Sunrise Designs

Primitive by Design is jewelry inspired by the natural beauty found in stones, gems, wood, leather, natural fibers, and hand worked metals.

In keeping with the principles and standards established by Sunrise Designs founder, I try to make my pieces as unique as possible. However working with natural materials my work is far easier to duplicate if you see a piece you like and want a second version or a replacement piece. Also, there are occasions where I find myself liking a particular design and I'll try to get materials to make several sets or variants of that set to have on hand.

Still, like my partner at Sundrise, my designs and constructions are unique in that they are totally my own in concept and creation. If you'd like to see a sample of my work for sale check out the "Primitive by Design Catalog" link to the right!

Why do I call my work "Primitive"?

First and foremost when I started out I was just trying to make a few odds and ends to hand out as gifts but the things I wanted to make were a little bit past what a beginner should attempt. I tried them anyway, and a funny thing happened - turns out I have a knack for making jewelry.

I moved on from those first few pieces and began working with wire to make my own findings and clasps, from there I began experimenting with natural fibers, leather, wood, carved bone and unfinished, or rough finished stones.

The more I explored this alternative approach to jewelry crafting the more I fell in love with the chance to combine things like unpolished Agate slices and hand-carved Mahogany tiles (see the necklace to the right) and create the type of jewelry art you really don't see in stores - the kind of jewelry that, I think, means more because it combines the modern and the primitive, and is truly unique.