I produce fine contemporary jewelry and other metal designs primarily in the precious metals of gold, silver, palladium, and platinum. These are often further defined with the addition of texturing, gemstones and other unique lapidary, or resin inlay. “Clean. Crisp. Geometric. Architectural. Subtle elegance.” This is how my work is described by gallery and juried and local show customers and viewers, and by commission clients. Designing and fabricating engagement and wedding bands and other custom jewelry, often with people’s stones, is particularly meaningful to me and, of course, the clients.
Metalsmithing is a second career for me. After working as an educational therapist in Michigan where I earned my undergraduate and graduate degrees at The University of Michigan, I had a long career in national education policy while living in Washington, DC and then in Boston. It was serendipity when we moved to Boston for my husband’s job that I saw an ad for a “real” metalsmithing course—something I always wanted to do. I took it and the rest is history. While still working in educational policy, I gradually built up my jewelry business and eventually made the switch to running Wendy Jo New Metal Designs full time. I have purposefully incorporated teaching metalsmithing as a significant facet of my current goldsmithing career.
Growing up, I always was mesmerized by sparkling gemstones and metals, and I often incorporate something illuminating into my designs. Whether or not I intricately plan a jewelry piece in advance of producing it, or just spontaneously fabricate one as I go along, the result is inevitably something that is unique with a contemporary flair that complements, rather than overwhelms, a wearer. When designing jewelry or other metal work, I always think about whether I would wear it, use it, and/or display it. Anyone who knows me sees a reflection of me in what I design.
