'Mettle' Makes a Debut

What does someone do once they graduate with a Bachelors in Fine Arts (BFA) in Jewelry and Metalsmithing? If you are Abigail Fincanon, you design your own line of jewelry and have instant success.

As Fincanon was interning at she would often wear the jewelry that she made at school. “This one woman, Elaine Hunt, commented on my earrings and when I told her I made them she told me to go back there and tell them that I need to make it for the store. She wanted to buy the earrings right off my ears! She has since been a very meaningful and inspiring person to me,” she said.

This recent graduate was born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida, until she was eight and moved to Seneca, South Carolina. She started Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. during the fall of 2006, right after graduating high school. During her first semester there, her family moved to Marietta.

In 2010, this Winthrop graduate was one of only two graduates living in Georgia with that degree.

“I didn’t realize what it was about jewelry and art that made me choose it until right before I graduated. The whole reason I got in to jewelry and art was because I had plenty of things I wanted to share with the world and I truly loved the relationship people have with their jewelry. I am also deeply intrigued by the complex relationships of wearer and jeweler, wearer and viewer, and artist and viewer. Jewelry, to me, is the best medium to develop that conversation. I also love that it has to be somewhat practical and functional,” said Fincanon.

Her new line of jewelry, "Mettle," is unique in that it is hand-forged and fabricated while a majority of fashion jewelry today is mass-manufactured.

"Mettle" was an instant hit. It sold over 80 pieces in the first six weeks after it debuted.

“My favorite part is that so many of my pieces move. I want people to interact more with their jewelry because then they will develop more of a connection to it. I will often look back at my past work and remember what was going on at the time I was making it and realize all the hidden messages and underlying themes. I feel like when you let something like that out in your work, other people can experience it and relate to it in their own way. I like making people think, remember, and imagine,” she said.

Mettle jewelry is made out of Argentium Silver, a relatively new alloy of silver that doesn’t tarnish. “It is quite different from working with traditional silver. I had to experiment and teach myself how to use it, and found out that I really love it more than traditional sterling. I also use some 14kt yellow gold and gemstones.”

Fincanon is working towards setting up her own studio. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to work at and getting an opportunity like this so freshly out of school is amazing.

“When I show people my work and tell them that I made and designed all of it, they are a bit shocked. I think one of the things that really drew me in to jewelry is the whole mystery and wonder of how it’s made. Metal has always intrigued me and jewelry making isn’t the most common skill, so I love learning about it.”

Fincanon is sweet and energetic. She has a constant smile on her face. Her personality shows throughout her collection "Mettle." She is happy to custom design jewelry from earrings to two-finger rings to bracelets and necklaces. If you have something in mind, just let her know.

View Mettle online  or view the entire collection at David Douglas Diamonds & Jewelry at the corner of Sandy Plains and Shallowford Road.