While buying a pair of earrings, most shoppers have never stopped to think about the time and artistry that went into that creation. Behind every piece of handmade jewelry, however, is the hard work of a jeweler, like senior Rebecca Elliott, to whom a plain sheet of metal has the potential to become a unique and beautiful piece of art.

Elliott began studying jewelry making in the fourth grade, when her mother, who is a textile designer, encouraged her to take an art class at the 92nd Street Y. Since then, Elliott’s initial curiosity has turned into a passion for the craft. She has continued to take classes at the 92nd Street Y and attended summer programs at the Pratt Institute and the Putney School.

“I fell in love with the sculptural aspect of it,” Elliott said. “The combination of technical proficiency and artistic elements interested me.”

Elliott tries to expand her horizons by pursuing her own projects.  Most of these involve jewelry making, but she has challenged herself to make everything from bracelets to vases, based on what she would like to learn. “In the past two years I have really been experimenting with different techniques,” Elliott said.

Lest she seem too artistic for Stuyvesant, Elliott often incorporates geometric shapes into her designs. One piece, called “Orbiting Necklace,” is a perfect brass dodecahedron that hangs from a thin silver strand.  Another creation is “Cityscape”—a ring that is shaped like a skyline.

Her jewelry can also be whimsical and eclectic. With her “Train Brooch,” she made an outline of a vintage train. Some of her works, such as “Orange Vine Earrings” and “Wistful Pendant,” are made with colorful beads, ceramic and lace.

With nine years of training under her belt, it is no surprise that Elliott has won several Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for her work, including a gold medal for her portfolio of jewelry inspired by bees.

Because of the expensive tools and materials required to make jewelry—silver is currently $17 an ounce—it is difficult to find a college with any classes in jewelling.

Instead, Elliott is building a home workspace, hopefully at a less than exorbitant price. “It is just about budgeting myself,” Elliott said. “I do not waste metals and will plan out design thoroughly. If I want to make something in silver, I will usually make a prototype in copper.”

Besides the expenses, jewelry making is stigmatized as “just a craft,” and not a serious art form. Jewelry is often considered girly and frivolous, but Elliott has recognized and taken full advantage of its artistic and innovative possibilities.

“Jewelry is an art form,” Elliott said. “I am upset by Zales jewelry and commercialized art. I prefer jewelry with a story or perspective.”

Elliott draws inspiration from her teacher, renowned Bavarian jeweler Klaus Bürgel.  A large aspect of his work consists of having the viewer “try to figure out exactly what it is,” Elliott said.

“I would love to see more obsessive craftsmanship, abstract constructions, deconstructivist ornaments, anti-dogmatic and unpredictably honest work that makes use of the advantages of the small intimate format to connect with the human psyche,” Bürgel wrote on his website.

Although it is clear that jewelry making is important to Elliott, she does not plan to pursue it when she attends Harvard University in the fall. Instead she wants to continue studying the humanities—English and Art History especially.

Even though Elliott does not plan to pursue jewelry making as a career, she will continue to make creative and unique pieces and convey her originality in other mediums, such as sculpturing, drawing and painting. No matter what aspirations or interests she may have in the future, Elliot is sure to pursue her natural artistic talents regardless of what medium they are in.