Last year on a trip to India I picked up some Indian woodblocks (seen above) ostensibly for paper and cloth projects, for which they are usually used, for my home and studio. However, when I returned and started playing around in my jewelry studio, I realized I could take a wax imprint of the woodblock and capture the texture and pattern usually seen on tablecloths, tunics and bedspreads. Instead of seeing the pattern, you feel it imprinted in the sterling silver and 10KT gold that I use. Instead of ink, I add diamonds and sapphires for color. There may be butterflies, hibiscus, snowflakes, leaves, seahorses and more in my jewelry, but each piece starts on one of my woodblocks.

My wax carving skills were honed at the Crafts Students’ League of New York and at FIT, but my ability to look at something that is used for one thing and apply it to another craft comes from growing up with a wonderfully wacky, and wonderfully creative mother.

-Page Sargisson