Karina L. ePortfolio
I discovered my love for metal smithing and jewelry at Montgomery College as an elective. Choosing this elective has altered my college career. I hope to continue pursing jewelry at Towson University. This collection has a emphasis on brass as well as an incorporation of different medias. Throughout my metal smithing experience, I have focused on mastering the basic elements . This portfolio highlights my recent creations over the past two years.
Heart Strong, 2025
Bronze, Copper wire, Brass wire, beads
3.5″x 2.5″x 3″
This project was inspired by the feelings of growth and renewal. Nature has always brought me peace and has helped me heal during difficult times. For me, nature is growth and I wanted to symbolize that through this piece.
Buttoned Up, 2025
Brass, Resin, Silicone, Glitter
5.9 cm x .8 cm x 5.75 cm
Buttoned up utilizes resin molds of three buttons to create a brooch. This brooch was inspired by a trip I took to Ireland. While in Dublin, I spent most of my time thrifting. Creating Buttoned Up gave me an opportunity to create a variety of molds and experiment with different resin additions.
Metro Snakes, 2024
Brass
4”x 4”x .5”
Metro Snakes is based on the menial task of riding the metro. I have always taken the metro to school wether that be middle school, high school and college. For me, the metro symbolizes freedom. Being able to take the metro was my key to independence in DC as a kid. Over the years I have memorized the map, memorizing Washington, D.C. with it. This brooch is an ode to the metro.
The Blue- footed Booby, 2025
Brass, Seashell, acrylic paint
2″x 1.4″x 0.7″
While on a trip to the Galapagos, I bought a necklace with a blue- footed booby. The blue- footed booby is a bird native to the Galapagos. My trip to the Galapagos was life changing. I spent 10 days with my family exploring the beauty of the archipelago. I got this necklace as a gift from my aunt to commemorate the trip. Eventually the necklace broke, but the charm remained. In order to revive the charm, I used wired prongs to set the blue footed-booby.
Thrifted Matchbox, 2025
Brass, Magnet,Maxbox
2.4″ x 1.5″ x 0.5″
Thrifted Matchbox is based on a matchbox I got while thrifting. This brooch uses gallery prongs to set the matchbox. Thrifted Matchbox is a multimedia piece inspired by the act of thrifting and the unique and beautiful finds.
The Power of Growth, 2025
Brass
4”x3”x1.5”
The Power of Growth attempts to capture the act of nature overtaking human made objects. The ring is being held up by leaves, overpowering the ring. I was inspired by the look of nature overtaking buildings.
Cat Army, 2025
Porcelain, bronze
2″x .5″x .8″
The Cat Army is composed of three molds, 2 in porcelain and 1 in bronze. My most recent class has had a highlight on mold casting. Throughout the course, I created duplicates of the miniature cat toy. The original cat is made of plastic and is in the center of the army. These mini cats continue to live their life in window frames and plant pots.
Karina's eportfolio 