Lisl Armstrong - Artist's Statement
I am inspired by nature and the cultures of ancient and primitive people who lived by the sea. I find myself wondering what they would have done with sea glass.
I have always loved objects from antiquity. Not just for their craftsmanship and natural materials but for what the elements have done to them over the ages. I find that sea glass has an ancient quality and that informs my jewelry making process. I strive to make jewelry that is rustic, natural and handmade in look and feel. So I work with basic hand tools and use techniques that are ancient themselves.
I use precious metal wires such as sterling silver and copper. The wire working methods I use were developped by ancient nomadic people who made jewelry with a few basic tools such as pliers, cutters and hammers etc. This method is called "cold work" so it is solderless.
Although it is solderless it is quite strong because of the thick wire gauge. Strength is also gained as the silver is work-hardened during the process. These techniques are employed by the worlds top wire jewelry artist. Links made this way are often stronger than lighter gauge wire that has been soldered.
The result is jewelry that looks handmade bearing a few gentle tool marks. It is in keeping with the organic look of sea glass. This jewelry does not have a commercially produced look. It looks hand-hewn because it is.
When making sea glass jewelry I ask myself these two questions. With proper care could this piece last a lifetime and beyond? Can it be cared for easily by the owner for years to come?
I find that precious metal wires fits the criteria, drilled sea glass will not fray or cut through wire as it does stringing materials. Wire makes it possible to create sea glass jewelry that is durable and wash and wear.
