February 23, 2025

Photo: Jenn Hall Sweatte of Emily Lyons-Wood
WELCOME TO ISSUE 6 OF
THE [PALM] SUNDAY TIMES
I am digging into the real work this week: sitting down at my bench, getting out my tools, and starting to carve away at the new collection, Paradiso. I have laid the groundwork for this collection over the last few months: selecting my inspiration idea, researching images, and traveling to source stones. Now it's time to bring it all together, breathe in, and see what comes out.
This is a practice of faith and vulnerability. It can be scary! What if I don't like what I make? What if I can't come up with any good ideas? What if I get stuck?
Lots of what-if's and the fear of failure looms, but I try to ignore those feelings and focus on having a good time at my bench. In this week's issue, I'll give you a glimpse inside my creative process as I begin to bring a collection to life through wax carving, casting, beading, and fabrication.
So pour yourself a cup of tea and get comfy.
"The work reveals itself as you go."
- Rick Rubin

A book I read recently that I absolutely LOVED was Rick Rubin's The Creative Act: A Way of Being. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who finds themselves needing a creative pep-talk or helpful hints on how to be a little bit more creative in their everyday life.
STARTING WORK ON PARADISO

MY CREATIVE PROCESS
How exactly I go about making a collection has changed a lot since I first started making jewelry. I did always start with a moodboard, but the techniques I've chosen to use to make jewelry have shifted from fabrication (soldering together metal like gold sheet and wire) to carving wax and casting.
I changed from fabrication to carving for several reasons. The main reason is that I just enjoy it so much more. If a wax snaps or breaks, it's fairly easy to melt new wax on it to repair it. As opposed to accidentally melting a gold ring you've already spent hours working on. With this lower risk level, I'm more easily able to get into a flow state.
Another reason I love carving wax is the sculptural and organic shapes I'm able to achieve. More skilled goldsmiths can achieve these shapes through fabrication (I encourage everyone to check out the work of Gary Roe), but my skill level is more suited to wax carving. I find that I've gotten into a pretty good routine with my tools (I use Kate Wolf carving tools and an SJK wax pen) and my microscope.
Lastly, using my torch less feels healthier. I'm breathing in less fumes from soldering together metals. I do my best to keep all of my wax filings and shavings collected at the end of my work session as they are essentially micro-plastics and I don't want them entering our waste stream.






When beginning to carve a ring, I start with a slice from a wax ring tube and decide how I want the stone to be oriented, North-South or East-West. Once that is determined (and that can take a long time!) I begin to carve out the seat for the stone. Sapphires are great because I can essentially melt them into the wax because they can take heat, but other more fragile stones require that I carve the seat by hand. Once the seat is carved, I begin to carve around the seat to form the outer silhouette of the ring. Most of the time I only have a very vague idea of what the end product will look like, and I decide each detail as I get to it. It may sound strange, but I try to focus on the stone and make design decisions based on what the stone "needs." What would make it sing? What would emphasize its shape and cut?
"Look for what you notice
but no one else sees."
- Rick Rubin
INSPIRATION FOR SILHOUETTES

MOTIFS + TEXTURES
While carving, I try to always reference the photos I've saved to that season's moodboard. This season, I'm trying to really let myself go and allow myself to do some whimsical things that are a little outside of the clean, architectural rings I'm used to doing.
I've saved a lot of grecian artifacts, shells, water fountains, and porticos this year. I really want their textures, patterns, and shapes to come through in more obvious ways. This will undoubtedly create a more "niche" look to this collection that may not be for everyone, but I'm starting to lean into the idea that alienating some folks is ok in return for letting my soul feel more free.


So far I have carved 2 and a half rings for the new collection. Once I have about 5 carved, I'll send them to my local casting house to be cast in 14k Fairmined Yellow Gold. I'll be sure to include more about that process in future newsletters.
UPDATE: FUNDS RAISED FOR LA

$1,900 SO FAR!
I'm delighted to share that we have raised almost 2k for the fires in LA with the sales of the Palm Charms. Each charm is made from recycled 14k gold and hand engraved with your style of palm tree. The charms are $300 and $100 from every sale goes towards your choice of a GoFundMe or foundation. I'm still making these so get in touch if you want one!
Thank you to everyone that has read this far, this was a long one! Remember to take walks this week, drink lots of water, and call your representatives!
Thanks so much for following along.
Lauren