Wearables

With high karat gold and platinum, Barbara works small and dense,
creating wearable sculptures for the Connoisseur...elegant, sophisticated, distinctive

FOR THE NECK

FOR THE GARMENT

Artist Statement

I start by making “fabric”, weaving high karat gold or platinum sheet and wire by hand, off loom, one piece at a time. I then shape the flat “fabric” into a 3-dimensional, sculptural form. Precious metal ribbons, ruffles, spirals and loops become necklaces and pendants, earrings and brooches. Mine is a contemporary interpretation of classical forms and ancient techniques, creating sophisticated jewels for the connoisseur … elegant … understated … distinctive.

I use two traditional fiber techniques. With Soumak, an ancient rug-weaving technique, I work with two different sizes of round wire. With Plain Weave, the simplest and most basic way to interlace two sets of elements, I work with thin, flat sheet and multiple strands of round wire. Read: Techniques & Design Process

Smithsonian Institution, National Gem Collection
Museum Acquisition

“Aquamarine Rhapsody” Pendant – 2024

Barbara M. Berk has donated her “Aquamarine Rhapsody”, a woven platinum pendant featuring a large aquamarine drop carved by international award-winning lapidary artist Sherris Cottier Shank, to the National Gem Collection in the Smithsonian... Read more

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Museum Acquisition
"S-Curve Brooch" - 2007

Barbara Berk’s “S-Curve Brooch” has been donated to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston by Elyse Zorn Karlin, the Editor/Publisher of Adornment, the Magazine of Jewelry and Related Arts, author of Jewelry and Metalwork in the Arts & Crafts Tradition... Read more

Spectrum Award - 2004
Award Competition
American Gem Trade Association, Dallas, TX

Barbara Berk is a winner in the 2004 AGTA Spectrum Awards competition hosted by the American Gem Trade Association. Over 560 entries were judged on the basis of overall beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones, quality of workmanship... Read more

Award for Excellence in Design - 2002

Award Competition

Woman's Jewelry Association, New York, NY

Barbara Berk, owner of Barbara Berk Designs in Foster City, CA, received the annual Award for Excellence in Design from the Women’s Jewelry Association at a dinner ceremony held in New York City on July 28, 2002 during the Jewelers of America trade show... Read more

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Saul Bell Design Award - 2001

Award Competition

Barbara Berk’s “Paisley” Ensemble won First Place in the 2001 Saul Bell Design Award Competition for jewelry design. Her award-winning piece is a combination pendant/brooch of 22kt and 18kt yellow gold woven together by hand. The pendant is set with one 6.5mm Moissanite... Read more

Museums, Awards, Exhibitions & News

Barbara Berk Designs, LLC

Barbara@BarbaraBerkDesigns.com

P.O. Box 4430, Foster City, CA 94404

SCULPTURE

BARBARA M. BERK

WEARABLES

With high karat gold and platinum, Barbara works small and dense,
creating wearable sculptures for the Connoisseur...elegant, sophisticated, distinctive

FOR THE NECK

FOR THE GARMENT

WEARABLES

With high karat gold and platinum, Barbara works small and dense,creating wearable sculptures for the Connoisseur...elegant, sophisticated, distinctive

FOR THE NECK

FOR THE GARMENT

With high karat gold and platinum, Barbara works small and dense,
creating wearable sculptures for the Connoisseur...elegant, sophisticated, distinctive