Reflections on Connecting with Nature Through Jewelry

In August of this year, I attended a workshop at the Baltimore Jewelry Center. It was called Connecting with Nature through Jewelry and was taught by artist-sister duo Luci and Emily Jockel, a metalsmith and a ceramicist respectively.

Concept sketches with partially-finished pieces

The workshop was rather inexpensive and I almost decided not to go. I had recently recovered from Covid and prior to that, I traveled to Israel to attend a funeral for my father-in-law. It was and still is an incredibly difficult time for my husband and myself, and we had been through a lot in the last several years when we moved from Israel to the US.

All that aside, I’m grateful for the fiery spirit inside me that told me “Just go. Who cares if you’re late? You may experience something profound.” So I did.

I’m not sure what I’m looking for in terms of my metalsmithing journey - I am still very much a beginner, but with each class and workshop, I find that things are starting to make more sense. I’ve found that I can build upon my skillset using the knowledge that I have under my belt coupled with curiosity and problem-solving skills.

I don’t know what it was about that particular workshop - maybe it just happened at the right time in my life. I almost felt like I could just let go and let creation happen intuitively without overthinking.

A clay and brass pendant that came out of the workshop.

What I loved was the dual nature of the course with the sisters and their respective disciplines. I was always a generalist and found that multi-dimensional artwork resonates with me and my particular taste. I loved the idea of creating a single work that integrates elements that seem unrelated.

Emily taught us how to use air-dry clay and Luci taught simple tab setting. They also brought in beautiful organic materials from walnut shells, to acorns, to muskrat bones, leaves, flowers, and even butterfly wings (still have to figure out how to use those).

Hammered copper tab set mouse skull pendant

Before image of tab set fine silver piece. See below for finished piece.

While each technique was simple and beginner level, I was able to integrate them into the knowledge I had already built up from the previous courses in metalsmithing.

In short, I really love the results and am discovering new ways to put various materials together. I don’t know if I’ll always use organic and fragile natural materials in my work, but I’m still creating pieces inspired by that workshop and I wonder where that will lead in the future.

I’ve already thought about incorporating my works on paper, painting wood and tab setting it, maybe learning to use resin and preserving the butterfly wings.

I’m not sure if all of these ideas will come to fruition but if not, these ideas will spark other ideas that just might!

A fine silver pendant with tab set clay and shell