WEAR IT: FOSSIL JEWELRY
Wearable Artifacts
Making jewelry with everyday fossils.
BY GRETCHEN WALKER
The jewelry I create is reminiscent of a more ancient
time — like relics unearthed and altered with modern
elements. The techniques described here let you
create wearable art by texturizing metal with everyday objects
found outside, at home, or in your work studio. All you need are
basic soldering skills along with the materials listed at right and
you’re on your way to making wearable fossil art.
1. Texturize the metal sheet.
There are many ways to impart texture to a sheet of virgin copper using items
you may already have, such as large and small metal washers, a metal screen
(I prefer bronze); wire (iron or brass); a sharp, long nail or hand-held engraver;
or a piece of concrete or sidewalk.
Place your copper sheet on a hard metal surface (metal block or anvil).
Lay the objects directly onto the metal sheet, and then hammer for
