What methods does Gowan use to create her jewelry?
A. Gowan works predominantly with the traditional Etruscan Goldsmithing methods, she learned in her apprenticeship, as well as utilizing Traditional Silversmithing and modern Blacksmithing and Coppersmithing methods. She uses traditional hand-tools: torches, hand saws, hand drills, hammers, anvils and files. Many of her tools are antiques, and many others she has made herself (these days, her blacksmithing work is confined mostly to tool fabrication). Modern motorized implements are used only occasionally, and then predominantly for finishing and polishing work. Gowan uses traditional European Hard Solder which creates a strong and virtually invisible join. She DOES NOT use Paste Solder (the modern production jewelry standard) which contains Cadmium, a toxic poison. Paste Solder requires less skill to use, but also creates brittle discolored joins, in addition to being toxic. The image to the left is of Gowan drilling a bezel with a vintage hand drill. We only ethically sourced solid p
