Gina Hander

I am a metalsmith working mostly in silver. I was drawn to metalwork after experiencing the joy of making some initial pieces where I took a hard, sharp copper metal sheet and hammered, heated and manipulated it into something that looked soft and fluid. Now I mostly make jewelry, but it is still this process of detailed and gradual manipulation that I enjoy so much.

My current jewelry projects are usually a nod to a historical style or culture. I am particularly inspired by Nomadic Steppe metalwork; Chinese and Japanese painting; and ancient Etruscan, Roman, and Greek jewelry. I love a little sparkle and glitz. I have focused on an ancient technique called granulation and have made mostly earrings, though I love trying new techniques and jewelry styles.

Five years into this craft, I still have much to learn, and I feel that I am still in the early stages of gaining proficiency in multiple techniques that I envision combining as my style develops.