Instagram story viewer> @holdensc> Tagged

holdensc

@holdensc

5.4K

followers

3951

following

Metalsmith. Mama. Chicago.
💎💎💎💎💎💎
Jewelry Portfolio @holdenmetalsco

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Pulling put some contemporary classics. Beautiful initial ring with a snake motif from @ericabellojewelry and a pearl ring from @holdensc. Both beauties!
*
#backyardwithaview #bespokejewelry #jotd #moresnakesplease #personalcollection

12

2

Sarah Holden⁠’s necklaces are a contemporary mix of chains and pearls. Whether you go with the pretty pink or the bold mix of black and white, any piece will elevate your next look. ⁠
.⁠
⁠.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#contemporaryartjewelry #wearableart #chicagojewelrystore #handmadejewelry #uniquegifts

67

2

Sarah Holden @holdensc was my first in-gallery purchase, way before I had the language for contemporary art jewelry. I’ve been collecting and following her work ever since.

With time, Sarah’s practice has become one of the touchstones for how I learned to look. Her point of view is so clear, and her work rewards attention without requiring you to arrive with an explanation for why you love it. I think that is part of why I have loved it for so long.

We’ve just received a new collection at Sifuentes Metalsmith, with new work alongside fresh versions of longtime favorites.

See the full collection through the link in our bio, or come spend some time with it in person.

And if one piece keeps pulling you back, tell me which one.

292

20

I just got back from the best scissor making class @penlandschool with @sethgould and Peter Ross

This class shaped my whole year and inspired so much learning and growth even in the months before the class. It has been so fun learning to forge and making new friends in this craft. 🔥

The class 🥰

We started by forging scissor blanks in the coal forge

And after a bunch of attempts, I got 2 that roughly matched

The handles were too big for my hands, so I adjusted the length and fit

And spent like 2 days fitting and adjusting so they would cut

AND THEY DID CUT WOW BE AMAZED

Heat treated the blades so they will stay sharp

Has anyone seen the other half of my scissors? What about my bolt? Whose file is this?

Filing for 3 more days

Making really sure they cut (it was pretty touch and go😱)

Copper inlay

Rivet

Patina 😎

Final class project 😊

Swooning

Being amazed

Swooning

So much swooning

96

7

📍 MIDWEST REGION (PART 1) 🇺🇸
Steel towns, lake towns, and a whole lot of fire — the Midwest doesn't do subtle, and neither does its jewelry 🔥

Illinois: @almasikafinejewellery
Inspired by sound waves and the forms through which they ebb and flow, the Harmony Collection transforms the belief that every being is composed of vibrating particles that resonate with sound. Founded by Catherine Sarr, ALMASIKA was born in London, debuted in Paris, and now calls Chicago home — sculptural 18K gold fine jewelry rooted in art, history, and culture.

➡️➡️➡️ Swipe for more
We're splitting this one into two parts — Part 2 lands this afternoon. 📍

Illinois: @metalheadjewelry
Static Noise Earrings, sterling silver and rainbow hematite. Hexagons of raw rainbow hematite — a rare iron oxide mineral that flashes a spectrum of colors in the light — float in asymmetrically sliced bezels amongst a deconstructed diamond of silver. Tattered, textured silver morphs into stratified silver static of rectangular and beaded wire, finished with a unique triangular ear wire. Nora Goldie hand-fabricates every piece in Chicago.

Illinois: @shopkhoi
The LYAH earring introduces a leather-linen technique for a soft, more organic feel alongside its signature conjoined sphere-and-teardrop silhouette. The YARI necklace is an oversized arrangement of oval beads, each crafted with a unique half-acrylic, half-gold finish for a captivating contrast between transparency and shine. KHOI was founded in 2022 by Ghanaian-Lebanese creative strategist Hayet Rida.

Illinois: @holdensc
Sarah Holden works out of Chicago, building contemporary art jewelry and sculpture that treats the wearable and the sculptural as one continuous practice.

@susanlenart — Susan Lenart Kazmer built a 30-year career traveling the world collecting talismans, amulets, and prayer boxes before co-founding Solii+Mi, a ceremonial jewelry line rooted in legacy and the sacred art of wearable power. Her runway-worn work has appeared in Elle and on the pages of Nordstrom and Ann Taylor collections.

Ohio: @tkiplinger
"Poetic metal" — Teresa Kiplinger is an interdisciplinary artist who combines precious metals, imagery, and original poetry t

3

13

I am settling back in the shop after two weeks at @penlandschool co-teaching a laminated scissor making class with Peter Ross. Forging, heat treating, and finishing scissors is not an easy task and this wonderful group of students took the challenge head on. It was a ton of fun, and everyone walked away with at least one pair, if not three. Big thanks to @crhebel for being a stellar assistant, and as always @blueonionbench for keeping up the iron studio so we had an ideal place to teach and create.

Don't miss the sculpture made from the classes discarded scissor blanks in the pursuit of learning. #putertogetheter

1k

12

Play ball!

