Debra’s Process

Using a wet diamond saw to cut glass.

This glass has been cut. Next step, I refine the shapes with a wet belt sander.

Working on an engraving machine.

I use a metal bust to lay out the pieces to ensure they lay properly on the body.

I use an oxy-acetylene torch to solder the sterling silver parts together.

The process of soldering the sterling silver pieces together.

The finished piece.

I wear a stylish rubber apron while I work with the glass as well as rubber boots because my process involves a lot of water to keep the glass cool.

The process from start to finish.

A finished necklace with the inspirational image accompanying it.

A wave necklace in process.

The completed tsunami necklace.

Just another glamorous day in my studio.

I make a mess.

Jewelry making is a surprisingly dirty job.

Setting the pieces requires a steady hand.

My process begins with a specific inspiration or idea. Surrounding myself with images of that inspiration, I do some preliminary sketches, keeping several sketchbooks around and often working a few trains of thought at any given time.

The glass comes first: several sheets of colored glass are laminated to a thicker block of optical glass. Once the color is formulated to my liking, I cut the glass with a wet diamond saw, then shape the pieces using flat lap wheels that grind the glass with a combination of carbide grit and water. Engraving comes next -- a slow spinning lathe cooled by water, using stone, diamond, or copper wheels to carve my designs into the surface.

With the glass work complete, I turn to the metal. The setting is constructed entirely in sterling silver, and once fully fabricated, I carve back into the glass to create the recesses where the stones and metal will rest. All the sterling components are soldered together, then sanded, filed, and brought to a finish. The final decision is which parts of the glass to polish -- and then the glass is carefully set, and the finished piece is signed and copyrighted.

Check out my inspiration