Elizabeth Hake

My handmade jewelry is inspired by some of the oldest designs known to humankind: Square, Circle, Triangle, Spiral and Equidistant Cross.  My understanding of these designs was forever changed by the work of a cultural anthropologist who traced these five Universal Symbols and their meanings from the beginning of human culture. My jewelry designs start with these basic shapes, sometimes repeating and other times combining them to discover something new.

The process I use is Lost Wax Casting, which has been in use since ancient Egypt.  Each piece is sculpted of jeweler’s wax.  When the wax original is finished, it is enveloped in a plaster mold; the wax model is “burned out” leaving a cavity, hence the term “lost wax”.  Molten metal is poured into the mold resulting in a replica of the original wax sculpture.  In addition to casting, I build ear wires, clasps, and chains from sterling silver sheet and wire.  Each element is hand formed then joined together.

Care:  To remove tarnish rub the metal with a jewelry polishing cloth.  If there is a matte or brushed finish rub with a Scotchbrite pad to maintain the finish.  Then clean with dish soap, water & toothbrush.  A preventative measure is to store silver jewelry in zip lock bags.  Cable neck wires & rubber cord necklaces should always be stored flat.