HAMMERWORKS EPIC BODYWEAR

In the wind-down from making pieces for others back in 2007, I decided to begin a new series of my own work called “Accidental Terrain”. The idea was to explore a mental snapshot of aerial geographic topography, and create a version hammered into sheet silver. Once on the body it was transformed: the “topography” of the skin - a life of nicks, scrapes, scars, and the like - aligned to create human references to this abstraction in metal.

I took an extended leave from my work in 2009 to pursue more stable income and unfortunately left the series after this first piece. The theme continues to engage me however, and there are mind-sketches for other members in this body of work. I hope to have the opportunity to flesh out the ideas and articulate them into metal. Thank you for your support!

And another piece… There was a ring I had long envisioned for myself, to which I decided to make some alterations. Made for someone else for an exhibit at the Wexler Gallery in Philadelphia, the original was ideal for a person with deeper skin tone, to make the hue of the ring *pop*:

I loved this stone but it didn’t work on my hand. Since the piece didn’t sell during the show, I opened the setting - I’d hand-fabricated all parts in  round and square sterling silver wires - and set a piece of azurite, saved especially for this ring.

Its new look was fabulous and I wore it only for a week before a collector laid eyes on it and decided she wanted it for herself! At least this beautiful ring has a wonderful new home. It never fails that a new piece of wearable sculpture-jewelry which I make for myself becomes the new love of someone else! It’s best that way, really.

I took a hiatus from my metal in 2008 and would like to take this opportunity to share works completed just before my leave of absence. I will be posting a number of works I have created since my departure as well, so please stay tuned!

At long last, I had the great fortune to create a new Medieval-City-on-My-Knuckle, Modern-Day-Protection-Device ring. After wearing this favorite for over 10 years, and having people stare at it wherever I was, despite themselves — compelled to the point of making conversation with me in many cases –  someone finally had the moxie to commission one for themselves. For his fabulous wife. A mother of two in lower Manhattan decided she needed one of these fantastic finger sculptures to enhance her daily life, and her husband, being the great man he is, agreed it would make her even more lovely.

This image depicts the two side-by-side; can you tell which one is mine, happily worn day after day?

I hear she wears it well: another bird of a feather adorned with something personal and extraordinary to take along this path of life.  Thank you!

Another gorgeous piece I had opportunity to make was a pierced sterling armlet - the assignment was something with references to Art Nouveau, but also with the recipient’s initials prominently placed. Normally I do not like to include words or letters - preferring the abstract - but here the collaboration came to an incredible result.

The Brazilian beauty wears this special piece everyday…

I stumbled upon this design blog a little while back, and investigated how they find the artists about whom they write. They loved my work and decided to do a little write-up, which you can see here: http://2modern.blogs.com/2modern/

It is a feature today, so look for December 16th. If you have trouble finding it through the volume of their listings, here is the direct link:

http://2modern.blogs.com/2modern/2007/12/melina-hammer-a.html

The first image listed is from my recent commissioned work, now at the boutique BrigitteNYC, and the second is a piece commissioned from my dear client and friend Aya Kiyono in Japan. I hope you’ll have a look–it’s a short piece–and enjoy the 2Modern Blog!

I am not having a trunk show this year as I had last, and thought if you all are pining away for a piece of Melina Hammer jewelry-sculpture, you can certainly find a way and get your fix. One of those ways is to go to Brigitte NYC on Crosby Street in Soho. Brigitte herself - from a wee place near Dusseldorf, Deutschland - decided she had to have my work in her elegant space. She purchased two coveted one-of-a-kind beauties for herself, and commissioned a series of glamorous organic works to showcase in her space. I am putting the finishing touches on them as we speak (figuratively of course), and they will be available starting this week. You can see her website here: http://brigittenyc.com. Sadly, you will not at this time see my creations on the site, but give it some time… Until then, I have photographed some of the collection for you to view, below.

Custom adaptation of the Pod Pendants, the Stamen Necklace:

Three unique sets of Stamen Earrings:

The secret interior side of the Embossed Disk Rings, with adjustable ring shanks:

A simplified medallion, in copper:

If you’re not in reach of Brigitte’s fabulous store, you can always commission me for a special custom piece. I love to hear the ideas brewing, so please reach out and drop a line if you find now is the time for that unusual, personal creation!

Happy Holidays to everyone, and may next year prove to be informative, fun, and peaceful.

My last commission was uniquely something not for the body. This is a rare but enjoyable occurrence, where someone asks me to create a compelling free-standing object. I love this challenge, and found the forging process of shaping and texturing the metal equally gratifying, knowing that people would regularly handle the sinuous shapes these leaf napkin rings possess. This set of four was commissioned for a beautiful lady in Trinidad as a wedding gift. I am lucky to have had this opportunity, and have thought of creating a line like these for people who want something distinctive in their dining experience.

One of my best clients, Jennifer Cooper here in New York City, set me to the task of creating a bold ring from a (very) large stone in her personal collection. At first attempt, the stone dwarfed its setting and proved unstable. My second endeavor to create a dynamic and sturdy setting seems to have succeeded, much to her delight. This rough boulder opal measures two inches at both of its largest dimensions, and is HEAVY. In my opinion this beauty does not belong on the hand–which bumps into things in gesturing–but Jennifer loves truly bold and unusual objects. I aim to please, and it is a stunning piece.

There is a lovely lady named Helga who for her sister’s birthday Ingrid, commissioned me to make a special ring. Helga, and I think her sister as well, has lived long enough to appreciate the most significant things in life. Her love for people is rich and expressive, as are the objects and surroundings which shape her experience. Helga traveled from her home in Germany to Ingrid in Sweden to celebrate together, and I was happy to do my part. It was an honor to be asked to create such a personal gift.