Work samples

  • Stitched-Disc Necklace
    Stitched-Disc Necklace

    This challenge also arose from a pair of earrings; in this case, the challenge was how to link the discs together to create a harmonious whole, a necklace that looked more like it grew that way than like it was assembled. The linking pieces, made of shaped and hammered copper wire, serve that purpose, and the clasp, designed specifically for this necklace, adds another organic touch.

About Gay

Jewelry artist Gay Durland considers herself to be a mid-century modern woman, using traditional materials such as sterling silver, pearls and gemstones in contemporary ways.

As a child, Gay didn’t know that she could be an artist. She loved math and languages, and grew up to become an analyst for the government. Years later, however, art - in the form of jewelry design with wire and beads - found her, and hasn’t let her go since.

She has studied many types of jewelry making… more

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Challenges

I run the twice-a-year Bead Challenge for the Baltimore Bead Society, setting a theme and the rules for each Challenge. Sometimes the theme is a technique or a material, sometimes it's a specific way to use color, and sometimes it's an idea. It is always intended to challenge - encourage - the members to stretch themselves, their skills and their vision, in new directions. I rarely enter the Challenge myself, but when I do, it's usually because the idea behind that Challenge has grabbed hold of my brain and won't let go.

  • Copper and Silver Plaid Pendant
    Copper and Silver Plaid Pendant

    Several years ago, I set a Challenge theme of Plaids or Stripes, thinking that it could be fairly easy to accomplish with seed beads or other small-size beads. But then my metalsmithing brain took over, and wanted to make a plaid in metal! This pendant is the result. Once I figured out what to use for the stripes of the plaid, it wasn't really difficult - although I was longing for 4 or 5 hands when I was weaving the plaid.