about

mitsuro

Since 2008, Liz has been creating organic jewelry in gold and silver using a traditional Japanese hand-sculpting technique. The masters are created using a sculpting wax called mitsuro - a mixture of organic beeswax and pine resin cooked here in the studio.

Sculpting with the wax is a meditative and process driven activity, and many new pieces result from direct experimentation with the wax. The wax is warmed to body temperature in the hands until it becomes pliable, and then gently stretched like taffy. This stretching creates the finely grooved texture, called hikime.

The unpredictability of the process brings an aliveness to both the process of creation and the finished product.  The finished pieces explore the simplicity of natural forms, and the process of pattern formation in nature.

You can read a bit more about Liz's design inspirations in a Q+A she did on the Heath Ceramics blog

studio

Liz works in a studio that is part of a small group of artist's spaces located above the Heath Ceramics factory in San Francisco.

Visits are available by appointment. 

Please contact us to book a studio visit to shop in-stock work, or to discuss a custom piece.