The Impulse for Jewelry by Rebecca Neigher

As a jeweler, my work begins in varied ways. The first impulse could be a shape, a texture, a stone, a thought, a spiritual leading. During the process I remain open to new ideas and directions.

In 1996 I moved to North Carolina. I live and work in the woods overlooking forest and meadow. My energy is directed inward first and flows through me into the physical, mental, and spiritual acts of making. Keeping my studio wide open, I have seasonal visitors including, moths, butterflies, spiders, skinks, crickets, frogs, birds and an occasional snake. So far the squirrels and deer are happy looking and not venturing in!

I love being a full time studio artist. I compare it to being like a farmer, making things grow. There is joy in playing with fire, shaping metal, perusing and arranging stones, and creating pieces that express my inner feelings and my sense of beauty and meaning. I feel a deep connection to the earth and the ocean where most of my materials come from. And I feel a kinship with the ancient metal smiths working over open fires and hot coals.

Holding a finished piece in my hand, I get great satisfaction when a client has an inner connection and response to a piece I have  created, and that the piece has the potential to lift or reveal the spirit.

See more of Rebecca’s jewelry and the work of other OCAG artists at our website.