Gogo Borgerding combines her love of vibrant color with her passion for bold design to create sterling silver and anodized aluminum cuff bracelets that resemble 1950s picnicware. She took some time to tell us about the inspirations and processes behind her "Two-Tone Spear" and eight other cuffs that were featured in our Fall catalog.

Please provide a few details about the inspiration and techniques used to produce the "Two-Tone Spear."

The design of the cutout comes after filtering through hundreds of graphic patterns. A chosen design must possess a special quality which sets it apart, one which will make the entire cuff pop. The technique used to make the bracelets consists of layering colored anodized aluminum sheets underneath a sterling silver top layer. The graphic design is cut out of the silver using a delicate jeweler’s saw, and the individual layers are sandwiched together, pierced through using a drill, and attached with handmade silver rivets.

More details from Gogo Borgerding …



How did you get started as an artist?
I worked in a jewelry store for eight years. I started playing around with Shrinky Dink material making silly earrings for friends. I wanted to finish my college degree and decided to go to a specialized school to learn metalsmithing. I graduated from The Savannah College of Art and Design in Metals and Jewelry Design in 2000.

Who or what has influenced your art the most?
Color and bold graphic designs.

Describe a breakthrough moment.
Everywhere I would go my jewelry always got attention. My friends would say, "I have emeralds, diamonds, and no one comments on them. I put on one of your cuffs and it’s the talk of the night!"

Where do you get your best ideas?
In the oddest places. Concepts come into my mind while watching/listening to music in night clubs, watching actors perform in theatre, and seeing different individual styles while people watching. I get inspired watching other people express their own creativity.

What is your studio like?
Crowded! Only the necessities. Everything else gets sent home.

What do you keep in your studio to inspire you?
Cuttings of beautiful color combinations from magazines. Hand drawings or written ideas of future designs attached to my inspiration board.

What do you do when you’re not making art?
Succulent container gardening, making mix CD’s for friends, performing in local theatre, and playing late-night Bingo.

What do you do when you need inspiration?
Go on vacation.

What do you love about what you do?
Having jewelry that means so much to me appreciated by others.

What’s next in your work?
Exploring more with anodized aluminum. I would love to work with gold.

If you weren’t an artist, you’d be …
A fabulous window display designer or a Tony-winning actress on Broadway...whichever came first.

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