Unique and timeless handmade jewelry in precious gems and metals. Proudly made from a master craftsman of over 25 years experience in Trumbull, CT.
The Etsy shop is owned by Mary but the driving force behind its artistry is Michael. This is truly his baby.
Employed as the master jeweler at one of the more prestigious jewelry retailers in the Northeast, Michael has been designing and hand crafting fine jewelry for over 30 years. He has created classical designs for a vast array of clients, from shipping magnates to movie stars. Working in such a high-end environment can be quite stifling. The Etsy shop allows him to diverge from the more traditional mold and showcase a broader range of styles and techniques he's acquired over the years. He and I hope to give you some insight into his process. Consider yourself one of his apprentices, as do I. Being his wife, and a very independent woman, it’s a very disconcerting position to be in. At any rate, our goal is to demonstrate that jewelry design is more than setting stones into metal. Each successful piece has elements of architecture, alchemy, as well as artistry.
Collaboration has been the key to this artist's most successful pieces. While the designs are drafted on his bench, they're often based on an abstract idea from a customer. "I think I know what I want but I need you to make it come to life", is the start of most of his client consultations. The end result is always far better than either anticipated. The customer not only feels pleased with their purchase, but also has an increased sense of satisfaction thanks to their role in the process.
The Two Hand's Jewelry Design shop allows Michael to share his talent outside the constraints of a corporate marketplace. There's a big difference between the assembly line and the jeweler's bench. He prides himself on hand modeling and crafting each piece individually. Some of the more intricate molds can only be sculpted in wax under high magnification. It often takes hours and sometimes days to complete a single item. While the incentive to make a profit is there, he won't adjust his method of jewelry making for the mighty dollar. Evolution and adaptation are important in any industry but in his view there is no alternative.
When we were discussing whether or not to open a shop on Etsy, the primary incentive was obviously for Michael to make exquisite jewelry, to maybe make a little money, but most importantly for him to have fun again in the process. Hopefully, you'll pick up on that and have some of his happy happy sent home to you.
