Handmade Jewelry Blog by Jewelry Designer John S Brana
The creative process Blog of San Francisco Jewelry Designer John S. Brana. In-depth articles on designing and marketing handmade jewelry and handcrafted fine art jewelry.
Red Patinated Copper Tear Drop Earrings by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana
These Red Patinated Tear Drop Earrings are as beautiful as an autumn day. Featuring hues of Copper, Red, Maroon, and Brown, with a Raku-style texture. No two earrings are alike, making them truly unique.
Price:$65.00
Large Copper Tear Drop Handmade Earrings with Powder Blue Patina by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana
Simply blue-tiful! These streamlined blue patinated copper tear drop earrings offer the perfect pop of color for any ensemble.
Price:$55.00
Maroon Copper Patinated Leaf Handmade Earrings by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana
These gorgeous Maroon patinated Copper Lily Pad earrings truly make an artistic statement.
Price:$90.00
Facted Amber Sterling Silver Tree Branch Ring
Designer Jewelry – A Fountain of Inspiration
One only has to look at the wide selection of designer jewelry found in stores all around the world to know that there is a great deal of creativity to be found within the talented individuals in this field. But where does this fountain of ideas come from? Within this profession, the best artisans will look to a variety of sources for inspiration on how to create truly innovative designer jewelry. The ideas are already there. They just have to be sparked by a certain scene, event or emotion first. Afterwards, a first class fashion accessory can be brought to life.
Despite the fact that most people consider their neighborhood ordinary, the best jewelers show their true creativity by finding sources of inspiration within these local areas. The architecture in some districts can provide a range of design ideas that can then be used to create stunning pieces of jewelry from gold-filled pendants to wire wrapped earrings. This applies whether the buildings are modern or traditional, as creating a structure is just as much an art form as designing and forming an elegant piece of handmade jewelry. Both are great examples of the talent and ingenuity of humankind as a whole.
Copper Lily Pad Earrings with Red Patina
Nature – An Abundance of Inspiration for Designer Jewelry
Jewelers who love to travel can find inspiration further afield. Often, this leads to more exotic creations such as copper leaf earrings and coral bracelets. Of course, these ideas come from a range of sources as the world is full of breathtaking sights. Nature provides a lot of these, as mountains, oceans and plains are all beautiful scenes that can inspire a master jeweler to create a number of new designs. As well as this, the different cultures and people found around the world are also a fountain of ideas that can be used to create unique pieces of jewelry.
Finally, the best artisans will form their range of designer handmade jewelry from ideas that spring from within, drawing from experiences and emotions to create a range of items that most people will admire. These pieces are very personal as each contains a part of the craftsman’s past and inner psyche. This is how the best jewelry is often made as the creator desires the final product to be perfect. After all, rings, necklaces and bracelets inspired from mental and spiritual sources will need to properly reflect the character, thoughts and soul of the jeweler as he or she wishes.
Of course, a combination of all of these sources will create a more diverse range of jewelry, so it is not surprising that the best craftsmen are always on the lookout for inspiration no matter where they are. The spark can come at any time and so a jeweler must be aware of their surroundings to take advantage of any new ideas that suddenly pop into mind. Through this, they will be able to create a selection of earrings, bracelets and pendants that will be completely unique in this world and that will be snapped up by designer jewelry lovers worldwide.
Fold Formed Copper Leaf Earrings with Traditional Green Patina
The world of jewelry is truly diverse thanks to the range of artistic talent out there. When studying the many items available these days, it becomes clear that there are two major design styles in the jewelry world: organic and geometric. Both of these can be used to enhance the appearance in different ways.
Organic jewelry is typically made from natural products such as bone, shells or wood. It can also be created using irregular gemstones such as coral or pearls or by shaping different metals into organic patterns. Jewelers use these materials, along with some inspiration from various natural settings, to design their stunning organic jewelry collections.
Aluminum Brass Small Circle Earrings with Onyx
Geometric jewelry is the polar opposite of their organic counterparts. Made with regular shapes ranging from simple cubes and spheres to the more complex gemstone cuts, these items scream out to the world that man definitely was responsible for creating objects of this beauty. They can be just as stunning, if not more so, than organic jewelry depending on the situation.
Natural-looking items combining irregular shapes with organic colors exude a very casual feel. These pieces of organic jewelry are great for taking the edge off formal attire or making a playful dress or top even more colorful. Natural materials such as coral and Keishi pearls are completely unique in their appearance, so that jewelry such as the Carnelian necklaces from John S. Brana are one-of-a-kind.
