Wooden Jewelry
Wood is a fantastic medium for earrings and necklaces! Wooden jewelry is extremely lightweight, compliments all skin tones and hair colors, can be worn with a range of looks from chic and elegant to boho-casual.
All of my wooden jewelry designs are original. As laser cutters become more popular, many wooden earrings on the market and at shows are not designed by the seller and are instead free or purchased designs found online. I love the process of design, and spend a significant amount of time developing new designs intended to compliment a variety of interests and styles.
I use my own in-studio K40 laser cutter to cut each jewelry piece using solid maple, cherry, and padauk woods. I also offer a variety of natural stone, cubic zirconia, glass, and shell center options for most designs.
Find my wooden jewelry at local shops, in-person shows, and at my studio. Please feel free to contact me to make an appointment to visit the studio!
This piece about my wooden jewelry, process, and background was graciously made by the talented producers at our local PBS station, WPSU!paper is
Using pencil and paper is my favorite way to design jewelry. Although I appreciate the power of technology and require it for my work, my personal feeling is that designing using pencil and paper provides a more natural and free perspective. When designing jewelry I aim to incorporate a diverse range of styles and interests that lend to unique yet elegant individualism and self-expression. I especially love combining opposites such as sharp confident edges with soft curves into a single design. I find inspiration from many things, but mostly find design inspiration through conceptual patterns with movement and meaning often found in nature and abstract art.
Using pencil and paper is my favorite way to design jewelry. Although I appreciate the power of technology and require it for my work, my personal feeling is that designing using pencil and paper provides a more natural and free perspective. When designing jewelry I aim to incorporate a diverse range of styles and interests that lend to unique yet elegant individualism and self-expression. I especially love combining opposites such as sharp confident edges with soft curves into a single design. I find inspiration from many things, but mostly find design inspiration through conceptual patterns with movement and meaning often found in nature and abstract art.
After designing, it's time to prep the wood and cut! Cherry, Maple, and Padauk are the primary species I use for jewelry, but I've experimented with at least eighteen additional tree species including Bloodwood which was a particular favorite since it smells like roasted coconut when burned! The wood species I use must have the perfect combination of uniform strength, density, hardness, "cuttability", and natural beauty. All of my jewelry designs are put through a series of tests to ensure strength and integrity for daily wear.
After designing, it's time to prep the wood and cut! Cherry, Maple, and Padauk are the primary species I use for jewelry, but I've experimented with at least eighteen additional tree species including Bloodwood which was a particular favorite since it smells like roasted coconut when burned! The wood species I use must have the perfect combination of uniform strength, density, hardness, "cuttability", and natural beauty. All of my jewelry designs are put through a series of tests to ensure strength and integrity for daily wear.
I love my K40 laser cutter! This particular machine was not an "open it up and turn it on" machine and I only recommend it to those who are interested in learning about laser cutters and are up to the task of fixing several problems since these cutters usually never arrive in working condition. It took a few months of research, fixes, modifications, upgrades, rewiring, cooling system development, and help from online groups and local experts to start making jewelry! Thank you to Matt at The Make Space in State College for all of your knowledge and advice, and Paul for your help in diagnosing my x-axis issue! I continue to explore upgrades and modifications to optimize the cutter for making jewelry. When all is ready to go I use two different software programs to translate my designs into a language that the laser cutter understands, throw on protective eyewear, and the cutter does the rest!
I love my K40 laser cutter! This particular machine was not an "open it up and turn it on" machine and I only recommend it to those who are interested in learning about laser cutters and are up to the task of fixing several problems since these cutters usually never arrive in working condition. It took a few months of research, fixes, modifications, upgrades, rewiring, cooling system development, and help from online groups and local experts to start making jewelry! Thank you to Matt at The Make Space in State College for all of your knowledge and advice, and Paul for your help in diagnosing my x-axis issue! I continue to explore upgrades and modifications to optimize the cutter for making jewelry. When all is ready to go I use two different software programs to translate my designs into a language that the laser cutter understands, throw on protective eyewear, and the cutter does the rest!
Matching stones to dangle earring, stud earring, and necklace designs is one of my favorite parts of the jewelry making process. I love learning about and experimenting with different stones and materials. There are several stones that I consistently have available, but I always have new, odd, and unusual stones that are less common which is why I offer color options instead of stone type when selecting stones to accompany your jewelry. If you have a particular stone, crystal, or glass style in mind, please contact me and I will be happy to check for its availability!
Matching stones to dangle earring, stud earring, and necklace designs is one of my favorite parts of the jewelry making process. I love learning about and experimenting with different stones and materials. There are several stones that I consistently have available, but I always have new, odd, and unusual stones that are less common which is why I offer color options instead of stone type when selecting stones to accompany your jewelry. If you have a particular stone, crystal, or glass style in mind, please contact me and I will be happy to check for its availability!
FAQ
FAQ
Why wooden jewelry?
Why wooden jewelry?
Wood is a fantastic medium for earrings and necklaces! Wooden jewelry is extremely lightweight, compliments all skin tones and hair colors, can be worn with a range of looks from boho and casual to chic and elegant, offers a diversity of natural colors from dark rich red-brown (padauk) to light beige (maple), and is not cold to the touch like metal jewelry (such as necklaces and dangle earrings that touch the neck throughout the day) on those cold winter days!