55

2

Contemporary meets antique. Necklaces from @acanthusjewelry, @holdensc, and a killer antique chain with a dog clip from @erikas_artifacts. Added an antique bloodstone and carnelian fob and styled for the day!
*
#backyardwithaview #antiquejewellery #contemporaryjewelry #silverstack #neckmess

14

2

VIRTUAL STUDIO VISIT | Sarah Holden, Part II

Sarah’s sculpture and limited production jewelry investigates how female identity is constructed and performed through the body and can be found at galleries across the US.

Q: Do you have any tools with sentimental value? What/Where/Who do they connect you to?
A: I love collecting tools and items that my friends and fellow artists make. It keeps me connected to my people while I am not around them. My favorite steel block is by Pat Quinn and Kyle Martin over at The Center for Metal Arts, I have a brush by Adam Atkinson that is so soft and so perfect for getting in the small spaces, a collection of enameled bowls by Laura Fortune that I grabbed from her more than a decade ago, and a stunning enameled plate by Aurélie Guillaume that gives me so much joy. Also, the first tool that I bought for myself after graduate school is my 100lb Trenton anvil. I use it every day and it is my favorite tool in the shop!

Q: Is there something you are trying now that challenges you?
A: My constant challenge is trying to get all the things done that I want to do as an artist. Making limited-production jewelry, one-of-a-kind jewelry and sculpture. All these but also be a good mom and try to make sure that I am enjoying these kids as they grow up. I feel like I have more ideas, skills and opportunities than ever before and less time because I reserve so much to be with my family during this special time. It’s tough to do it all, but I sure am trying to make it work.

Q: What artist (visual or otherwise, living or dead) do you dream of sharing a studio with?
A: Man, what I wouldn’t give to share a studio with Lee Bontecou or Louise Borgeouis. These women are absolute icons to me. My work is so inspired by their work, their writings and their thoughts. What a dream it would be to even have met them before they died. Sharing a studio even for a day would be so legendary.

Oval Link Collar
Sterling silver

Engraved Drops
Sterling silver, mother of pearl

Triple Pearly Hoop | Mini | Silver
Sterling silver, freshwater pearls

To purchase or see more of Sarah's work please follow the link in the bio.

#penlandschoolofcraft

221

8

VIRTUAL STUDIO VISIT | Sarah Holden, Part I

Jewelry artist Sarah Holden recently gave us a virtual tour of her Chicago, IL, studio. She works as a studio artist, metals instructor, and mom.

Q: What is outside your studio window?
A: My studio space is in a small warehouse on the west side of Chicago. Outside of my window are some of my favorite things about Chicago. There is a freight train line only a few blocks away and I love hearing the train horn blow as it passes by. Close by my shop are the homes of Puerto Rican and Mexican families and they often have fiestas with fun upbeat music and the most delicious smelling things on the grill. My building is also nestled in a small community of industry, including a 5th generation family-owned non-ferrous casting facility and a 3rd generation grinding and machine company. It’s so cool to be in this little pocket of the city.

Q: Do you have any tools with sentimental value? What/Where/Who do they connect you to?
A: I love collecting tools and items that my friends and fellow artists make. It keeps me connected to my people while I am not around them. My favorite steel block is by Pat Quinn and Kyle Martin over at The Center for Metal Arts, I have a brush by Adam Atkinson that is so soft and so perfect for getting in the small spaces, a collection of enameled bowls by Laura Fortune that I grabbed from her more than a decade ago, and a stunning enameled plate by Aurélie Guillaume that gives me so much joy. Also, the first tool that I bought for myself after graduate school is my 100lb Trenton anvil. I use it every day and it is my favorite tool in the shop!

Oxi Pearl Chain Collar | Black
Oxidized sterling silver, freshwater pearls

Pearly Oxi Hoops | Mini Black
Sterling silver, fresh water pearl

Pearl Dot and Dash Earrings | Silver
Sterling silver, freshwater pearls

Oxi Triple Pearly Hoop | Mini Silver
Sterling silver, freshwater pearls

Pearl Baubles | Mini | Engraved
Oxidized sterling silver, 14k gold, 18k gold

To purchase or see more of Sarah's work please follow the link in the bio.

#penlandschoolofcraft #penlandgallery #contemporarycraft #metals

220

0

Sarah Holden⁠ recently dropped by the gallery to deliver new work! We are happy to have some of her classic statement necklaces back in stock as well as a collection of new, one-of-a-kind abalone and pearl earrings!⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#contemporaryartjewelry #wearableart #chicagoboutique #handmadejewelry #SNAGmember

74

2

Working some blues today! Navy has become my neutral of choice and love how these pieces dress me up!
*
Necklace is a favorite from @holdensc with earrings from @patricia_locke_ltd. Classics!
*
#backyardwithaview #classicsforme #jotd #silverpearlnecklace #handmadeisbest❤️

14

3