m e t h o d s
Fabrication refers to the manipulation of metal through a range of techniques including sawing, filing, hammering, soldering, sanding, and polishing. Hand fabricated pieces begin as simple metal sheets and various wires & tubing. Chains + findings are sourced from the United States or Italy.
This ancient process is the closest thing to magic that I've ever witnessed. Through a series of fiery steps, a temporary mold is poured around a model, the model is burned away, and molten metal pours into the cavity, filling into the shape of the original model. Once cooled, the metal can be sanded and polished, or integrated into a more complex design. I use a casting partner to transform my wax models into metal, then finish each piece by hand in the Mirage Metals studio.
Hey there - I'm Jess, the designer and maker behind Mirage Metals. I grew up collecting rocks, at times giving them googlie eyes and cardboard-box homes. Without thinking much of it, I began working at a crystal shop while I was in college for interior design & architecture. Suddenly I found myself surrounded by giant amethyst towers and quartz-encrusted geodes, and my love of rocks was rekindled. I craved a change from my computer-centered coursework, so in my last year of school I enrolled in a metalsmithing class. I was quickly captivated by the intricate processes that brought life to a seemingly rigid material. It felt serendipitous to find an art form aligned with my love of natural stones, and I stuck with it. I continue to learn about new tools and techniques, and love exploring ideas on a smaller scale through handmade jewelry & object design.
