in 1973 ... ... I answered a silversmith’s help-wanted ad in the Auckland newspaper. I imagined an elderly man with a wondrous array of tools and failing eyesight in need of a young assistant. What I found when I arrived at the given address was not a workshop, but a derelict house with only a blanket for a front door. My new boss, Will, was a peace corps hippie with a few funky tools and a little business making signs of the zodiac. I got lots of practice bending and snipping and filing. Back in Canada, the following year I set up on my own, learning from the only book I could find and with lots of experimentation. My Dad made me a mandrel from a piece of an old washing machine, and together we constructed a tumbler from a barbecue spit and sandblasters spent shot. Off and on for the next twenty years I enjoyed making jewelry part-time. In the early 90’s, I developed severe repetitive strain, and I had to give up silversmithing ... Then, in 2005, I heard rumours of sintering, a new way of working in gold and silver. Essentially the metal is pulverised and the particles are mixed with a binder to make a form of metal that is as workable as clay. Working with metal in this way released a flood of design ideas, and helped to heal my hands. Gradually, I’m able to bring my old silversmithing knowledge to the finishing stages of the work, for once the metal ‘clay’ is fired and sintered, it becomes hard, solid metal, 99.9% pure silver, and all the old techniques become useful again. My life as a smith is much different from when I began 35 years ago. In addition to the new sintering technology, there’s a much broader selection of tools and supplies, and a new generosity in the sharing of know-how. Lately I’ve become fascinated with the ancient technique of keum-boo, for diffusing pure gold on fine silver. I like solving the technical puzzles of silversmithing, and I enjoy studying the history of jewelry design. I especially love seeing the spark of light in the eyes of my customers and friends when they find a new favourite piece of handmade jewelry that truly reflects their own natural beauty.
 
 
Susan Ellenton The Story of Stardust
 
email Susan: susan@susanellenton.com
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