| Chantal Lise Saunders
Designer,Metalsmith |
I find myself intently working to finish a new design, eager to try it on and look at it lying against my skin, alive with movement. The body is the best showcase of my work, even the subtle movement of the life breath catches the light that shines from my jewelry. When I am commissioned to make a piece for someone I always like to meet them, to see their face shape and understand the curve of their neck and wrist, to know a little about them and feel their energy. Jewelry is often, such a personal object that a favorite piece needs to be custom made and shaped to fit. I carry the memory of that person in my mind while making the custom piece, adding thoughtful pieces of my spirit with my hands.
I have always been fascinated with the everlasting qualities of precious metals. Old precious artifacts found at the bottom of the sea or in the layers of the earth, covered over by time and the elements survive to impress me with the tales of a time gone by. Throughout jewelry's history, precious metal work has been sold and melted down in times of hardship or reformed into ornaments of the times. This recycling of materials fuels my daydreams.
My journey of learning about metals began with sculpture at university; I then immersed myself deeper into the technical aspects of metallurgy at technical school. I stumbled into jewelry apprenticeships that expanded my metal work to a smaller scale. I am still awe-struck that a hot flame can soften and temper the hardness of metals; it can join them with a permanency that will out last me and can liquefy what is seemingly insoluble. My passion is for both design and fabrication. My designs are inspired by human truth, the vastness of the imagination, and the simplicity of nature, both organic and mathematic. My construction methods are inspired by the many studio jewelers who came before me, shining a light on the powers of simple hand tools and basic materials.
With hand tools I fabricate every link in every chain from wire or sheet metals; nothing is cast or reproduced mechanically. I do not have any assistants or use jigs, the bends and curves are individually created with the twist and turn of my hands and pliers. No two links are exactly alike to reflect the beauty of the chain, the wearer and to give expression to the power of chance in art.Each link is individually soldered for durability and strength. Made from solid precious metals, care and cleaning is simple. It will provide you with a lifetime of enjoyment. This is the jewelry you can wear all day, even in the shower! And because of its simple elegance, you can wear it dressed up in the sparkle of night.
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CREATIVE SILVER CHAINS
Lark Books 2005
You can learn to make your own beautiful chains with my new book!
I'll take you through the steps to set up your own studio, create jewelry from start to finish with tips and techniques for soldering, polishing and design. A great book with lots of insider tricks!
click here to buy now
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