John & Carolyn Ruff

My first interest in making jewelry came about as an escape from final biology exams. The interest in jewelry grew, interest in microbes waned, and in udies at the University of Illinois, escaping permanently from academia into the world of metalsmithing. I have always enjoyed working with my hands, learning new techniques, trying new materials. At this time, I'm working primarily in gold and gemstones. Using a vocabulary of simple shapes, I create pieces both figurative and architectural in form. The layered metal technique, mokume gane, has satisfied my search for a complex surface to enclose within these forms constructed as pendants, bracelets and rings. Gemstones are also a fascination. I now cut gemstones adding them to my stone collection of 40 years. These I set in rings and pendants. My wife, Carolyn, joined me in this endeavor in 1977. Together, we seek to make pieces of lasting craftsmanship and enduring aesthetics. We would love for these pieces to be passed from one generation to the next.

John's first interest in making jewelry came about as an escape from final undergraduate biology exams in 1971. The next semester we were in graduate studies in microbiology and biochemistry at the University of Illinois. Interest in metals grew. Interest in microbes waned and John was designing and making jewelry full time. Carolyn joined this endeavor in 1977. We have used many techniques to make our jewelry. Currently, the fascination is with the layered metal technique of mokume gane developed by the Japanese in the 1400's – the ancient technique of granulation – and stone cutting. Recipients of the 2006 and 2007 Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival Award of Distinction in Jewelry.