Artist Statement | Profile

The Process

Much of Billie’s work employs the ancient techniques of Repousse, Chasing and Granulation. Preferring to work in high karat gold because she regards it as an Immortal Metal, she believes it has the power to “travel time”. Since 24K gold, in of itself, is too soft to maintain dominance over, Billie mixes a 22K alloy that matches the rich luster of her ancestral jewelry and the ancient Byzantine and Etruscan works of art that influence much of her work.

Starting with the raw elements of pure fine gold or silver, she carefully weighs and measures out the raw nuggets onto a scale. Like alchemy, she alloys just the right measure of additional metals, using a torch and an old fashion crucible made of a charcoal block to form a small ingot.

From ingot to sheet, each work is hammered and forged with a series of weighted hammers and other hand tools made especially for her. On her granulated pieces, each sphere is meticulously placed and then fused onto the surface with great attention to the movement and timing of the flame. This process allows her to maintain the integrity of the gold without using any secondary element such as solder, which melts at a lower temperature.

The choice of gemstones for each work is often a collaborative process, with each gem selected and applied for its own purpose. Every gemstone vibrates at a unique frequency and individual stones touch everyone differently. The cut, the placement and the setting of each stone may signify a special meaning. At times, elements not common in jewelry making are also employed to create a chosen intention that only the wearer knows.

“Sometimes I feel like I am one of many radio towers, receiving information and ideas from the cosmos. These ideas swirl through the air like ancient stars that have been falling through space for eons, waiting to be gathered up and interpreted. I am an open channel and I am their instrument on earth. Every piece is hand forged and hand fabricated. As if possessing an energy field, every piece is waiting to be engaged with intention when worn.”