Terry Thompson Jewelry

Terry Thompson Jewelry Original hand fabricated sterling silver jewelry People have adorned their bodies with jewelry since prehistoric times.

Today, jewelry is a major accessory, very personal, and appreciated as an expression of the wearer's self. Metal jewelry is a fashion icon whether it is gold, silver, copper, or a combination of these and other metals. Adorning metal has been a practice since ancient times. Whether it be with precious or semiprecious stones, or found objects, decorating the metal has been a constant practice. I ap

preciate every era of jewelry and take inspiration from it. Cloisonne is a process of transforming a piece of metal by placing wires on a prepared metal surface in a desired pattern, filling the wires with powdered glass by various processes, firing the piece in a kiln between each layer, then grinding and polishing the piece to the desired sheen. A personal "gem" has then been created, and is usually set into a metal setting fabricated to compliment the "gem". In my silver fabrication I use a gem, whether semi-precious, found object or cloisonne "gem" to guide my design process. Ideas often come from a culture, nature and whimsy.

The Pullman Arts Center jewelry challenge wrapped up on Saturday the 18th.  Participants included experienced teachers t...
04/20/2026

The Pullman Arts Center jewelry challenge wrapped up on Saturday the 18th. Participants included experienced teachers to students and newbies.It was a challenge to use odds and ends given to us to incorporate into jewelry. The odds and ends included Chinese play money, a monopoly piece, Mexican lottery ticket, beads, mahjong tile, etc. I decided to use copper as my base. The fan used the play money, and beads; bar necklace used the steel swan;bracelet the brass strip; pin used the aluminum honeycomb and a flower; Milagros used the lotto card, copper chain, canon monopoly, beads; the Chinese “lock” design used a bit of tin and mahjong tile. I was definitely out of my comfort zone and loved designing completely new jewelry. Everyone did exceptional work. Stay tuned to next years challenge!

At the Pullen Arts jewelry challenge all members, instructors and students were invited to participate.  These artists r...
04/19/2026

At the Pullen Arts jewelry challenge all members, instructors and students were invited to participate. These artists range from experienced to newbies. Their design esthetics took them to experiment with all the odds and ends presented to them to include in their work. It was so exciting to see how each of them approached the challenge and achieved such lovely results. Kiersten Bowser, Jason Hucking, Jeffrey Liston, Ndidi Kowalczyk, Chris Goforth and Emily Malpass gave me permission to post their results. Pullen Art Center is a wonderful place to expand your creativity. Spread the word and encourage everyone to try something new.

These are some of my idea sketches for the Pullen Art Center’s jewelry challenge.  We were given a box of small objects ...
03/31/2026

These are some of my idea sketches for the Pullen Art Center’s jewelry challenge. We were given a box of small objects to include in our pieces. Some metal odd and ends, beads, pictures, a large glass bead, paper money, etc.. so, really out of my usual design esthetic, of gemstones in Sterling Silver. An interesting challenge and fun to create new designs out of surprises. Stay tuned as the deadline is April 15, when I’ll show you the final pieces.😊

There are still spaces open for this keepsake copper container class and I would love to teach you how to make your own!...
02/23/2026

There are still spaces open for this keepsake copper container class and I would love to teach you how to make your own! It will be perfect for saving little treasures, like coins from your travels, lock of hair from babies first haircut of first lost tooth, or as a ring box , guitar pick holder, you name it. Sign up soon at Pullen Art Center , Leisure Ledger, Raleigh.gov/leisureledger, ,nc

March 7 & 8, Saturday and Sunday, sign up for this fun class at Pullen Art Center and make a personal keepsake container...
02/22/2026

March 7 & 8, Saturday and Sunday, sign up for this fun class at Pullen Art Center and make a personal keepsake container, copper with a locking closure. Design your own by etching , riveting, stone setting , etc. You will be etching first, then applying a surface element before soldering. Create a beautiful and very special piece of art.

Here are an examples of coin setting that were also taught during the “prongs made easy” class at Pullen Art Center here...
02/12/2026

Here are an examples of coin setting that were also taught during the “prongs made easy” class at Pullen Art Center here in Raleigh. A nice way to remember your travels. Or, the Buffalo nickel can be given as a reminder of our not so distant past, a little western vibe .
Next week I’ll be posting examples of the “keepsake” container where etching and a simple locking mechanism I will be teaching on the weekend of March 7 and 8, at Pullen Art Center. Fun and very pretty.

One more photo from my prong setting made easy class.  Love the color palette and wire work.  Yay!             Getting r...
02/04/2026

One more photo from my prong setting made easy class. Love the color palette and wire work. Yay! Getting ready for the locking copper container class March 7&8. We will be etching unique designs and a locking mechanism. It can be a stand alone container or a pendant. A unique piece that can feature rivets, gemstones, overlay or whatever else you want to add. See you then!

My prong setting class just ended and look at what they created!  Everyone was attentive and creative.  It was a joy to ...
01/31/2026

My prong setting class just ended and look at what they created! Everyone was attentive and creative. It was a joy to teach them. Now they can explore using this technique in future jewelry projects. My next class is March 7 & 8 where we will be making a lidded copper container with a fitted lid that “locks”.

Day 1 of my “prong setting “ class was great!  All my students are doing superb work!  I will be posting photos of their...
01/09/2026

Day 1 of my “prong setting “ class was great! All my students are doing superb work! I will be posting photos of their finished pieces at the end of the session. The next class that I’m teaching at Pullen Art Center is March 7 and 8. We will be making a copper keepsake box that is etched and fitted with a lid closure.

Happy to say my class at Pullen Art Center “Prong Setting Made Easy” is full!   Yay!!  Looking forward to showing my stu...
12/30/2025

Happy to say my class at Pullen Art Center “Prong Setting Made Easy” is full! Yay!! Looking forward to showing my students this very useful and beautiful metal smithing technique. Photos will be posted as we go along. My next class is making a small copper lidded box on the weekend of March 7 & 8. Hope to see you then!

Remember to sign up for my prong setting glass at Pullen Art Center soon.  Class starts the first week of January 8-29, ...
12/09/2025

Remember to sign up for my prong setting glass at Pullen Art Center soon. Class starts the first week of January 8-29, 1 to 4pm Thursdays. Several prong setting techniques will be featured. Expand your jewelry making skills in this fun class. Also check out the copper keepsake boxes being taught in March . Ideal for personal gifts. See you soon!

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Raleigh, NC
27511, 27518, 27529, 27545, 27560, 27587, 27591, 27601, 27603, 27604, 27605, 276

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