Creating Unique Pieces
Many people ask, “Do you take custom orders?” My answer? A resounding “YES!” I absolutely adore crafting one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrate special moments for you and your loved ones. Whether it’s for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, or any cherished occasion like Mother’s and Father’s Days, I’m here to help. I also create heartfelt memorial pieces for loved ones and even pets, using mementos, old photos, and found objects transformed into beautiful treasures in silver, bronze, brass, and copper.
Every piece starts with a photo or a story, and can be crafted into stunning pendants, necklaces, bracelets, charms, or rings. The only time I might decline a commission is if I’m limited by time, skill, or materials (like wedding bands or solid gold). If that’s the case, I’ll gladly connect you with a trusted colleague who can bring your vision to life.
Got a question or want to learn more? Use the contact form below to start the journey! And don’t forget to scroll down to see some inspiring examples of commissioned pieces!
Forever in Bloom: A Unique Wedding Bouquet
August 2023
When wedding bells rang in Holland, Michigan, they brought with them a unique gift: a bouquet of copper tulips! These custom-designed, hand-fabricated tulips were crafted to complement the couples’ centerpieces, which featured real flowers. Each table bouquet included a single copper tulip, creatively showcasing the table numbers. After the festivities, the couple collected the tulips, and now they proudly display them in a beautiful vase in their new home.
Rudy's Reliquary
September 2012
I crafted this locket during a course at the Maryland Institute College of Art, taught by the talented Damon Thompson, titled “Box it and Locket.” Inspired by Victorian mourning jewelry, which often held a lock of a loved one’s hair, I wanted to create a piece that honored my beloved cat, Rudy, who passed away a few years prior.
To memorialize him, I placed a tuft of fur given to me by the vet beneath a watch crystal in the locket’s inner chamber. The exterior is made from beautifully domed nugold, adorned with a bezel-set glass crystal that allows light to illuminate the interior. Surrounding the crystal are three rings of dots, with the outermost circle consisting of 14 holes, symbolizing the years Rudy graced my life. The three concentric circles represent the additional three years the vet said I helped him live through the care and medication I provided during his battle with small cell lymphoma.
Finally, a silhouette of a cat captures the spirit of Rudy, dancing among the clouds. This locket serves as a cherished tribute to his memory, keeping his spirit alive within its precious confines.
Birds I View
June 2011
This pendant was created entirely by hand as an avant-garde decorative piece meant to be worn as a pendant. My intentions in the creation of this piece were to experiment with new materials and techniques in metalsmithing and fabrication; specifically using custom bezel settings for a prosthetic eye, carving and finishing, using primarily natural materials. The picture bezel (glass and silver frame) is also hand made to fit a traditional painting of a bird.
Custom Bridesmaids Jewelry
September 2005
Having acquired basic jewelry skills in 2005, I set out to create unique, handmade pieces for my bridesmaids and chuppah holders at my wedding. I honed my metalsmithing skills in silver, glass, and gold at the Cambridge School for Adult Education in Harvard Square. For each bridesmaid, I crafted a necklace featuring dried Queen Anne’s lace set against silk from my own gown. Each piece was encased in glass, framed with a sterling silver bezel, and strung on a necklace adorned with glass and crystal beads. To complement the necklaces, I also made matching bracelets for each chuppah holder, creating a cohesive and meaningful collection.
A Symbol of Unity
September 2024
When a good friend reached out to ask if I could design a wedding bangle for his soon-to-be stepdaughter, I was honored. He envisioned a bracelet made of three strands tied together in a knot, symbolizing the wedding idiom of “tying the knot” and the union of him, his bride, and her daughter as a new family.
As the design process began, the couple decided to add a more feminine touch, incorporating a blossom element. This introduced a new challenge: finding a balance between the blossom and the knot. To achieve this, I added a second knot with a twist. While keeping the original triple knot intact, the second knot evolved into on strand running alongside the other two entwined, representing my friend’s entry into the lives of his wife and stepdaughter. The triple knot ultimately completed the narrative of their new family, beautifully intertwining their stories.
The Queen Bee: a Tribute in Design
May 2022
Celebrating individuals who embody selflessness is a wonderful opportunity to create something truly unique. Recently, I had the privilege of designing a special piece for a remarkable woman being honored for her decades of public service. Her colleagues affectionately called her “The Queen Bee,” a fitting tribute to her leadership and impact. With her love for bold brooches and her fondness for the color purple in mind, I designed and hand-fabricated a striking brooch in the shape of a queen bee. The thorax and eyes were crafted from beautiful amethyst, symbolizing her strength and grace. This piece serves as a heartfelt homage to her remarkable contributions and the admiration she inspires in those around her.
Silver Magen David with Topaz
August 2007
I always find myself with leftover silver scrap. Unlike paper, which might easily be discarded, every ounce of silver—no matter how small—can be transformed into something precious. One day, as I sifted through my scraps, a Jewish Star emerged in my mind’s eye. I added two 3mm settings for topaz cabochons, creating a piece that held deep meaning. I ultimately lost that creation to my mother, who loved it so much that she took it without even asking. To this day, it remains with her. Those two stones serve as a beautiful reminder of our close bond. My mom has always been my biggest supporter in my artistic journey, and I am forever grateful for that. While not all parents believe in a career in the arts, my parents consistently encouraged me, instilling the belief that with dedication, one can achieve mastery and find fulfillment both emotionally and financially.
What the Sun Will Bring
February 2020
This custom necklace, created for the 2019 Halstead Jewelry Design Challenge (earning an Honorable Mention) themed “connection,” embodies the relationship between science and art, a daily focus of mine as a medical illustrator. Influenced by pioneers Karl Blossfeldt and Anna Atkins, I aimed to capture nature’s beauty. Blossfeldt’s close-up plant photography inspired my vision of metal creations reflecting natural forms. Meanwhile, Atkins’ groundbreaking cyanotypes of algae taught me to appreciate the elegance of silhouettes formed through chemical reactions. Designed to be interchangeable, this piece transforms into a brooch and two bracelets. I approached the project as a science experiment, testing techniques and asking questions. My focus was on creating cyanotypes under vintage watch crystals and sculptural representations of botanicals, echoing Blossfeldt’s imagery. I inscribed my own poem on the brooch’s backside, expressing anticipation for what the sun will reveal:
Though I’ll wait 17 years to hear the songs they sing,
On the morrow, I shall wake to what the sun will bring.
A bat mitzvah gift to my niece
May 2022
Several years ago, I attended a fun workshop on electrolytic etching, where I learned to etch my own designs on silver and copper surfaces. I printed these designs on blue PNP paper, which I used as a frisket on metal to etch my creations. I included my name as well as those of my son, daughter, and niece. When my niece’s bat mitzvah came around, I transformed one of these designs into a unique pendant. I added some botanical embellishments and stones, featuring her Hebrew name, Chana Sarah (on the left), alongside my own, Yosefa Leah (on the right).