Re:Try

The boundary between practical and impractical metal jewelry is fluid, shaped and morphed by the wearer. What may seem cumbersome to one person can feel like a second skin to someone else. Defining practical jewelry becomes difficult when self-expression itself is seen as a kind of practicality. A piece that might appear impractical in form can evoke an emotional connection in another. Jewelry doesn't just sit on the body; it interacts with it. The body becomes a canvas on which metal adorns – whether quietly or boldly. Impractical forms and exaggerated volumes demand attention, sometimes even challenging the body in how they are worn. Practical jewelry, on the other hand, offers something to the wearer rather than demanding something of them. Somewhere between these two points is where this project exists.

This project started out as an exploration of practical jewelry and metal casting. But over time, I found myself more drawn to the expression of the metal itself. The resulting pieces explore varying levels of practicality through the process of tin casting. I experimented with both sand casting and plaster molds, and one piece incorporates bent aluminum elements. Nothing was wasted in this process – any failed attempts were simply melted down and recast into something new.