Chocolate and Steel

by Erika Jurney on December 3, 2009

Chocolate and Steel: I specialize in fine silver jewelry that uses reclaimed silver. Most of my pieces are created using PMC (precious metal clay). PMC uses silver that is reclaimed from film negatives and x-rays. That silver is ground to a powder and mixed with an organic binder that makes is malleable like clay. So, when I work with it it is in clay form.

After I have created something wonderful for you I fire the piece in a kiln and the organic binder burns away completely and what is left is just he pure silver. MAGIC – wha-la! The final piece is polished, oxidized, brushed, and so on and so forth.

With metal clay I am able to translate my organic inspirations onto an industrial material. So goes the name “Chocolate and Steel”…the combination of organic and industrial, soft and strong, sweet and solid.

Now an independent designer living in Los Angeles, I wake to discover new inspirations everyday. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity to do what I love. I have many hobby-like activities, but creating jewelry is my passion.

Erika Jurney is the founder of Try Handmade. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook or learn more about her love of the handmade.

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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Kristi Bowman December 3, 2009 at 10:07 am: RT @tryhandmade Chocolate and Steel http://bit.ly/8Xwrmo
2 Kristi Bowman December 3, 2009 at 6:07 pm: RT @tryhandmade Chocolate and Steel http://bit.ly/8Xwrmo
3 Simone Baker June 14, 2010 at 9:56 pm: Handmade silver jewelry – http://tryhandmade.com/chocolate-and-steel/

Who We Are

Erika Jurney
Palo Alto, CA, US
Erika is the founder of Try Handmade. »more...

Diana Prichard
Mid-Michigan, US
Diana is a freelance writer and wanna-be homesteader living in rural Michigan with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, three horses, a small flock of chickens and an ever-changing menagerie of other farm animals large and small. She writes about life and work at dianaprichard.com. »more...

Kim O'Brien
Pawtucket, RI, USA
Kim is a metalsmith who isn't afraid to push the limits of function and color. When she doesn't have a torch or hammer in her hand she can be found buying handmade goods at craft fairs and local businesses, playing with her beloved dog or blogging. »more...

Beverly Rustica
St. Simons Island, GA, US
Beverly Rustica, aka BeachyRustica, is a supporter of the handmade movement and an advocate for artisans of handmade goods. Her Practical Art for Beach & Cabin can be found at www.beachyrustica.com. »more...

Rebecca Hadfield
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Rebecca constantly finds beauty in that which is often overlooked. She combines found objects with decorative papers, ephemera, vintage images and text to form the basis for her collage pieces, magnets, and pins, which she sells online and at local craft shows in her home town of Winnipeg, Canada. »more...

Valerie Williams
Washington DC Metro Area, US
Valerie is a sewer, designer, and crafter. She loves fabric and making things to wear, but will try any craft at least once. After being a lobbyist for ten years, Valerie has had enough of politics but still loves DC, and is anxious to share the goodness that the area has to offer. You can see the handbags and accessories she makes in her shop Holland Cox. »more...

Amy L.
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Amy is a freelance web designer, blogger and Etsy shop owner. When not scouring the web for the latest in handmade or building websites she can be found either hiking in the woods, visiting art galleries, or sampling treats at local candy and cupcake shops. Amy is passionate about the burgeoning handmade movement. »more...

Zoe Grant
Suffolk, UK
Zoe is a self confessed fabric addict having learnt to sew, embroider and knit when she was little.� She also adores printed papers and loves discovering new stationery designers.� In between being a mother and wife she writes about small creative businesses on her blog and sells ribbons and buttons on Etsy and Folksy. »more...

Sarah Safranski
Honolulu, HI, US
Sarah is a metalsmith, jewelry designer, and owner of the Etsy shop Lilacs&Ginger, sweet and spicy handmade treasures. She works primarily with sterling silver and vintage finds. »more...

Ellie Thouret
Manchester, UK
Ellie is a UK-based designer of handknit and crocheted accessories. In her rare time away from the needles and hooks, she can be found scouring Etsy and Folksy for cute and quirky handmade items, and chatting to indie sellers via Twitter, Facebook and blogs. »more...