January always feels like a quiet reset in my studio. The pace softens, the benches get a good cleaning, and I finally have space to look honestly at what’s working, what’s shifting, and what needs to evolve. This year, that reflection has been shaped by something many metalsmiths are feeling right now: the rising cost of silver.
Silver has always been the backbone of my work — the structure, the frame, the place where my hands feel most at home. But as prices climb, I’ve had to rethink how I design. Not in a way that compromises quality or intention, but in a way that asks me to be more resourceful, more inventive, and more open to change. Some pieces will use less silver. Some will lean into alternative materials. All of them will still carry the same care, precision, and storytelling you expect from my bench.
One of the unexpected gifts of this challenge has been the push to explore new techniques. Over the past few months, I’ve been learning enameling on copper — a medium that’s equal parts humbling and exhilarating. Copper has its own warmth and personality, and enamel brings color into my work in a way that feels fresh and deeply satisfying. There’s something magical about watching powdered glass transform in the kiln, revealing a surface that’s luminous, unpredictable, and alive. I’m still very much a student of this craft, but I’m excited to share more of these experiments as they grow into finished pieces.
With all of these shifts — in materials, in process, in the time each piece requires — you’ll also see some price adjustments this year. I know price changes can feel uncomfortable, and I want to be transparent about why they’re happening. Material costs have risen significantly, and the labor behind each piece remains as meticulous as ever. Adjusting prices allows me to continue creating work that’s sustainable, ethical, and true to the standards I hold myself to. My goal is always to balance accessibility with the reality of running a small, handmade business.
So January, for me, is about beginning again — not from scratch, but from a place of growth. It’s about honoring the materials I love, embracing new ones, and letting constraints spark creativity instead of limiting it. I’m grateful you’re here for the evolution, and I can’t wait to show you what emerges from the studio in the months ahead.