Clematis after the Fall

7.0 x 2.0 x 0.1 cm

sterling silver

Sitting in her studio cabin in the woods of northern British Columbia, Trish created these earrings she has named "Clematis After the Fall." These earrings were hand engraved from 16g sterling-silver sheet and hand-formed 18g sterling-silver wire. The first step was to transfer her design onto the silver and engrave it. After the hand engraving was finished the outline was hand sawn around the circumference, then filed to take off any burrs or sharp edges. She marked and then drilled all her holes for the hooks and moving pieces. She also hand made the shepherd hooks to accommodate the movement of the earrings. Each of the dangling pistels were hand cut and then torched to form the little balls on the ends. Each connection was then formed to fit into the drilled holes to ensure movement while wearing them. Finally, before assembly the pieces were tumbled with a special medium to give them a perfect shine. The final step in making these earrings was to assemble them and ensure that the pistels moved well with the rest of the earring.

Trish Paulson is a Metis woman and mostly self-taught multi-media artist residing in the Pacific Northwest of BC. She started her exploration into the arts as a young girl and has progressed into silver and copper smithing in her little studio cabin in the woods.

Inspired by culture and connection to the land, Trish draws on her plant knowledge as an applied biologist technician and her years of mentoring and teaching traditional plant medicine. Her mediums include leather/hide, textiles, silver, copper, digital graphic art, and all manner of natural items including stones and sticks. The most recent addition to her repertoire of skills includes hand-engraving silver and copper jewellery.

She most recently won the Honourable Mention award in the category of Jewellery for her hand-engraved sterling silver cuff bracelet "Sweetgrass, Salmonberry Blossoms and Cedar" at the Skeena Salmon Art Show.

Trish's work is defined by the concept that jewellery enhances our connection to our identity by keeping us connected to nature. Trish plans to expand her skill base in the coming year to improve her drawing, painting, creative writing, and photography skills.