I am a self-taught jewelry artist working primarily with handmade sterling filigree, cast filigree and lapidary work (stone cutting). Originally learning the technique while living in Norway, I've been able to adapt the traditional Norwegian technique to a totally unique style with more modern design and unique gemstones.

I first began with filigree work in 1988, while still at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. While visiting my fiancée in the summer of 1988, he taught me the basics of Norwegian filigree: cutting, shaping and soldering the wire components. I returned to the USA later that summer, invested in basic equipment and began my journey as a jewelry artist.

After my husband’s death in 2003, I moved back to the USA to settle in Asheville with my two children. In 2006, I published a book, Silver Threads, Making Wire Filigree Jewelry, bringing the nearly lost art of filigree to other metalsmiths. In addition, I have published two articles in jewelry magazines and plans to begin giving classes soon. I is also a member of the Southern Highlands Crafts Guild.

For those unfamiliar with true filigree jewelry, each little segment of wire must be cut, hand shaped and then soldered into place with a torch

You can see how my pieces are created in a three part video on Youtube.

This time consuming and delicate work creates a beautiful webwork of silver scrolls around the gemstones I use. Many of my gemstones are unique, hard to find materials including rare agates, gem silica, Peruvian opal, spectrolite and other fine materials.

Lately, I've been doing a lot of jewelry photography for other jewelers as well as photography of other art work. Please look through the examples of photography I've done for other people. If you like my work, please feel free to contact me about my services.

Other places you can find me or my work online:

www.jeannius.com

www.twitter.com/jeannius

www.creativecabs.com

www.silverthreadsfiligree.com

jeannius.deviantart.com/

www.facebook.com/pages/Jeanne-Rhodes-MoenJeannius-Designs...