Stephanie Lewis is a friend of mine who has a little jewelry workshop in her basement where she works with fine metals and gemstones. She recently invited me to photograph a little bit of her metalworking play.

She has amassed quite a collection of tools!

Metalworking requires a great deal of patience, it seems, and meticulousness; she saves even the tiniest bit of shavings to eventually be melted down into new sheets and re-used.

By far one of the most interesting things about her workshop is that she often works in near-darkness. This photo was taken with the barest sliver of daylight coming in through heavy curtains. The darkness helps her to see the temperature of the metal and remain sensitive to her materials.

You can see and purchase her lovely work at her Etsy store!