Paris is all I need to get my juices flowing. The angle of a medieval building or the sheen of ancient armor spark something deep inside me - and ideas are stored for future use...I've been interested in making 'things' with my hands from a very early age. Before starting school, I remember watching my mother knitting and insisting on learning it too! Later, at age 13 I took metal-shop in school for several years and then won school prizes for my silver wire jewelry. I loved technical drawing and later did a degree in engineering design.
After a career in software design, I realized something big was missing in my life - I really missed working with my hands - and have finally made the transition back to making 'things' - beautiful things. I've attended San Francisco State University where I learnt the basics with the wonderful Julia Turner, taken various workshops at California College of Arts and Crafts and am a regular at Scinilliant Studios. Currently I am apprenticing with my friend and mentor Brooke Battles. And so, the next chapter of my life has begun...
Urban centers and architecture also play a significant role in what I make. Shape, color, texture, content, material composition and position, are all important to me, whether it's a tall building or a tiny pebble on the beach. A visit to Paris is all I need to get my juices flowing. The angle of a medieval building or the sheen of ancient armor spark something deep inside me - and ideas are stored for future use...I've been interested in making 'things' with my hands from a very early age. Before starting school, I remember watching my mother knitting and insisting on learning it too! Later, at age 13 I took metal-shop in school for several years and then won school prizes for my silver wire jewelry. I loved technical drawing and later did a degree in engineering design.
After a career in software design, I realized something big was missing in my life - I really missed working with my hands - and have finally made the transition back to making 'things' - beautiful things. I've attended San Francisco State University where I learnt the basics with the wonderful Julia Turner, taken various workshops at California College of Arts and Crafts and am a regular at Scinilliant Studios. Currently I am apprenticing with my friend and mentor Brooke Battles. And so, the next chapter of my life has begun...
Gretchen Walker
The jewelry I create is reminiscent of a more ancient time; like relics unearthed and altered with modern elements. It has been described as both bold and natural.
When I design a piece, my choice of materials is as important as my choice of subject. Design elements range from fossils and casts of once-living insects to orchids, aloe leaves, and semi-precious stones. I use pure silver in the majority of my work to provide an elegant setting for this natural subject matter. In addition, solid silver minimizes tarnish while appealing to an aesthetic of purity. My choice of subject and use of silver is often juxtaposed with more modern materials like Lucite, rubber, and polyethylene. By placing contrasting design elements and materials, I create anachronisms in my work intended to be noticed and inspire delight. I have a three-year Goldsmith's degree from Bishop State which I have supplemented with classes at Penland School in North Carolina and the Scintillant studio of San Francisco. I am always learning new techniques to incorporate into my designs. My work is further influenced by the experiences of my life, the people I love, and the opportunities I've had to travel outside of what I know. I am grateful to all who have supported and encouraged me along this path. I make jewelry because it makes me happy. I work with my hands to create objects that transmit to others a sense of pleasure and joy. I invite you to experience the delight of my work.
When I design a piece, my choice of materials is as important as my choice of subject. Design elements range from fossils and casts of once-living insects to orchids, aloe leaves, and semi-precious stones. I use pure silver in the majority of my work to provide an elegant setting for this natural subject matter. In addition, solid silver minimizes tarnish while appealing to an aesthetic of purity. My choice of subject and use of silver is often juxtaposed with more modern materials like Lucite, rubber, and polyethylene. By placing contrasting design elements and materials, I create anachronisms in my work intended to be noticed and inspire delight. I have a three-year Goldsmith's degree from Bishop State which I have supplemented with classes at Penland School in North Carolina and the Scintillant studio of San Francisco. I am always learning new techniques to incorporate into my designs. My work is further influenced by the experiences of my life, the people I love, and the opportunities I've had to travel outside of what I know. I am grateful to all who have supported and encouraged me along this path. I make jewelry because it makes me happy. I work with my hands to create objects that transmit to others a sense of pleasure and joy. I invite you to experience the delight of my work.
Kendra Renee Lawrence
“I’ve always loved making my own jewelry. At six years old, I made friendship bracelets for my friends and gem-encrusted tiaras for my dolls. Then I moved on to beads – plastic, glass, anything I could get my hands on – to make necklaces and bracelets to match all my outfits.
