Relicsmith | Merging Art, Artifact and Atmosphere
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Time to read 6 min
Sterling & Bronze Modern Relics
I have never been interested in making things that exist only for a moment.
Trends pass.
Aesthetics cycle.
What feels “new” today feels disposable tomorrow.
From the beginning, I have been drawn to objects that endure—things that carry evidence of time, use, and memory. Pieces that feel as though they have lived before they ever reached me.
Long before I was designing jewelry, I was collecting fragments. Old coins. Worn medals. Broken chains. Symbols whose original stories had faded, yet whose presence remained intact. I was fascinated by what survived when everything else disappeared.
Those early instincts never left me.
They became the foundation of my work.
Why I Work With Fragments - Perfection has never interested me.
I don’t think of myself as a jeweler in the traditional sense.
I am a Relicsmith.
A Relicsmith works at the intersection of art, artifact, and atmosphere.
Not simply creating objects, but shaping meaning.
Every piece I make is informed by three forces:
Art — intuition, composition, restraint, and emotion.
Artifact — history, wear, imperfection, and permanence.
Atmosphere — the invisible environment that gives an object its presence.
When these three elements align, something rare happens. An object becomes more than adornment,it becomes a relic.
JEWELRY AS RITUAL
I do not make jewelry to decorate.
I make it to fortify the spirit.
My pieces are meant to be worn as armor.
As witnesses.
As personal talismans.
Each relic carries intention—strength, resilience, memory, sovereignty. They are designed to become part of someone’s life, absorbing their stories, marking their milestones, and aging alongside them.
Over time, the piece becomes uniquely theirs.
No longer mine, no longer new, personal artifact.
Style, Materials, and the Language of the Work
My work is rooted in traditional craftsmanship and antique sensibility, but it is not reproduction or nostalgia
I create handmade jewelry and objects using sterling silver, bronze, and vintage materials, often working with aged textures, worn surfaces, and historical references.
Many pieces incorporate coins, medals, seals, or symbolic fragments, either original or reinterpreted through casting and hand fabrication.
The style is intentionally restrained.
Influences come from heirloom jewelry, historical artifacts, and old-world craftsmanship, rather than trends or seasonal fashion. I am drawn to forms that feel timeless—pieces that could exist outside of any specific decade.
EVERY SCRATCH, EVEY DENT IS INTENTIONAL
Sterling silver for its longevity and ability to record wear.Bronze for its warmth, strength, and connection to antiquity.Textiles, leather, and linen for their tactile, lived-in quality.
Nothing is chosen for novelty.Everything is chosen for endurance.
The result is work that exists between fine jewelry and personal artifact—objects meant to be worn daily, carried through life, and eventually passed down.
Every piece is made through a slow, hands-on process that values intention over efficiency.
My work often begins with found inspiration—historical artifacts, antique coins, worn medals, or symbolic forms that have endured across generations. From there, each design is developed through hand fabrication, casting, or a combination of both, depending on the nature of the piece.
I work primarily with sterling silver jewelry and bronze jewelry, chosen for their durability and their ability to age gracefully. Surfaces are left intentionally imperfect, allowing marks, textures, and patina to emerge naturally over time.
Many pieces are finished by hand rather than polished to uniform perfection. This ensures that no two relics are exactly alike.
The goal is not mass production, it's preservation.
My work spans a range of handmade jewelry and small objects, each designed to function as a personal artifact.
These include:
Necklaces featuring coins, medals, and symbolic pendants
Rings with sculptural forms and antique-inspired detailing
Bracelets and cuffs crafted in sterling silver and bronze
Talismans and amulets intended for daily wear
Limited-edition and one-of-a-kind pieces made in small batches
I also explore materials beyond metal, including waxed linen, leather, and textiles, allowing each piece to feel grounded and tactile rather than precious or fragile.
Whether worn against the skin or displayed in a space, these objects are meant to be lived with—not stored away.
Style, Influence, and Aesthetic
The aesthetic of my work is shaped by an interest in old-world craftsmanship, historical ornament, and heirloom jewelry, rather than contemporary fashion cycles.
Influences range from antique medals and European seals to vintage hardware and architectural details. There is an intentional tension between refinement and wear—between elegance and evidence of use.
The result is jewelry that feels both timeless and slightly weathered, designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday life.
This work appeals to those drawn to artisan jewelry, symbolic jewelry, and slow-made objects—people who value depth, substance, and meaning over novelty.
Who This Work Is For
This work is for collectors, creatives, and individuals who seek jewelry with presence.
For those who appreciate handmade craftsmanship, historical reference, and objects that carry weight beyond decoration.
If you are drawn to heirloom-quality jewelry, antique-inspired design, and pieces that grow more meaningful with time, you will understand this work instinctively.
Handmade Jewelry, Made Slowly and Intentionally
I design and create handmade jewelry in the United States, working in small batches and limited editions rather than mass production.
Each piece is either one of a kind or produced in very small runs, allowing me to maintain control over materials, finish, and integrity. My work is not outsourced, trend-driven, or manufactured at scale.
This approach aligns with the principles of slow-made jewelry—valuing craftsmanship, longevity, and intention over speed or volume.
My jewelry is designed to be worn daily and to age naturally over time, developing patina and character unique to the wearer.
Materials Used in My Jewelry
Materials I commonly work with include:
Sterling silver
Bronze
Vintage coins and medals
Hand-cast symbolic elements
Waxed linen and leather cord
Natural patinas and aged finishes
All materials are chosen for durability, wearability, and their ability to evolve with time.
Sterling silver and bronze scars instead of cracking.
It carries evidence of what it’s endured — just like the people who wear it.
Statement Rings as Armor
I have always believed that rings are the most powerful form of jewelry.
They are not passive.
They are not delicate.
They announce themselves.
A statement ring occupies space. It meets the world before the rest of you does. It becomes the first point of contact—between your body and everything you move through.
This is why I think of rings as armor.
Historically, rings have never been neutral objects. They have signified authority, allegiance, lineage, and protection. Seals, signets, and sculptural rings were worn to mark power and to assert presence long before they were considered decorative.
That lineage still matters to me.
Statement rings are not for shrinking.
They are for those who want their jewelry to feel like an extension of their inner authority—something worn not for approval, but for alignment.
For creatives, for collectors. For people who understand that strength can be quiet, but it is never invisible.
I love jewelry, all jewelry.
I love costume jewelry, fine jewelry, artisan jewelry, new jewelry, vintage jewelry, big jewelry, small jewelry, diamond jewelry, statement jewelry, rings, bracelets, earrings and rings. I love it all.
But what I love the most is items that look and feel loved, worn and that feel like a part of you immediately.
XO
Shannon
The objects I create aren’t neutral. They aren’t meant to be. They’re for people who recognize that beauty and hardship often share the same source — it’s that tension that creates the magic.
Its the tension between new and old, dark and light that cretes the tension. It's the tension that creates the magic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is your jewelry handmade?
Yes. All pieces are handmade using traditional techniques, including hand fabrication and casting, with an emphasis on slow production and craftsmanship.
What materials do you use most often?
I primarily work with sterling silver and bronze, often incorporating vintage-inspired elements, symbolic forms, and tactile materials such as linen or leather.
Are your pieces one of a kind?
Many pieces are one of a kind, while others are produced in very small batches or limited editions.
Where is your jewelry made?
My work is designed and created in the Pacific Northwest in the United States.
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