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Each Kokoons
work is a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, conceived and created by the
artist, Debbie Thornton, in her
Ridgefield
,
Connecticut
studio.
This is original, hand-crafted jewelry inspired by the rich
tapestry of nature’s beauty; using its bounty of precious metals,
pearls and gemstones. Many
of these one-of-a-kind pieces are influenced by the ancient cultures of
Egypt
,
Mesopotamia
, and
Byzantium
in design or in
technique.
Kokoons
pieces are lovingly created from natural elements; hand-alloyed gold
(usually 22kt and 24kt), pure and sterling silver, pearls from all over
the world, hand painted cloisonné enamels, and a wide selection of
precious and semi-precious gems.
After
perfecting a design, Debbie begins the process of fabrication by
precisely alloying pure, 24kt gold into the karat gold required for the
piece of jewelry. She works
the gold into wire and sheet and creates the structure of the piece.
Once this setting is complete, Debbie sets the chosen gems,
wire-works in any precious or semi-precious gem beads, or creates the
24kt cloisonné wires into which she will “paint” and fire multiple
layers of enamel to achieve the finished piece of jewelry.
The
variety of jewelry designs and materials to choose among provides a wide
range of prices for clients. Many
of these designs can be made in silver or gold and clients can choose
precious or semi-precious stones to complement them.
Debbie is highly enamored of all types of pearls and freely uses
large, creamy white
South
Sea
pearls, tantalizing
black Tahitian pearls, saltwater, freshwater, mabé and even osmena
pearls in her jewelry designs. Prices
for Kokoons jewelry range from $55.00 to $11,000.00
Please
enjoy browsing through the jewelry selections; many other designs are
available. If you would like
something else, please contact the artist.
Custom commissions are welcomed.
Artist’s
note: My jewelry company,
Kokoons, is loosely named for mulberry leaf-eating silkworms and their
protective, soft and cottony cocoons which provide the strong,
shimmering and lovely silk I use to string all my pearls.
Kokoons is meant to convey the sensuous comfort
and exhilaration derived from wearing a beautiful,
hand-made piece of jewelry selected to kindle
your own spirit.
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