Hello and thank you for showing interest in my work. I specialize in fine art jewelry and metal sculpture, as well as forged steel, welding, and fabrication. In my free time, I also paint and am a musician. All of my artwork is handmade in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In 2006, I earned Bachelor's Degrees in metals and glass blowing from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (with cum laude honors). I completed a minor in Art History, specializing in tribal art.

I have always been drawn to organic designs, forms, and textures. Typically, I have a definitive design in mind but I work in an organic manner. Rather than forcefully imposing my design onto the metal, I work with the materials and allow the forms to develop naturally during the creation process. Metal has a surprisingly organic nature to it and I find that working in this style allows my pieces to take on a unique, natural appearance. This concept plays heavily in the way that I forge metal and the forms that I create.

I find heavy surface textures, especially hammer marks and patinas, beautiful. I believe that the presence of hammer and file marks are important elements that demonstrate the mark of the maker, giving each piece its own individual identity, a feeling of timelessness, and distinguishes that my work is made by hand. I am by the American Craftsman and Art Nouveau movements of the late-1800s to early-1930s. All of these influences have inspired my unique sense of style and design.

I start my work with wire or flat pieces of metal. Each piece is hand formed using a process of heating, hammering, shaping, and cooling. The resulting pieces are truly unique - no two are ever alike.

My jewelry is always designed with the wearer in mind. Hand-formed metal components are sealed with a lacquer upon completion, which means that the materials and patinas (finishes) will not change over time or react with skin contact.

My neck pieces are all made of solid sterling silver that has been antiqued with a patina. The torque neck pieces are forged by hand in my shop. I also offer for pendants to be hung on a silver (sterling silver plated in fine silver) chains, which are commercially supplied from Italy. Chain lengths are pictured in 18”, but other lengths can be custom ordered (also available in 20” and 24”). Some of these chains are antiqued with a non-toxic patina.

Earring wires are made of solid Niobium, which is a hypoallergenic alloy. Sterling silver is available upon request at no additional charge.

My work is made from found, natural objects and built into wearable keepsakes. The materials I use have character and are inherently unique, and that is what I enjoy about working and creating with them. Although each object is described and photographed to the best of my ability, the nature of hand forging and sourcing of natural stones and minerals often lends to each product's uniqueness.

I collect and create everything in a small shop in my back yard, while my wife is the photographer, marketing guru, and the organizing force behind my online presence. We love to drink lots, and lots of coffee.

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Let's Connect!
Facebook | www.facebook.com/uruzmetals
Instagram | www.instagram.com/uruzmetals
Pinterest | www.pinterest.com/uruzmetals
Website | www.uruzmetals.com

Follow along on Instagram @uruzmetals and use the hashtag #uruzmetals to submit images of your fine art jewelry and sculpture.

And our other shops:
Nuttier Than A Squirrel | www.nuttierthanasquirrel.etsy.com
The Sweet Emulsion | www.thesweetemulsion.etsy.com - coming soon!
bomb bombs | www.bombbombs.etsy.com - also coming soon!!