User talk:BrittneyHampton

Harold O'Connor
Harold O'Connor is an American jeweler that has been a Practicing goldsmith and teacher for 40 years and has conducted over 200 workshops. O'Connor is internationally known as a master of the skill and reticulation. As well as another methods of surface texturing like granulation, were he takes pollen sized grains of gold and fuzes it to a surface to create intricate textures and patterns. Another technique O’Connor uses is embossing to achieve a subtle form of surface patterning, metal is fed through a rolling mill with handmade Japanese paper. O'Connor holds a degree in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico, and his study of Anthropology has influenced the design of his jewelry. The way he manipulates silver shows a resemblance to maps or other aerial topography. He also studied at the College of Art & Design in Pforzheim, Germany. O'Connor’s experience from studying abroad has highly affected his work and he believes he would not have accomplished the things he had, had he not been pushed to attend a German university.

Here are some of O'Connor's work: Surface Wizardry Brooch and Pendant Framed Fragment Silver and Gold Granulation Ring

"Each of my series of works consists usually of new designs and also some technical processes I have not done. I usually design the series first and then find out how to make it. I am interested in making small things and the methods of goldsmithing have been of great appeal to me. I intend to study different methods of construction and to hopefully evolve them more efficiently in my daily working".

Harold O'Connor has been a part of multiple public and private collections:


 * The Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.
 * The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
 * The National Ornamental Metal Museum
 * The Goldsmith Hall
 * Cesky Raj Museum
 * Czech Republic The State Art Gallery
 * The German Goldsmith Society
 * Patina Gallery

Throughout O'Connor’s career as a jeweler, he has written multiple books to help guide younger metalsmiths such as:


 * New Direction in Goldsmithing (1975)
 * Procedures and Formulas for Metal Craftsmen (1976)
 * The Jewelers Bench Reference (1977)
 * Creative Jewelry Techniques (1978)
 * The Flexible Shaft Machine (1983).