This was my first attempt at making jewelry. After 30 years of image-making and being creative digitally, I needed to return to hand-crafted object-making in the tangible world. Regardless, it’s quite convenient to have the skills and equipment to do my own image marketing. So here we are: I made a necklace and documented it.

In art school 3D design or sculpture was a fundamental requirement for all students - jewelry making or metalsmithing was not. Suffice it to say that I fumbled through many self-teaching hours and online research to extend my experience with form into things like wire-wrapping. It’s a tricky hand technique so it took some time and practice material to become proficient. This piece was made from 28 gauge bare copper wire wrapped around a citrine stone. It hangs on a leather cord with topaz beads, copper wire-wrapped findings and a clasp. I added a patina to the piece by oxidizing the copper to add contrast and darken crevices.

I’m embarrassed that I didn’t use a macro lens to shoot this. It was my first piece so I wasn’t exactly driven to buy or even rent one. If it were for a client, I would have. When I complete more advanced designs using precious metals, I will. I’ve done very little product photography in 30 years so I never invested in one. This will likely change now that I see so many jewelry and wristwatch videos on YouTube. It’s a whole new reason to own a macro lens. The rise of the influencer has spawned a brand new market specifically for macro work. It’s not just for insects and flowers anymore. So if I venture deeper into metalsmithing or jewelry, I could be looking at a whole new genre in my portfolio.