Jim Turner

Jewelry Artist/Metalworker

"52 Jewels" 52 experimental pieces of cast metal jewelry in 52 weeks; inspired by the forms and textures of nature; made with recycled materials.

I've made metal wire jewelry for myself since I was a kid. I've wanted to learn how to make cast metal works of art for decades. Casting metal objects well requires many skills, including design, carving, mold making, handling molten metal, etc. I plan to develop those skills by making 52 good pieces (and who knows how many not-so-good ones) in 52 weeks.

My inspiration comes mostly from the forms and textures of nature, especially of marine plants and animals. My process is experimental and evolutionary. I will mostly use recycled materials that are durable and non-toxic. I will begin by carving molds from cuttlefish bones and casting pewter into them and will eventually try other materials and techniques.

See my work!