Necklace in Sterling and Branch Coral
This necklace took me years to make. My grandfather, Frank Patania, Sr. purchased the Branch Coral in the 1950’s when he took a trip back to his homeland of Italy. Since my grandfather died in 1964, my father had this coral and used much of it over the years. I had seen this coral in the vault of my family’s business all my apprenticeship and when I took over the business in 1990 it became mine.
I struggled to come up with a design for this material for many years. Then one day I took 8 pieces and just started. I made bezels and and began to join them in an organic design. I then got inspired and added the texture of the bead wire, forged to give it more interest and the chain which I wrapped multiple times instead of a single jump ring.
I closed my retail store in ‘03 and put this unfinished piece away. I took it out after getting situated in my studio space on Toole Ave. in Tucson and promptly made so many mistakes and had so many problems with it I put it away again.
It had been viewed in my safe by several people who I respected (and trusted enough to look into my safe) and had always been asked why I didn’t finish it. I just couldn’t bring myself to finish it after all that time. I had lost the momentum and interest for it but I couldn’t bring myself to scrap it out either.
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Laura Guptill 10.11.08 at 7:54 am
This is gorgeous Sam. I’m so glad you listened to Lona and finished it! Lovely and organic feel to it.