Brian Wallace -
Old World Techniques, New World Creations
Hand Forged Jewelry (BW)
Biography
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During this time I also was trained by an internationally known artist. He taught me how to sculpt marble, soapstone and how to do the chase (finish) work on bronze sculptures. That consists of bringing the rough surface of the bronze casting direct from the foundry back to the intended surface textures. Examples would be putting a high polish on convex/concave surface or to re-carve a woman's face and to make her hair appear lifelike.
I Started my career as a metal fabricator, I yearned to be more artistic and creative. So I apprenticed and after years of learning and practice I worked my way up to the level of a Master Blacksmith.
The master apprentice lineage that I was taught in can be linked back to one of the best ornamental Blacksmiths in U.S. History. His name was Samuel Yellin. He was at his peak in the 1920s. Some of his well known works are on the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, the outside gate for the Packard Building in Philadelphia and many inside gates at The National Cathedral in Washington D.C. I was a Blacksmith for many years creating ornamental ironwork.
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I was in a horrible car accident that took my path from wrought iron to the Jewelry industry. I wanted to continue being creative, so I figured if I scale everything down I could work with prescious metals.
I went to ‘the Gemological Institute of America’ in Carlsbad California and became a Graduate Gemologist. If you are wondering why I did not choose to be a jeweler. I apprenticed under a custom jeweler for about a year previous to going to G.I.A. He taught me some basic techniques like sizing , soldering, stone setting. It was easy, this was due to my previous 10+years of metal fabrication/Master Blacksmith background. After graduation I worked as a Gemologist in the Caribbean, Alaska, and Colorado where I meshed my passion for gemstones, traditional ironwork and the love of the arts. I did this by helping my clients design and create custom jewelry.
Now I take that very unique knowledge and I apply it to the design and construction of my jewelry. some of my more unusual exposures were as follows. Working and being taught by an internationally Known sculptor. A long time participant in the local art community. lastly, working with some of the most rare and expensive gemstones known to man, along with selling some of the finest jewelry in the world by such designers as Cartier and Van clef & Arpels.
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This very unique background has given me skills that very few other people have. On top of these skills I am a traditionalist in regards to techniques, machinery and power tools. I believe in being true to the material. I don't own a grinder or welder, all my work is by hand using hand tools. Machinery moves you away from the material and results in a separation That effects the end result.
I am passionate and i love creating with my hands. You will see all this when you hold it , put it on and see it on yourself. you will know because my jewelry is like nothing else out there.
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My Jewelry is hand made, which is nothing like the cast mass produced jewelry out there. You will be original since you won't find any jewelry like mine anywhere else in the world. So stand out and be original with one of my pieces.
