Tim Garvin, Jeweler
Tim Garvin, jeweler, uses ceramic and metal techniques plus over 500 different colors of clay in the ancient technique of millefiori to craft unique earrings, pendants, bracelets, pins and cuff links in Blue Bus Studios in Durham, North Carolina.
Tim Garvin
Tim Garvin looks at the world in detail, noticing intricacies, contrasts and rhythms of color to find and elaborate design. He then creates his distinctive Blue Bus Studio jewelry using numerous ceramic and metal techniques, among which are slip trailing and brushing, stenciling, forming and etching.
The intense color in my ceramic work results from the use of over 500 different clays in an ancient technique known as millefiori, thousand flowers. In this process carefully designed loaves of clay are formed from colored porcelains. Next, cross-sections are sliced from the loaves. These sections are shaped and finished into individual pieces, then glazed and fired three times. A 23+ karat platinum edging is applied and the piece receives its final fire.
MFA trained, Tim has worked in ceramics and metal for over 35 years. He works in his Durham, NC studio with his wife, Cynthia Drake, as general manager, and with Robert Moench as studio manager.
Tim grew up in the wilderness 24 miles north of Juneau, Alaska with whales in the front yard and bears in the back. There was wild beauty everywhere and those vivid, natural colors inform his work. He makes beauty from dust–a joy for him and for collectors of his jewelry.
