B I O G R A P H Y NANCY LINKIN (1955 - 2019)Luke Sunde and Elizabeth Allen of Maine Metalsmiths continue the Nancy Linkin legacyNancy Linkin's passion for metalsmithing began over thirty-five years ago. The age-old process of forming metal captivated her directly with hammers. She says, "The hammer is simply an extension of my hand...." Her exploration of the traditional smithing techniques of raising hollowware and forging began with traditional vessel forms. Soon she began to push the envelope both technically and visually, leaving both rotation form and functional form behind. Asymmetrical tabletop sculptures and wall pieces were a natural progression for her nature-based aesthetic. She states, "Natural forms have always fascinated and excited me: plant forms, earth forms, human forms." Sculptural jewelry was the next step, taking the sculpture off the pedestal and putting it on the body. Nancy did a series of one-of-a-kind sculptural bracelets over the course of two years in the mid-1980s. The tremendous success of this direction encouraged her to repeat the designs, adding earrings, neckpieces, and pins to her line of bracelets. Over the last twenty years, the line has grown to include over eighty different designs, each made in a variety of sizes, available in both a combination of sterling silver and 18K gold and solid 18K gold. To create each piece, flat patterns are cut from sheets of gold and silver and hammered systematically over specialized tools. Once a piece has been hammered into its final form, it is filed and sanded, then buffed to a high polish. This fine finish accentuates the simple sculptural lines of her jewelry. Luke, Elizabeth and Nancy worked together until Nancy's untimely passing. Luke and Elizabeth continue her legacy and line. They have also been expanding her line with ideas and forms of hers that never made it to fruition.