As can be expected, geometric jewelry is better suited for plain or formal clothing. They provide the wearer with a look of elegance and style that would not be out of place in a high-class dinner or at a night at the opera. This type of jewelry is also great to bring out at big occasions such as proposals, weddings and anniversaries.
Copper Leaf Earrings with Blue Patina
Copper jewelry has been worn for hundreds of years, partly for health reasons as some believe that it enhances good circulation and eases the symptoms of arthritis. While those claims have not been scientifically verified, copper has been shown to possess antimicrobial properties (helping to keep away germs and illness). Still, it is more likely that the continued popularity of copper jewelry has more to do with its unique luster and color than it does with its germ-fighting ability!
Copper jewelry is often sought after by those who like an earthy, ethnic look but more and more it can also be found making an appearance among the collections of high end jewelry designers. It offers an affordable alternative to pricier rose gold due to its lovely pinkish hue when copper is at its most natural state. The warmth of copper also makes a pleasing contrast alongside silver’s cool tones.
Fold Formed Corrugated Copper Large Disc Earrings
Many artisans also enjoy working with this metal due to its durability and versatility. Over time, oxidation can cause unpolished copper to darken to a warm brown color which often enhances the look of jewelry pieces. Additionally, exposure to the elements causes untreated copper to form a bluish-green patina that is often coveted by those who appreciate a distinctive look. Talented jewelry designers use this natural discoloration of copper to create unique and innovative patterns and designs.
Uncoated bright copper jewelry can tarnish over time but can be easily restored to its original state. You can purchase commercial cleaning cloths or dip your jewelry in a bath of warm water, a few drops of lemon juice and some salt. Dry with a soft cloth and the original warmth and beauty of your pieces will quickly return. Note: silver polish should not be used on copper jewelry as it is abrasive and can mar the finish.
Handmade copper jewelry by John Brana uses a special process to produce a unique mottled patina in varying shades of blue, green, brown and black in other pieces among his extensive collection of copper jewelry. These pieces are also coated with a protective lacquer that prevents tarnish and stops the jewelry from staining the skin.
SoMa Collection – Watch for hammered silver and bronze rings set with faceted colored gemstones and cabochons – July 2008.
Nob Hill – Matching rings and pendants in sterling silver, vermeil, and 14K – 18K yellow gold – August 2008.
Muir Woods – NEW – Inspired by the natural beauty of Muir Woods, this collection will feature patinaed silver, copper, and bronze earrings, rings, and pendants in multicolored earthtones…just in time for fall – September 2008.
Here’s a new twist on an old favorite. This ring was fabricated (as apposed to casting) using Sterling Silver sheet and wire, oxidized to enhance detail.
My prior Anemone designs (seen here) were all hand sculpted using Precious Metal Clay (PMC). The benefits of fabrication vs. casting / PMC are: 1.) Longer Wear due to greater density (often years longer on ring shanks and prongs); 2.) Crisper and Cleaner detail of a design; 3.) Greater resistance to scratching; 4.) More brilliant polish.
If you are interested in finding out more about the fabrication process, I would highly recommend checking out Review: Art of Hand Fabricated Jewelry Design | All Things Metal Clay
Found over 20 years ago off the west coast of Florida on the beach at Sanibel Island, I ran across this little starfish the other day and decided to turn it into a ring. Handcrafted in Fine Silver using PMC(Precious Metal Clay), the ring is set with a 4mm faceted Peridot and finished with a patina to enhance detail.
Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August. According to folklore, Peridot brings its wearer success, peace, and good luck. Peridot has been found in Egyptian jewelry dating as far back as the early second millennium BC and was mined from the volcanic island of Zebirget, or St. Johns Island, in the Red Sea. Native Hawaiians referred to Peridot crystals as the tears of Pele, their goddess of fire.
This ring, along with other sea creatures can be found under my Sea Cliff Collection. Keep watching for more critters over the next few weeks.
I always get asked where I get my inspiration for my designs, so I thought I would share with you how I came up with these two rings. On October 15th, Nature aired “Oceans in Glass: Behind Scenes of the Monterey Bay Aquarium The Aquarium features over 30,000 animals and plants that live in replicated ocean environments, so after taking a drive down to Monterey this past weekend, I thought I would try to capture the beauty of Anemones currently on view at the Rocky Shore exhibit.I handcrafted these two rings in Fine Silver using PMC(Precious Metal Clay), then finished by applying a patina to enhance the detail. These two rings, along with other sea creatures can be found under my Sea Cliff Collection. I plan on adding a few more critters to the collection over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!
