When I was growing up I was always making something and learned to knit at the ripe old age of nine from my Irish mother.  Ever since then I always seemed to have something in my hands whether it was knitting, sewing or fabric designing, to finally fabricating jewelry.

My personal and creative journey started with my parents.  My father was also from Northern Ireland, and, his career involved travelling to many countries, which afforded me to become immersed in culture, communities and to experience people and diversities leaving an impact on not only me, as a person, but also my creativity.

Starting while my two boys were young, I discovered surface texture and designing fabrics with color and art.  The vibrant colors and textures made on clothing fascinated me.  The only problem was that this process involved a washer, dryer and large tables to complete the surface designs on fabric.  I was quickly overtaking the entire house so I decided it was time to change things and do something that was more portable.  Hence my interest and transition into fabricating jewelry.  

In order to fabricate jewelry I needed to know more about metalsmithing and I learned quickly and earnestly, and, found that the metal texture process was not unlike the surface design techniques.  Managing to combine sterling silver with gold application and mixing metals into my designs sparked with me. The work I produce are designs made of sterling silver, 14KT and 18KT Gold, 14KT gold-filled, bi-metal, copper and brass. My individual designs are geometric, patina'd, hand forged, manipulated and textured in such a way that they truly are a piece of wearable art. 

 

Heather Saunders Jewelry Designs is located on a farm in Georgetown, KY.  While the tractors roll along in the fields, the hum of the drill, sawing and filing try to keep beat.  It is a beautiful place to boost the creative spirit and energize the design process.

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