My pieces often may appear clean and simple to the passerby, yet they tell a hand pierced story on the reverse side for the wearer to enjoy. I meticulously saw every design out by hand, and although it is quite time consuming, I love doing it!

I love to incorporate the colors of nature into my pieces, and frequently use gemstones and semi-precious stones to tie in to my memories of nature- such as a white dendritic opal to portray snow falling through the trees in Vermont, or a gorgeous blue labradorite to represent the bio-luminescence on the red tide in San Diego.

Eliza primarily uses traditional silversmithing techniques to create her pieces. Almost all of her work requires sawing out sheet metal with her jewelry saw (as seen in her logo!), dapping it into a shape, soldering pieces of metal together to form bands or rings, lots of hammering on her anvil for texture, using cold connections like rivets, drilling holes in pieces with her foredom drill, setting stones by hand, etc.

The Enameling Process:

I start with copper sheet, which is die cut into the desired shape, drilled with holes, and domed for strength. I sift enamel on to the back of the piece, known as counter enameling, to provide strength and structure to the glass, and prevent a poor enamel/metal fit.

After firing the counter enamel, I sift washed, powdered enamel onto the copper form in various colors, and fire multiple times in my jewelry kiln at 1500°. Once the layering of molten glass is complete, the piece is diamond sanded into a dome, the fire scale is removed and sanded, and then the pieces are hand polished. As enamel is melted glass, the color never fades, and will last for generations.

The Foldforming Technique:

Foldforming involves folding metal (I typically use copper or sterling silver sheet), hammering, annealing (heating up until the metal is soft), and hammering again. This process is repeated multiple times to keep the metal from becoming brittle while allowing the metal to move. Hammering gives detailed texture, and the repetition causes organic movement in the metal. The piece is then carefully opened to reveal the natural beauty of the form.

• Eliza attended the University of Vermont from 2005-2008 for Studio Art & Theater.
• In 2016 Eliza graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Associates of Art with an emphasis in Metalsmithing from Front Range Community College in Longmont, CO.
• She was president of FRCC’s Art Club, and had her jewelry pieces displayed at several Longmont galleries, including the Darkroom and the Firehouse Art Center.

Eliza resides in Longmont, Colorado with her husband Curt and their 5 furry kids (3 cats and 2 dogs). She is thrilled to have her younger brother Addison living near her. Eliza loves to go home to Vermont to visit her family as often as possible!