Loading... Please wait...

about

pix-lbhaa.jpg

Events

To find out about current and
upcoming shows, as well as
classes I teach, visit the
Events page.

A Special Thank You...

... to my fellow artists at the
Sawdust Art Festival who voted me
"Best Jeweler" in the 2013 Show!

Lorraine Hornby,
Jeweler and Gemologist

I most enjoy the process of designing a new piece: thinking about color, balance, texture, and form. I am awed and amazed by the gems hidden in the Earth, and the pearls provided by the sea, so these things figure prominently in my work. I have spent many hours searching gem shows to find distinctive gemstones to inspire my designs. Each piece that I make is the culmination not only of this searching, but of time spent imagining many variations leading to the final design, and of the actual creation of the work.

Professional Affiliations

  • Metal Arts Society of Southern California (MASSC)
  • Gemology Alumni Association, Santiago Canyon College

Education

Certified Gemologist, SCC

Santiago Canyon College, CA

Jewelry Fabrication

  • Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
  • Saddleback College Fine Arts Department
  • I have also been fortunate enough to take specialized workshops with Michael David Sturlin, Cynthia Eid, Betty Helen Longhi and Jay Whaley.

Graphic Design Certificate Program

University of California, Irvine, CA

Bachelor's Degree (Computer Science & Business Management)

Rice University, TX

About the Work

What I do is known as "fabrication." A piece of jewelry begins with a flat sheet of metal (usually sterling silver), wire, gemstones, and an idea. The piece is then fabricated from these raw materials. The techniques include:

  • piercing (drilling holes),
  • sawing (using a jeweler's hand saw to cut the desired shape from the sheet metal),
  • soldering (one of the common ways to connect pieces of metal),
  • hammering (to shape and texture),
  • and an assortment of other methods!

I also use the lost wax casting process to create certain pieces.


 

Connect with us

Newsletter