www.schazel.com
Precious Metal Clay (PMC) has allowed me to create some of the designs I've had in my mind since my first jewelry class many years ago. My work is very freeform and textural in nature. This new and revolutionary medium has given me the freedom to create the feeling and movement I've always wanted in my work but could not achieve using traditional jewelry techniques.
I am influenced by nature, architecture, costume, finery and ornament of all kinds and virtually every period of history. Also by places that I have visited and photographed during my career as a photojournalist such as Frankfurt, Germany; Loreto, Mexico; Key West, Florida and many historic towns throughout the United States.
I design and create my work of fine silver and 24k gold Precious Metal Clay, precious stones and pearls. I sculpt, carve, trail, mold, push and pull the metal bearing clay into the shapes and forms of my design. Setting stones in the wet clay and firing them in place feels like an ancient process to me, even though it is very modern and a risky proposition. In keeping with the old world and natural feeling I have for the PMC process I purposefully try not to imitate traditionally made jewelry and do all forming, firing and finishing by hand, then burnishing and brushing giving the pieces a wonderfully organic rich and time-honored quality.
Each piece I create is distinctly unique.
