San Francisco is a truly charming city where talented artists frequently show their skills to the public.  As we are starting 2009, JWR takes you to the city by the bay to meet skillful designer John S. Brana, and talk about his background, ideas, and his new collection. Late last year, new work in fine jewelry by the otherwise bridge category designer proved favorable to the crowd at the "Designers by the Bay" event held at Shreve & Co. in San Francisco.  The newcomer ... Read More

New work in fine jewelry by the otherwise bridge category designer, John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry, proved favorable to the crowd at the Designers by the Bay event held at Shreve & Co. August 21.  This newcomer to the list of 20 established fine jewelry exhibitors showcased stunning textured cuffs, sculpted earrings and intricate filigree scrollwork in 18K and 14K gold and fine silver with gemstones.  Perhaps his most beautiful new design is a ... Read More

  Niche- Artists Showcase - A special section highlights some of the best artists you will find in NICHE.  Purchase works for the busy season ahead.  Page 96. San Francisco-inspired wearable art jewelry by John S. Brana includes anticlastic, hammered, filigree, and beaded gemstone collections in silver, copper, 14kt - 18kt gold and bronze.  Read More

Anamika wears Brazilian Fire Agate Pendant from the SoMa Collection and Two Anticlastic Copper Bracelets from the Sea Cliff Collection Anamika wears Corrugated Sterling Silver Cuff and Jellyfish earrings from the Sea Cliff Collection along with a Smoky Quartz Cocktail Ring from the Pacific Heights Collection. Anamika wears Crystal Quartz, Citrine, and Onyx Beaded Gemstone Necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection and a Large Faceted Citrine Cocktail Ring from the Pacific Heights Collection Anamika wears Hammered Silver Earrings from the SoMa Collection Anamika wears Jellyfish Earrings ... Read More

Jewelry collections by John S. Brana are on target with the Fall 2008 Ready-to-Wear designer runways. The Fall 2008 season is characterized by gray being the new black…again, the maxi dress in bold patterns and red-carpet glamour, and rich textured fabrics ruched, frayed and displayed in origami folds. Not to be overlooked however, chunky beaded necklaces, jeweled teardrop earrings and undeniable cuffs all played strong supporting roles in collections of main fashion houses. Iconic designers including Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, ... Read More

Over the last few weeks, I've been experimenting with various textures and techniques to perfect my skills at anticlastic raising. This bracelet was done in sterling silver using traditional anticlastic raising techniques. I tried to pay particular attention to minimizing marring by the forming hammer, sanded using 400, 700, and 1000 grit sandpaper, then buffed to a mirror finish. The next texture I tried was chasing. Chasing is a technique that is used to groove, furrow, channel , or indent ... Read More

I have recently been experimenting with anticlastic raising using sinusoidal stakes to add an extra dimension to forging. The stake resembles a tapering wavy line, or what I like to refer to as the "Devils Tongue." Metal can be forged into a concave curve along its face while the opposing curves can be formed at the same time. It's great for forming a bangle, ring, or necklace. A sinusoidal stake can be made from wood, steel, or plastic, ... Read More