Scraps & Filings
All my jewelry is hand-crafted in sterling silver, many with gemstones. I’ve been creating my own line of jewelry for over 20 years and have been in many hand-crafted shows over the years. Currently, I work from my home studio in Longmont, Colorado. Previously, my studio was based out of Philadelphia, PA, where my jewelry collection was present in galleries throughout the East Coast. I have Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in metalsmithing from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, PA as well a degree in photography from the Art Institute of Philadelphia.
I started at the Art Institute of Philadelphia in photography and what I found myself doing was constructing objects out of photographs. So I became fascinated with sculpture and manipulation, which lead me to my metalsmithing degree focused on sculptural elements. But living in a tiny house in Philadelphia, I didn't have outdoor space for welding at my house, so I found myself miniaturizing a lot of my work, which in turn led me to jewelry design and creation.
I believe in letting the metal find its way, the gemstones speak to me, and pull inspiration from nature often. All my pieces are hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind. I want people to have an organic personal attraction to the pieces…something that speaks to you. Being "imperfectly perfect" is all part of the process.
Nature and emotional response feed into the design, but the metal in many ways tells me what it wants to do and I just go with that. It’s a little like having children. You have to sometimes just let go and let the art go its own way and just learn from that.
I don’t keep a notebook. I’d tried that in school but it just didn’t connect for me. It didn’t help me tie what I was seeing mentally to what I needed my hands to do. I do a lot of modeling out of less precious materials – clay or whatever. Generally, I start something from the beginning and it starts in my head and it just evolves. Sometimes it takes me to a place that’s surprising. But I don’t start out with a set plan.
Every single piece is very personal to me--every piece is something I would wear. That’s meaningful to me. If I am putting it out there for someone to buy, it is because it is special to me and I hope it will be special to you, too.
No piece is ever really “done", I stop when I think it just feels right – emotionally, textually. It just feels like it’s enough. The material just gets to have its own journey.
I enjoy working from my home studio in Longmont, Colorado, with my faithful studio dog Mara by my side. The other half of my business name is from Mara’s cousin Luna in Santa Barbara, CA.
Peace ~ Rachel Mitchell
