Susan Panciera

Susan Panciera Studio

"The creation of jewelry and metal art appeals to my instinctive desire for balance and connection. A successful piece comes from a careful relationship between specialized tools, malleable metal, and the hands that bring the two together."

Susan Panciera feels that the relationship between the artwork and the wearer is crucial in the creation of jewelry. Human adornment with metal jewelry is found in every culture throughout history, and is often passed down from generation to generation. In her work, Panciera strives to achieve a balance between delicacy and strength, movement and comfort, evolving styles and timelessness.

Susan Panciera fabricates her jewelry using argentium sterling silver along with gold, precious and semi-precious gemstones, and pearls for color and contrast. In her studio, she uses the traditional fabrication techniques of sawing, forging, forming, soldering, and polishing using low-tech tools such as hammers, pliers, files, saws, torches, and her own hands. Her jewelry is handcrafted one piece at a time or in limited series.

Since 1986, Susan Panciera has worked with many talented goldsmiths, first handcrafting silver jewelry, then creating hand-forged 14K earrings for a designer goldsmith, and later, working in gold, platinum, and gemstones alongside five highly skilled goldsmiths in a custom jewelry store. This hands-on development of techniques, along with workshops and classes, has provided her with a lifelong education in metalworking.

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Selected Exhibitions & Awards
Walker Jewelry Mart, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN, 2012-2014
Holiday Fare, Art Center of Saint Peter, St. Peter, MN, 2011-2012
Collections
First Friday Trunk Show, Seasons on St. Croix Gallery, Hudson, WI, 2012
Featured Artist Event, Waters of Superior, Duluth, MN, 2013-2014 (upcoming)