Meet The Metalsmiths! (With Guest Curator Jess of MetalSmitten)

Curator’s Note: You may remember MetalSmitten from one of our earliest Solo Exhibits. Recently, she put together an Etsy Treasury of narwhals (yes, narwhals!) that had me banging on her door with the offer of a Guest Curator stint. Here are the results of her well-trained eye. Enjoy!

As an absolute devotee to the art of metalcrafting, I can’t help but to want to showcase some of the lesser-known metalsmiths on Etsy! When I first joined Etsy in 2006, the number of active metalworkers on the site could probably have been counted on my hands. It is such a labor of love, and requires so much patience and skill, that I am simply in awe of how many talented metalsmiths now share their work with us!

Meet The Metalsmiths

1. Nova Of Sweden
Talk about attention to detail! This artist has a definite style: big, bold attention-grabbers with loads of tiny details. Even the backs of her rings have design elements that make them truly stand out as the unique wearable artforms that they are.

2. Jane Deaux
A self-taught metalsmith, Jane Deaux has a little bit of everything! From basic earrings with handmade earwires, to mega-stacks of up to twelve stacking rings, to statement pieces with gorgeous oversized stones. I really admire those artists who are so passionate as to be able to teach themselves their craft.

3. Gem Heaven
An artist from the UK, this shop often combines handwrought sterling silver with beads for a look all its own. GemHeaven features some items you don’t see too many of on Etsy, like cufflinks for the gentlemen or stud earrings for the ladies who don’t do the danglies.

4. Hightower Botanicals
Featuring extremely life-like jewelry of basil leaves, oregano and rosemary, this shop is like an herb garden made of precious metals. There’s also maple seeds (you remember helicopters and rhinoceros noses, right?) and other assorted goodies. I can’t believe this shop only has nine sales!

5. Hartley Studio
I just can’t help myself, the items in this shop are so cute! Little silver clouds floating on a pendant, or wee birdies sitting on a branch for earrings… adorable but truly elegant at the same time. This artist puts a definite twist on even simple designs.

6. KH MetalWork
Not only does this shop feature bold and intricately textured designs, the artist actually melts, alloys and mills all their own metal! Truly handmade, from start to finish. Taking it one step further. Bravo.

7. AF Metalsmith
Metalworking is one of the oldest crafts in human history, and AF Metalsmith takes us back in time a little with her exquisitely detailed Celtic inspired art jewelry. But not being limited to just one style, she also showcases a wide variety of other techniques and designs, with enamel work and handmade chain to name a couple.

Metal is one of the few craft materials that can truly last lifetimes. It can be lovingly passed down from one generation to the next, or it can be buried as treasure or lost at sea; but regardless, metalwork is here to stay and I applaud the myriad of ways that artists continue to take an old medium to new heights.