Behind the Scenes in the CHD Studio: Hand Fabrication

Did you know I make all my metal components for my jewelry by hand? I generally assume that if you're here and a fan of mine, you know- on some level, the work and magic that goes into making Christina Holland Designs jewelry and accessories. 

Occasionally I'll get asked “where do you buy your…” charms, pendants, bracelet pieces, clasps, etc… Sometimes it's another jeweler looking for new options for their own work, and sometimes it's a curious customer wondering where I source my supplies (kudos to those that ask questions about ethical sourcing- it's important to me as well and I do my best to research and ask questions when I'm shopping too).

The truth is I buy sheets of metal and spools of wire and I hand-fabricate all my design components! 

Those intricately cut hand earrings or monstera pieces? I hand cut them from sheet metal using a jewelers coping saw (pictured above).

The designs I cut from sheet metal, beyond just the monstera leaves and witchy hands, then get individually stamped designs or I add an all over texture; followed by sanding, filing, refining- then eventually the piece is ready to add gems and make it into a wearable piece of jewelry. 

Just like magic! But you know I'm not stopping there.... 

All those hoops and little stick fringe bits? You know it- I make them too!

They get hand-formed from wire, hammered + textured, more sanding, more filing and refining- all before they get made into something wearable and magical!

It's an amazing feeling to start with raw materials and end the day/week with something that didn't exist before, something I conjured up in my mind and brought into life with my very own hands!

It really does feel like magic!

I didn’t start here, like a lot of jewelers I got my start buying beads and charms pre-fab and assembled them into the creations I saw in my head. There’s absolutely talent in that method, AND there is a difference between jewelry that’s assembled and jewelry that’s hand fabricated. 

And just because I've moved on to crafting my own components, that doesn’t mean I don’t think there’s room for us all- however I do think it’s important to know the difference so you don’t get caught with egg on your face asking a jeweler who hand fabricates their work why “it’s so expensive” or “why can’t you have it ready tomorrow?”  Don't be that guy!

So now that you know all of the work and love that goes into making all my designs, you might be asking yourself if spending all that time and strain on my body is worth it? It's a valid question, and sure- hand cutting, stamping, refining… all takes time and it’s toll on my hands and body, but the need to create runs so deep within me- I honestly don’t think I could ever go back to anything else.... actually I keep trying to learn more, do more, and make more myself.

That’s how I’m going to get that truly one-of-a-kind Christina Holland Designs creation, always chasing the designs I see in my head to try to make them into a tangible piece of jewelry, seeping in all the love, magic, encouragement, positivity, and empowerment that I want to share with you- the wearer, and the world.

 

While I’m here- I’ll be totally transparent with you… there’s a few things I do NOT make, or at least- I don't make right now: 

💎 Lapidary work- I don’t cut my own stones. I know many artists that do, I’m not on their level and it’s important to know the difference between what I do and what they do. I aspire to achieve that kind of artistry. 

⛓️Chain- again, many high end jewelers make some to all of their chain as well. It’s not something I’ve jumped into yet, but it’s definitely something on my list to try- probably a fun statement chain or focal piece. I currently buy all my chain by the spool (usually 20-25 ft minimum at a time) so I can cut to size and add my own handmade clasps. 

👂 SOME ear wires: I do make all my own sterling silver and gold-fill ear wires, but I buy in the surgical steel and niobium ear wires, mostly because those are just two metals I haven’t attempted to work in. In the future I am considering nixing the surgical steel completely (unless someone requests it) and recently I discovered my go-to copper tones Niobium ear wires are no longer available, so I'll be looking into ordering the niobium wire to make those too, or find another pre-fab option.

That's my story, thanks for coming to my Ted Talk! ;) But I'm curious- did you learn anything about me or jewelry making that you didn't know? Is there anything I mentioned here that you'd like to know more about? Feel free to drop a comment below or send me a message from my CONTACT page!