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Sweeping lines and negative space are prominent design elements in the jewelry of metalsmith Nancy Ellinghaus. Her one-of-a-kind jewelry is bold and curvaceous -- her stones are caressed by gold and accented with classic gems.

"I love to work with banded agates and other unusual stones which are sculptural and organic, reminiscent of the Colorade landscape," she says. In addition to agates, she favors rusty-orange carnelians and a wide assortment of elongated stones carved by Steve Walters.

When designing a piece, negative space is an important consideration, she says. "Because I don't want to overwhelm the gemsone with bulky settings, I opt instead to work with its energy as I create the entire piece," she explains. She hand-forges her gold into slender curves, often employing the technique of anticlastic raising and completing the work with just enough tension necessary to secure her stones.

Nancy Ellinghaus has 27 years experience in creating fine jewelry, including stints as a metalsmith instructor at Denver Community College.