April’s Metalsmithing Challenge
Top Left: by Stacey Curry (@starhitchedwagonstudio). Hand forged sterling silver. Contact Stacey to inquire.
Bottom Left: Long & Short Polychrome Jasper Asymmetrical Statement Earrings by Christine Mighion (@christinemighion) Oxidized sterling and fine silver with polychrome jasper. Purchase here.
Top Right: by Julie Walser (@paolimerchantile). Sterling silver, oxidized, 7/5” long. Contact Julie to inquire.
Bottom Right: Charnel Cascade by Andrea Ring (@amuckdesign). Brass, copper, and sterling silver. Contact Andrea to purchase.
April’s Metalsmithing Challenge centered around a single statement earring, with the option of a more understated pairing — a concept inspired by an episode of All That Glitters.
It sounded simple at first. Almost easy. But once we got to the bench, it proved to be more of a challenge than expected. Letting go of symmetry, deciding where the visual weight should live, and rethinking how a pair relates… it asked us to approach things differently.
And that’s where it got interesting.
When one piece carries the presence, every choice becomes more intentional. Scale, movement, proportion… all of it matters in a new way. And if there’s a second earring, it shifts into a supporting role rather than trying to match.
There was a bit of a collective wrestle with this one, but that’s often a good (but frustrating) sign. Pushing just past what feels familiar tends to open up new directions we wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Not always easy… but definitely worth it.