The fusion of old world goldsmithing with modern design - Blog

Beyond the Rockz is featured in The Connecticut Bride Magazine

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:44:12 -0800

It is such an honor to be included in the Spring/Summer edition of The Connecticut Bride Magazine! This comprehensive wedding guide always features wonderful photos, fresh and modern inspiration, and of course a fabulous article right now on green & sustainable weddings! We went to Barnes & Noble in Enfield to pick up two copies (one his and hers set), and their website tells you where copies are currently being stocked throughout Connecticut.

Sunflowers and Opals

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 10:01:01 -0800

On the Mohawk Trail in Charlemont, Massachusetts, we discovered this beautiful field of sunflowers in full bloom.
Sunny bright yellows to chase away those end-of-summer blues!

Back at the bench, I made recycled gold settings for these custom earrings, and now they are ready for the opals to be set.

Salvaging old, discovering beauty

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:09:10 -0800

Here are some rings I recently completed. I made the sapphire ring (top row, middle) from the owner's family jewelry. The rest are made from recycled unwanted pieces. The process is compelling, and in a somewhat similar light, I recently came across more on John D’Agostino's fascinating work. He photographs the beauty of light meeting a rescued shard of Tiffany glass. "Luminous Moods in Shards of Tiffany" is best viewed in full screen. If you have a minute, please take a look and then share your thoughts here if you like.

The physicality of fabrication

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 20:50:53 -0800

Translation: The Lord is my light

I love the physicality of fabrication:
the hiss of quenching precious metal,
the smell of the materials,
the sound of my hammer ...

Tonight I made this pendant, starting with molten recycled sterling silver and old world hand methods. One sparkling vintage diamond is bead-set on top. Embellishing the personalized message is a cross on the bail, as well as detailed leaves and shell. Offering a glimpse into the past, the designs in this pendant were all handmade by a 19th century English craftsman, which I carefully embossed and then oxidized.

Gingerbread!

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:03:34 -0800

Click the photo for how to make this sweet cookie house on a mug ...

Ah, the spicy aroma of baking gingerbread! Making a gingerbread house from scratch is one of our favorite yearly traditions. Isn't this sweet little house perched on a mug wonderful?

Click the photo for detailed steps ...

This house looks exactly like ours. Well almost!

Many happy hands built our gingerbread house, which as you can see is piled with candy! Maybe one year we'll get serious and make one for show. Enjoy these festive days!

In Light of Family

Sat, 06 Nov 2010 15:02:40 -0800

Cuff links of Great Grandmother Aurora, her 22K gold chain and tablecloth

Long before she came to America, Great Grandmother Aurora owned a steamer trunk with beautiful hand-embroidered tablecloths passed down from family, including a few she made herself. Some sections are so elaborate that the supporting linen appears to be hidden. She's gone now, but the tablecloths are kept safe in the same steamer trunk with one or two brought out on special family occasions. Reminders of the importance of time, care and attention to detail.

When Great Grandfather Antonio married Aurora, he gave her a very long 22K gold chain. A traditional gift for the bride that took Antonio years of saving. With much of that from working the farm, there are a few family stories having to do with hard work, ingenuity and making do with what one has. Before she passed on, Great Grandmother Aurora asked me to divide the chain in three. One for each grandchild. (One is shown in the very first photo above.) Around the time I worked on the chain, I came to realize something that family was telling me all along:
What changes isn't as important as what never changes.

A favorite suit of mine. One day I hope to own one made by Lorenzo.

Cousin Lorenzo is a tailor who specializes in custom suits. He lived in New Jersey for a while but has moved back home to Italy. Passed down to him from his father are old world hand methods that he carefully applies even to the layers that will never see the light of day. Without any real discussion he managed to teach: Value without compromize.
Affordable luxury.
Quality without cutting corners.

Family strengthens one's identity and connects us to what is important. And so my work is an alchemy of traditional techniques and sensibilities as I strive to create an aesthetic that forges an emotional connection.

Highlight of the day

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 14:58:20 -0800

Near the Main Street Bridge in Fairhaven.

A Sunday drive, enjoying the foliage, followed by a visit with friends at a nearby car show.

My friend Jon made a template for me so I could present the photos as shown here. To see some of his other creative work, click the photo.

Then another picturesque drive, this time stopping at a big old barn.
Inside streaming light revealed a DeLorian underneath a plastic covering thick with dust. What a find!

Discovering this DeLorean in an old barn was the hightlight of the day.

A refreshing break away, and then back to finishing a custom project.

Reflections of a Master

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:29:35 -0800

Gold. Warm and glowing.

Tonight when I was refining 24K gold to hand forge into wedding bands, the treatises of Benvenuto Cellini that I reread earlier today came to mind. I'm drawn to the techniques of old masters to preserve methods of the Old World, and Renaissance Italian goldsmith Cellini wrote in detail with a conversational style. I forgot the page turning, and as if transported to the 1500s, standing next to him, observing his work first-hand it was as if he spoke to me:

"Now my friend, in order to keep my promise with you as to the real practical things, and to show you that I'm not one who goes cribbing other people's ideas & methods but has worked them out with his own hands ..."

Preserving the story. Untouched by mass production.

Nights are cooling

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:21:45 -0800

There is a centering clarity to my work. A discipline that allows being in the world while still being in touch with the soul.

With the window open, the fragrance of flowers is carried in on a breeze. A breeze with the slightest chill, reminding me that warm autumn hues will replace bright summer colors very soon.

And so the pace quickens just a little because I refuse to rush my work. I've got new designs to finish and favorite pieces to reshoot ...

Postcard from New Zealand

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 12:53:21 -0800

Yesterday I received this beautiful postcard from a faraway friend.
How exciting to hear from Heidi who is in New Zealand! We share the same glowing enthusiasm for stained glass, and with her extensive travel and wonderful photography, Heidi's discoveries always fascinate.

This postcard from The Nelson Provincial Museum features "Weave", designed by Jo Ogier and constructed by Robyn Hall and Glass Craft of Nelson. On the back is a detailed description of the work, the process, and each panel. The luxuriantly-colored stained glass represents historic and natural symbolism tied to the Nelson region.
So much treasure in one little piece of mail!