dGalleries

This Website is provided so that you may see what sort of metalsmith I am. As a matter of fact a metalsmith, traditionally, did not make jewelry... they made bowls, plates, flatwear, teapots, etc... Which is one reason why I use the put-together word: “Metalartist” The other? I just like playing with words.

The images of jewelry on this site represent a portion of what has been made over 17 years, not including things prior to becoming a full-time “metalsmith”. Many commissions have been made over the years that were not photographed, as were many pieces that needed to get to galleries before I had time to photograph. There are even images still in slide form that haven’t been converted to digital.

Rarely have I sold items over the internet. I prefer not to compete with galleries that work so hard to sell my jewelry, so that I may continue to pursue making one-of-a-kind works of art. Were I to try to run my own gallery, I know that my artistic side would suffer. It's difficult to make enough jewelry to keep galleries adequately stocked... much less take on the task of hiring, training, paying, plus benefits... as well as advertising, selling, buying fixtures, etc... all of which takes vast portions of time, and money, away from the bench.

Please support small businesses... so that artists may survive through Galleries that cherish their artists and treat them with respect. We each make life worth living by supporting businesses that bring us a quality of life that cannot be matched in the corporate world of mindless consumer "goods". Not that there is not a place for them but, I feel, they have greatly abused their place in our world. And we, as “consumers” (we’re not customers anymore?), have contributed to this... and other things... with our wallets.

An overwhelming amount of jewelry coming into the country is made with as much sweatshop labor as textile manufacturers, not to mention the diamond industry, and it is hurting “The Arts” in this very tight economy. Some of the first people to “die off” in a challenging economy, with a continuous tide of regulation, heavy tax/fees/fines, and loss of Rights, are artists. Many friends are having to find other avenues for income, including myself.

About 5 years ago I began publishing to offset the loss of galleries (Thanks W), and to build my own little sustainable home... So that what I love to do does not become what I have to do. So, what you get is what I make... with my own bare hands... from scratch! Very few items are duplicated... there are a few... but even those may vary.

Fortunately, my most recent pursuit has been a fun, healthy, educational and artistic venture. Publishing calendars of sustainable homes... Traveling and photographing homes that people have built themselves and are living, mostly, off-grid ("Off the Map" - movie). This inspired me to build my own (with help from family & friends)... now in process.