The Cutting Edge

I made this brooch when I was pregnant over four years ago. It was for a show in pre-Katrina New Orleans at Tom Mann's gallery. If you don't know about Tom's jewelry, be sure to check it out. He is one of my heroes (and a hero to many artists) in the realm of design, metalsmithing, and making art for a living.

One of the things that I love about the heart garden brooch and this funky ring I made in art school (above) a few years ago is the technique of piercing, or sawing within a piece of metal. One of my favorite reference books, The Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight says "though it is a deceptively simple technique, piercing is not only an extremely versatile process, but a preliminary step in many other procedures. When done correctly, sawing is a relaxed and rhythmic experience." And this "relaxed and rhythmic experience" is one of the reasons I love it.

Sawing metal is kind of like life: if you clench your teeth and try to force it, it doesn't work well. If you realize it might be hard, but decide you are going to enjoy the process anyway, the piercing (and life) usually is much more enjoyable. You can't be in a hurry, or you end up doing stupid things to your hands and fingernails. I have witnessed many hurried students and saw blade accidents in the studio, which is not pretty.

So although it is potentially dangerous - probably another reason I like it - piercing is definitely my thing. I am working on some new designs with my little saw that will be ready later this year. This is what makes my heart beat faster: new designs, finding new ways to apply old techniques, staying curious.