The Final Time Around the Bench — Watch How Lydie Anne Creates Her Rings, One Last Time

By Camille Hart – Field Editor, Studio Features at The Studio Post
Published: May 24, 2025 – Updated: 3 hours ago

“I never imagined my story would reach beyond this room, but if these final pieces can bring someone a little joy—that’s more than I ever hoped for.”
— Lydie Anne

One Last Look Before It Ends

For over 30 years, Lydie Anne has made jewelry the quiet way—by hand, by feel, and by heart. From a small studio behind her home, she’s shaped silver and stone into timeless rings worn by women across generations.

Now, at 67, she’s preparing to retire. Her hands are slowing, and she’s ready to spend more time tending her garden and less time bent over her bench.

“This will be my last full collection,” she says. “I thought it was time to show people what really goes into it.”

What follows is a look at how Lydie Anne makes a ring—from blank silver to final polish. A final glimpse at the rhythm, care, and stillness behind every piece she’s ever made.

Lydie Anne opens her sketchbook, revealing hand-drawn ring designs with soft lines and notes in the margins. (Photo: The Studio Post)

Where Every Ring Begins

Each ring begins with the base material and a fresh sketch, drawn by Lydie at her bench.

She opens her notebook—its pages filled with years of designs—and carefully draws the shape she envisions. Every curve is sketched by hand, along with quiet notes in the margin like “gentle taper” or “sits smooth on the finger.”

“I always make the sketches myself,” she says. “That’s how I connect to what I’m about to make.”

Before any tool touches the silver, the design is already alive on paper—shaped with thought, and made with love.

Lydie Anne focused at her bench, carving a silver ring with steady hands surrounded by her well-worn tools. (Photo: The Studio Post)

Shaping It Into Form

With the shape in mind, Lydie begins heating the silver strip until it’s soft enough to shape. She doesn’t use machines—just flame, pliers, and time. Once the silver is malleable, she curves it slowly into a band, forming it around a mandrel.

“You can’t force it,” she says. “If you rush, you ruin it. You have to let the silver move the way it wants to.”

Each tap of the hammer leaves a mark. Some are filed down. Some are left in on purpose. The surface is shaped, softened, and finally soldered closed, forming the base of the ring.

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A soft ceramic dish holds handpicked stones, a silver ring, and tweezers. (Photo: The Studio Post)

The Heart of the Piece

Once the band is ready, Lydie turns to the stone.

She keeps a drawer of small stones, each handpicked over the years—some vintage, some gifted, some found in unexpected places. She holds each one up to the light, turning it gently before choosing the right one.

“I think about the hand that’s going to wear it,” she says. “You can feel when a stone matches the person.”

She carves a seat for it in the band, secures the setting by hand, and begins polishing. There’s no rush. She’s done this hundreds of times, but never without focus.

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The finished ring, carefully placed in its linen pouch and ready to be wrapped. (Photo: The Artisan Journal)

Finished by Hand, One at a Time

In the end, the ring is polished to a soft glow—never mirror-shiny, but gently luminous. The inside of the band is smoothed, the setting double-checked, the edges softened to rest naturally against the skin.

She wraps each finished piece in a cloth pouch. Ties a string. Slides it into a small box with a handwritten note tucked underneath.

“It’s not about perfection,” Lydie says. “It’s about intention. That’s what stays with people.”

This is your last opportunity to carry a piece of her work. Once her tools are packed away, nothing more will be made.

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