About Me
My start in jewelry design
I started making silver jewelry in the summer of 2002 in San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico.
I took a one week class with Jeep Collins on the Lost Wax method of jewelry craft. It was an amazing
opportunity and I learned so much. Jeep would pick me up each morning and we would drive out to a
ranch outside of town and work on jewelry in our small class of 6 until after lunch, when Jeep would
drive me home again!
At the end of the week, I started Direct Metal classes at the Instituto Allende in town. My mother and
Pam Simpson were taking classes there and had the years previous.
The bug bit me and I have been making jewelry at home ever since.
The direct metal method of jewelry making is a very physical one. I melt the silver, roll it out into
sheets, cut the silver, hammer it, solder it, and polish it. I also try to make my own wire when I can. All
the pieces, except most chains and clasps, are hand made by me.
I only make pieces in my spare time and when I am creatively motivated. So, I only produce a few
pieces unless I know I have a show to do. I may go many, many months without creating one thing!
Currently, I only work in silver, but I have dabbled in gold a bit. Hopefully in the future you will see
more gold from me.
Thanks! Gretchen Kreidler
I started making silver jewelry in the summer of 2002 in San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico.
I took a one week class with Jeep Collins on the Lost Wax method of jewelry craft. It was an amazing
opportunity and I learned so much. Jeep would pick me up each morning and we would drive out to a
ranch outside of town and work on jewelry in our small class of 6 until after lunch, when Jeep would
drive me home again!
At the end of the week, I started Direct Metal classes at the Instituto Allende in town. My mother and
Pam Simpson were taking classes there and had the years previous.
The bug bit me and I have been making jewelry at home ever since.
The direct metal method of jewelry making is a very physical one. I melt the silver, roll it out into
sheets, cut the silver, hammer it, solder it, and polish it. I also try to make my own wire when I can. All
the pieces, except most chains and clasps, are hand made by me.
I only make pieces in my spare time and when I am creatively motivated. So, I only produce a few
pieces unless I know I have a show to do. I may go many, many months without creating one thing!
Currently, I only work in silver, but I have dabbled in gold a bit. Hopefully in the future you will see
more gold from me.
Thanks! Gretchen Kreidler
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