It wasn’t until college that I began to see myself as a jewelry artist. In 2007, I apprenticed with renowned artist and jewelry designer Melissa Finelli in Boston. She taught me to work with metal, which quickly became my favorite medium. I continued my studies – especially the interplay of light and movement – in Florence, Italy. I graduated from Wheaton College, outside of Boston, in 2009 with degrees in Studio Art and Art History, and moved to San Francisco to open my own jewelry business.
Running my own business gives me the freedom to experiment with design, shape and texture. I especially love designing three-dimensional pieces, often centering on circles, ovals or bowl shapes. My jewelry moves and lives with the wearer, while appearing distinct from every angle. My process begins with an idea or feeling for what a piece could become. Then I cut, form, forge and solder each piece into shape by hand, paying meticulous attention to each stage of the process. My work integrates shape, texture, color, weight, motion and light to create unique, elegant and wearable jewelry.I have enjoyed creating every piece in my collection and hope you find something that inspires you!”
It wasn’t until college that I began to see myself as a jewelry artist. In 2007, I apprenticed with renowned artist and jewelry designer Melissa Finelli in Boston. She taught me to work with metal, which quickly became my favorite medium. I continued my studies – especially the interplay of light and movement – in Florence, Italy. I graduated from Wheaton College, outside of Boston, in 2009 with degrees in Studio Art and Art History, and moved to San Francisco to open my own jewelry business.
Running my own business gives me the freedom to experiment with design, shape and texture. I especially love designing three-dimensional pieces, often centering on circles, ovals or bowl shapes. My jewelry moves and lives with the wearer, while appearing distinct from every angle. My process begins with an idea or feeling for what a piece could become. Then I cut, form, forge and solder each piece into shape by hand, paying meticulous attention to each stage of the process. My work integrates shape, texture, color, weight, motion and light to create unique, elegant and wearable jewelry.I have enjoyed creating every piece in my collection and hope you find something that inspires you!”
Sakura Haru
Sakura Haru presents to you visions brought forth by meditation, dreaming, and reflection. Raised in tropical Okinawa, Sakura has witnessed the complex history of humanity. As in many island countries, local customs thrive alongside foreign peoples/concepts. In Sakura's works, the heart-stirring aspect of nature is expressed in a painterly and sunny palette.
S. Haru seems to acknowledge that our mind is what we have to experience life's greater mysteries and subtle sentiments. In her "mindscapes", evocative shapes or energy silhouettes seem to bounce off and travel between apparent boundaries in form of heavy lines, planes, and/or colors. What these boundaries symbolize is diverse for every individual.
Color is monumental in Sakura's works and it instantly impacts the viewer's emotions. Orange, yellow and green are joyous, while blue reminds us the vastness of the sea and sky. Color is a universal language that speaks to our core.
When she portrays characters, the figures are never posed. They are usually alone, caught in a contemplative moment. Some of these characters dance in joy unfettered by the spell of self image.In 1998 at age 18, she came "home" to America for what felt like the first time. Sakura has always opted for a more personalized aesthetic that comes from epitomizing natural realism. The interpretation of what is "real" into an abstraction or caricature, demonstrates the imagination to grasp the essence and spirit of what is under the surface.
S. Haru seems to acknowledge that our mind is what we have to experience life's greater mysteries and subtle sentiments. In her "mindscapes", evocative shapes or energy silhouettes seem to bounce off and travel between apparent boundaries in form of heavy lines, planes, and/or colors. What these boundaries symbolize is diverse for every individual.
Color is monumental in Sakura's works and it instantly impacts the viewer's emotions. Orange, yellow and green are joyous, while blue reminds us the vastness of the sea and sky. Color is a universal language that speaks to our core.
When she portrays characters, the figures are never posed. They are usually alone, caught in a contemplative moment. Some of these characters dance in joy unfettered by the spell of self image.In 1998 at age 18, she came "home" to America for what felt like the first time. Sakura has always opted for a more personalized aesthetic that comes from epitomizing natural realism. The interpretation of what is "real" into an abstraction or caricature, demonstrates the imagination to grasp the essence and spirit of what is under the surface.
Vina Shih
Vina Shih Jewelry is the creation of Vina, a busy mother of two, who has a passion for making and designing modern jewelry.
