Valentine’s Day Jewelry, 2018

Sure Valentine’s Day is a bit of a questionable holiday, but in a way I think it’s nice to be reminded to think about people you love, and to reach out to them with small sweet gestures. I don’t think it should break your bank, or stress you out though. Lower the expectations, and if the mood strikes you, treat yourself! Make it fun, and by all means, if you want something say it! From what I have seen hinting at stuff gets you nothing but a lot of disappointment that your hints weren’t picked up on. In ways, men really are from Mars, and women are from Venus. If you’re talking to women, hint’s work great because we pick up on subtle indications of peoples needs. Many men do not, and I truly do not mean that as a dig, but if you just simply tell them a pair of earrings are cute and walk away, you are not going to get them.

As a jewelry artist I try to approach making Valentine’s Day jewelry like I hope people will approach the holiday. I try to have as much fun as humanly possible with it, and I definitely do not take it too seriously. Whimsy and things that are pretty, bold, and fun take the stage at my shop in Gatlinburg, TN this time of year, and also hearts…Lots and lots of hearts! I make hearts in all different color palettes, and if I’m working with traditional palettes I like to punch up the color contrast a bit to make the work sing. I have never really thought of myself as a “heart person,” but I have to say the first piece of heart jewelry I made changed my life! They literally make me feel happy when I’m wearing them. It’s one of the most unusual of the common shapes we see all the time, and kind of perfect in it’s symbolism. What better is there than love for yourself or another?

"I want someone to smile when they open a package of the glass jewelry I’ve made, and I hope you do!"

-Kimberly

I’ve used a variety of techniques to make my fused glass Valentine’s Day or You Day jewelry this year. Many pieces I’ve made use an enamel technique where I use a glass paint to create the design, then fire the pieces in a kiln to permanently set the enamel on the glass like a glaze. These pieces are finished with coiled wire details, combining whimsy and craftsmanship. Other pieces use a variety of techniques, namely etching and tack fusing both. To begin I carve out the glass shape, then etch a spiral design on one side of the heart. I like my jewelry to be unique and have a little bit of an unexpected quality to it, and the spiral gives the piece the right movement I’m looking for to help balance the cuts, shapes, and colors. After the heart is etched it’s fused at 1400 degrees to tack fuse the glass, which will bond the glass together, smooth the sharp edges and intensify the colors. Lastly I’ve done a few dichroic glass hearts that have much softer palettes. Here I’ve layered two different dichroic together, then tack fused the glass pieces, which enhances the luminosity. As always each piece is individually handcrafted and made with love and joy.