Metalsmith Benchtalk Past Favorites with Tom Herman

This Thursday, October 22nd, 2015 at 3 p.m. PST on MetalSmith BenchTalk, we'll be going back into the archives for one of our favorite past episodes- a chat from 2012 with artist and jeweler Tom Herman of Seven Fingers Jewelers.

About: Since he was a boy, Tom Herman has been an artist. In 1982, he channeled his artistic talents into his new business, Seven Fingers Jewelers, named for his own handprint after having lost three fingers as a child in a Minnesota farming accident. Over the last 30 years, Tom has become a master jewelry maker, renowned for his talents at working with precious stones, metal carving, and unique designs.

Tom’s timeless pieces are inspired by organic forms and geometric balance. In designs that centerpiece precious stones, Tom begins by searching through piles of opals, agates, or other precious materials to find unique stones that, in his words, “are able to take on a greater meaning”. With this vision, Tom cuts each stone and frames it in a way to bring out its natural beauty.

Not all Tom’s pieces focus on precious stones; his precious metal carving is spectacular enough to stand alone. Some of his most popular carvings, including laurel, oak, and ginkgo leaves, have been rendered in earrings, rings, cufflinks, brooches, and bracelets. Throughout his work, Tom has cultivated his talents and created pieces of art that will be worn and admired for many generations to come.

For more information about Tom and his work, visit http://www.sevenfingers.com.