VERSO jewelry is made from metal forms cast in handmade paper. The metal is dipped into a pulp of water and finely beaten paper fibers from a plant called abaca. The fibers cling to the metal and shrink as they dry. A tight, translucent paper skin is built up on the form over successive dips. The concept is the same as making a sheet of handmade paper, but around a three-dimensional form, and by building up thin layers over the course of several days.
After a translucent layer of paper has built up, the forms are hand-dyed, and finally sealed with resin to make them waterproof and durable. The pieces are inspired by details found in the oceans and forests of the Pacific Northwest, like seeds, petals, dewdrops, flowers, the curves of a river, ferns, leaves, tide pools..... The jewelry line includes necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, hairpins, and flower crowns, and is available for wholesale or consignment to retailers. |

Hello, I'm Melanie Brauner! I'm a metalsmith, papermaker, and artist.
I hold a BFA from Oregon College of Art & Craft,
where I studied books arts and metals.
My papermaking and metals studios are in Everett, Washington,
tucked at the back of the garden of my 1928 storybook cottage,
where I live with my bagpipe teacher husband, Kevin,
and big orange cat named Higgins.
I make jewelry and art out of handmade paper and metal, and I play traditional Scottish, Irish and old time music on the fiddle and piano.
I spend lots of time roaming through the beautiful Pacific Northwest landscape gathering inspiration, and puttering around in my garden.
You can watch me make jewelry and art,
and explore nature in these places:
Instagram: @versostudio
Facebook: @versostudioseattle
YouTube : Verso Studio
Pinterest : VersoJewelryStudio
Tiktok : @versostudio
and explore nature in these places:
Instagram: @versostudio
Facebook: @versostudioseattle
YouTube : Verso Studio
Pinterest : VersoJewelryStudio
Tiktok : @versostudio