Vina's jewelry designs are modern and feminine with an edge. Each piece is designed and handcrafted by Vina, based on inspirations found in the clean lines of nature, Chinese brush painting, and modern architecture. By combining hand-selected semi-precious stones with personalized metalwork in silver and gold, she creates simple and distinctive pieces that appeal to the modern woman who wants her jewelry to reflect her own unique style.
Since childhood, Vina has always enjoyed immersing herself in creative activities. This artistic side was relegated to the background while she pursued an MBA and a career in finance. The inspiration to create jewelry struck her on a trip to a colorful gem market in the Philippines. Not long after that, Vina started designing, and selling her pieces to colleagues and friends in New York. Having found her passion, she trained at the Jewelry Arts Institute in New York City where she learned the classical jewelry making techniques that serves as a foundation of her designs. With a thirst for knowledge about her craft, Vina continually studies and experiments with different techniques in metalwork and strives to incorporate these new skills in making jewelry that fits her evolving design aesthetic.
Vina's jewelry designs are modern and feminine with an edge. Each piece is designed and handcrafted by Vina, based on inspirations found in the clean lines of nature, Chinese brush painting, and modern architecture. By combining hand-selected semi-precious stones with personalized metalwork in silver and gold, she creates simple and distinctive pieces that appeal to the modern woman who wants her jewelry to reflect her own unique style.
Since childhood, Vina has always enjoyed immersing herself in creative activities. This artistic side was relegated to the background while she pursued an MBA and a career in finance. The inspiration to create jewelry struck her on a trip to a colorful gem market in the Philippines. Not long after that, Vina started designing, and selling her pieces to colleagues and friends in New York. Having found her passion, she trained at the Jewelry Arts Institute in New York City where she learned the classical jewelry making techniques that serves as a foundation of her designs. With a thirst for knowledge about her craft, Vina continually studies and experiments with different techniques in metalwork and strives to incorporate these new skills in making jewelry that fits her evolving design aesthetic.
Marc Gounard
Currently living with his family in Sausalito and creating his jewelry art in his floating studio. Marc is a Marine Engineer and has completed circumnavigation with his family aboard Imani, a self-built 33 foot Simpson Catamaran.
During his world travels he brought back many pieces and ideas, which are incorporated into his work including the golden scarab from the Valley of the Kings, Buddhas from India and cuff patterns designed in Chichén Itzá.
During his world travels he brought back many pieces and ideas, which are incorporated into his work including the golden scarab from the Valley of the Kings, Buddhas from India and cuff patterns designed in Chichén Itzá.
k. maley
A California native, Kathleen Maley has been making jewelry and art objects in San Francisco for over 13 years. Kathleen studied jewelry and metalsmithing at San Diego State University, then moved to San Francisco’s Mission District to live and work in The City’s diverse artist community.
She shares communal studio space with three other artists.
Kathleen creates sculptural jewelry that highlights the contrast between sterling silver and high karat gold vermeil, and can be found in galleries and museum shops across the country.
She shares communal studio space with three other artists.
Kathleen creates sculptural jewelry that highlights the contrast between sterling silver and high karat gold vermeil, and can be found in galleries and museum shops across the country.
Sarah Breivis
Chiaki Ikeda
Chiaki uses a combination of organic and geometrical shapes to express rhythm, movement and beauty. Her passion is to create something unique and one of a kind. Being an Isadora Duncan dancer and Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) artist, she believes that all her creative activities give inspiration to her jewelry design.
Simple and graceful, hand crafted contemporary jewelry with nature and cosmic inspired design.
All the original pieces are hand formed using sterling silver, copper; fine silver & gold PMC (precious metal clay)
with pearls and semi-precious stones.
Chiaki was born and raised in Japan and has a background in fashion design. After experimenting with
different mediums, she found metal arts very fascinating. She learned her skill at a jewelry design
studio in San Francisco and has been doing shows occasionally since 2005.
Simple and graceful, hand crafted contemporary jewelry with nature and cosmic inspired design.
All the original pieces are hand formed using sterling silver, copper; fine silver & gold PMC (precious metal clay)
with pearls and semi-precious stones.
Chiaki was born and raised in Japan and has a background in fashion design. After experimenting with
different mediums, she found metal arts very fascinating. She learned her skill at a jewelry design
studio in San Francisco and has been doing shows occasionally since 2005.