Francois Schneyder D'Orleans is a gold smith, silver smith, and lapidarist -- but above all, an artist. His uniqueness lies in the development of "handfabrication" to an extent not seen today. Handfabrication means working directly with the metal; constructing the piece by making each part and then joining them individually by soldering. Handfabrication requires many detailed steps, immense concentration, and perfection of each step to the completion of the piece. Francois works only in gold and sterling silver, utilizing precious and semi-precious gem stones. His art is reminiscent of a time when a jeweler was only called that if he knew the art of detailed soldering (glue was not considered an aspect of the trade), and has been likened to the work of Faberge. From the smallest to the grandest, each of his creations is one-of-a-kind. As a child, Francois studied art in the drawing, design and architecture that surrounded him in France. He enrolled in a metalsmithing course in Orleans as a young adult, learning the basics of soldering and knowledge of technique from the old masters. Francois came to the United States to live at age 18 and began his present trade a few years later. He developed his skill as a lapidarist and progressed to silver and gold smithing, and later began to utilize the more difficult and time-consuming techniques of engraving by hand and pave'set stones. The results have earned him national recognition. In 1973 Francois met his wife-to-be, Kyla, and began teaching her the lapidarist trade. She became his assistant, and they soon established the "FK" trademark stamped on each of his pieces. They have no employees or other assistants. |