Fine Gemstone Jewelry from a Famous Californian Jeweler
Fine gemstone jewelry handmade by Steven Brixner. Brixner has been making and selling jewelry for more than 35 years. His jewelry work has taken many forms and styles along his career but his unique cabochon rings have taken his reputation to new levels. His success has also been a subtle balance between running a jewelry business and creating his stunning rings. Brixner started jewelry making by applying fabric weaving techniques into jewelry.
First steps from fiber weaving to jewelry making
While doing a master’s of art at San Diego State University, he further developed his fiber craft onto metal weaving. At the time, Brixner attempted jewelry making by using basketweave and twillweave patterns using fine silver wires. This was his starting point on jewelry making, a passion he has nurtured for more than sixteen years of professional practice. He also professes a deep appreciation for fine gemstones, always present in his jewelry.
How fashion rings pushed Brixner´s fameHis famous donut rings were fashion magazine’s favorite featured jewelry.
An article I found at TabooStudio from Ornament Magazine about Brixner´s work tells us that with the fashion industry wanting over-sized accessories, his donut rings were immediately a favored jewel. He says that “I started doing pieces that were more fashion oriented. The fashion magazines were pushing hand-crafted jewelry”. I love the way Brixner plays with the shape and texture of rings and how he stacks fine gemstones to achieve rings worthy of cocktail parties.
I combine silver and gold with colored stones to achieve visual balance. I particularly enjoy using agate and jasper which come in extraordinary colors and patterns”. Wearability is also a key aspect of his craftsmanship. “I test how each piece fits against the body. I curve flat areas, soften sharp angles and round points that might poke and jab”.
This series came from a grid design he had kept in the back of his mind for years. He created this series evocative of a child’s game. These were geometric arrangements of silver wires with stones and gold rings.
About his work Brixner says: “I've been making and selling jewelry for more than 35 years. Except for two short periods when I had talented apprentices, all of the work from my studio has been made with my two hands. I love the control that comes with making a piece from beginning to end. When finished, each new item reflects my perspective on design and the level of my hand skills".
"I take great pride in all of my work, which I make to satisfy a need to create. I hope each piece will find a home with individuals who enjoy it. I like to think that my work will out live me, and continue to have value for the people who wear it”. Brixner shares with us his vision about jewelry making in his artist statement: “New work for me begins to take form from a single idea. I tend to make lots of parts and then start putting them together into a series of pieces. I sometimes work on a series for a particular exhibition and then abandon it or I may continue to evolve it into a substantial body of work over many years. Inspiration comes from many sources. Natural forms, geometric shapes, primitive jewelry, historic metalwork, architecture, collaboration on a commissioned work and unusual stones, have all led me in new directions”. Designing jewelry and learning how to run a business
Brixner has had experience of running a jewelry business since he graduated from his master of arts. At the time he set up a store and had his first attempt at learning what running a business is about. Some years later he took a part-time job at a jewelry store too.His experience running a business has helped him keep his costing and pricing methods in tip top shape. He uses a worksheet to determine the costs of his jewelry giving him what he should charge. Brixner types in the hours spent in any given project and the cost of the materials.
For a detailed explanation about what jewelry costs are,
read this article.
You can also check this
simple 3-step method
for calculating the cost of your jewelry or the exclusive article about
pricing jewelry.
Meeting a major career goal
Brixner has found new aspirations for his career: “I used to think it was more important to eat than to have name recognition. But I’ve been in some exhibitions, and they’re becoming more important to me. Now, as I get older I want the recognition and the opportunity to present a cohesive body of work”. Several galleries now carry his work. Luckily, Brixner has met one of his major career goals: to be completely self-employed by the time he was forty years old.
See all his work on his web-site at:
BrixnerDesign.com
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After the success with his donut rings, Brixner created his “sticks and stones” series. 