Suzanne Schwartz Jewelry
About The Artist
Suzanne Schwartz • Katonah, NY
Jewelry • WHOLESALE AVAILABLE • CUSTOM COMMISSIONS
I gravitate towards texture, form, and intersecting lines. My signature style involves intricate design details and using metal as a textile. My grandmother taught me to sew and knit; Her influences are evident in my work. With every piece, I strive to create harmony, combining the unexpected stitch with metal. The stitching is used as a texture, while the rest is fabricated using traditional metalsmithing techniques.
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Q&A with the ArtistTell us how your work is made.My inspiration comes from nature, architecture, and fashion. It might be the way fabric layers or drapes, or a pattern or texture I spot on a walk with my dog. I take this inspiration into my studio and start playing with how to translate it into the metal with stitching. Once I’m satisfied with a design, I’ll cut and finish the metal and determine where my stitches will go, so I know where to drill the holes. Sometimes I create a pattern with my stitching, but often it’s freeform. I use fine silver or 22k gold wire for my stitching. As I weave the wire through each hole, I carefully pull it tight with pliers until I feel a stretch. It’s essential that every stitch is tight enough to keep its shape and stay in place. Each material has its own characteristics, so I need to consider this. There’s a delicate balance between tight stitches and too tight, so the wire breaks. It doesn’t happen often, but I have to start over when it does. |