Wood is a fantastic medium for earrings and necklaces! Wooden jewelry is extremely lightweight, compliments all skin tones and hair colors, can be worn with a range of looks from boho and casual to chic and elegant, offers a diversity of natural colors from dark rich red-brown (padauk) to light beige (maple), and is not cold to the touch like metal jewelry (such as necklaces and dangle earrings that touch the neck throughout the day) on those cold winter days!
What sets your wooden jewelry apart from other wooden jewelry?
What sets your wooden jewelry apart from other wooden jewelry?
All of my dangle and stud earring designs are original! Each stud earring is made with natural maple wood, with several opal (synthetic) center options! I also offer a variety of natural stone, glass, crystal, and shell bead options for most dangle earring designs which is an uncommon addition to wooden jewelry. Every dangle earring also has two unique natural wood species options including maple and padauk.
All of my dangle and stud earring designs are original! Each stud earring is made with natural maple wood, with several opal (synthetic) center options! I also offer a variety of natural stone, glass, crystal, and shell bead options for most dangle earring designs which is an uncommon addition to wooden jewelry. Every dangle earring also has two unique natural wood species options including maple and padauk.
How do I purchase jewelry?
How do I purchase jewelry?
Caring for your wooden jewelry.
Caring for your wooden jewelry.
Part of the beauty of my wooden jewelry is that it's natural, untreated wood. Every single design and species of wood used to make jewelry are put through a series of short and long-term tests to ensure that they are structurally sound for daily wear. However, any wooden jewelry made from untreated natural wood is delicate by nature and should be treated as such. Please take care to store your jewelry in a safe location while not wearing them, and do not wear them while showering or in water.
Part of the beauty of my wooden jewelry is that it's natural, untreated wood. Every single design and species of wood used to make jewelry are put through a series of short and long-term tests to ensure that they are structurally sound for daily wear. However, any wooden jewelry made from untreated natural wood is delicate by nature and should be treated as such. Please take care to store your jewelry in a safe location while not wearing them, and do not wear them while showering or in water.
How do I contact you?
How do I contact you?
Please contact me using Etsy messages, located on my Etsy Page underneath the profile image on the top right (click "Contact").
Please contact me using Etsy messages, located on my Etsy Page underneath the profile image on the top right (click "Contact").
Is the wood you use treated?
Is the wood you use treated?
All of the wood I use is untreated and 100% natural and solid!
All of the wood I use is untreated and 100% natural and solid!
What are the bead and stone options for jewelry?
What are the bead and stone options for jewelry?
Since I have a large variety of stones and beads, options for dangle earrings (if applicable) are based on color preference. I carry a number of natural stones, glass, shells, and other materials as options.
Since I have a large variety of stones and beads, options for dangle earrings (if applicable) are based on color preference. I carry a number of natural stones, glass, shells, and other materials as options.
For some dangle earring designs, I often like to include a secondary smaller stone in my jewelry to accompany the primary stone. If you have a preference whether you'd like one or two stones, or if you'd like two different colors (for the double stone option), please indicate your preference in the comments section upon checkout.
For some dangle earring designs, I often like to include a secondary smaller stone in my jewelry to accompany the primary stone. If you have a preference whether you'd like one or two stones, or if you'd like two different colors (for the double stone option), please indicate your preference in the comments section upon checkout.
The "No Stone" selection refers to the design that does not include stones, if applicable.
The "No Stone" selection refers to the design that does not include stones, if applicable.
If you have a specific bead material that you are interested in, please send me an email or message and I'd be happy to check for its availability in my stock!
If you have a specific bead material that you are interested in, please send me an email or message and I'd be happy to check for its availability in my stock!
What materials do you use for earring French hooks, stud posts, and necklaces?
What materials do you use for earring French hooks, stud posts, and necklaces?
* For those with sensitive ears, I recommend either surgical steel or titanium.
* For those with sensitive ears, I recommend either surgical steel or titanium.
I use high quality 316L grade surgical steel French hooks, however if you require a different material I also carry titanium (Grade 1, ASTM F67, unalloyed), 925 sterling silver, 925 gold plated sterling silver, or medical grade PC plastic (metal free). If you would like any of these alternative options (no extra charge), please indicate your preference in a message at checkout.
I use high quality 316L grade surgical steel French hooks, however if you require a different material I also carry titanium (Grade 1, ASTM F67, unalloyed), 925 sterling silver, 925 gold plated sterling silver, or medical grade PC plastic (metal free). If you would like any of these alternative options (no extra charge), please indicate your preference in a message at checkout.
I use stainless steel stud posts with stainless steel butterfly backings, however if you require a different material I also carry titanium (Grade 1, ASTM F67, unalloyed) and acrylic posts. If you would like any of these alternative options (no extra charge), please indicate your preference in a message at checkout.
I use stainless steel stud posts with stainless steel butterfly backings, however if you require a different material I also carry titanium (Grade 1, ASTM F67, unalloyed) and acrylic posts. If you would like any of these alternative options (no extra charge), please indicate your preference in a message at checkout.
Do you offer gift wrapping?
Do you offer gift wrapping?
Gift wrapping is included with every order!
Gift wrapping is included with every order!
