Tai and Tiara Kim’s Wildflower Brooch
Wild Wonder
Tai and Tiara Kim’s wildflower brooch showcases intricate design and hand fabrication techniques
By Tina Snyder
(Originally Published by MJSA April 2025)
Tai & Tiara Kim
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Wildflowers often go unnoticed, but it was their quiet beauty that inspired designers Tai and Tiara Kim of New Brunswick, New Jersey, to create an intricate brooch of silver, gold, and platinum. The piece captures the essence of nature’s unsung treasures while showcasing the artistry behind the duo’s hand-fabrication techniques.
“Our process began with a walk on a forest trail in West Palm Beach,” explains Tiara. “Surrounding us were countless beautiful flowers, each with its unique name celebrated by many. Yet there were also wildflowers that, despite their lack of a name and public recognition, held a rare and striking beauty. When we encounter these wildflowers, we see a reflection of ourselves in their quiet but remarkable presence. This inspired us to make wildflowers the centerpiece of our work.”
During their walk, they spotted a wildflower that sparked the idea for the brooch. “I always carry a sketchbook with me. Capturing this moment, I started with a sketch, letting my impressions guide the initial design,” Tiara adds. These sketches form the foundation for translating nature’s beauty into wearable art.
Once in the studio, the transformation of the sketch into a brooch began with the creation of a detailed pattern on a 23-gauge sterling silver sheet. Tai and Tiara meticulously cut out the pattern, preserving the delicate form of the flower.
The pair then shaped the petals using a tiny anvil and a plastic hammer, adding volume and depth. They used fine tools to hammer intricate patterns into the silver sheet, mimicking the natural texture of flower petals. To achieve the desired effects, they often make their own hammers from wood, metal, and plastic, tailoring them to their unique needs.
Sterling silver petals are shaped and textured by hand and then layered with platinum and 24k gold for contrast, capturing the delicate depth of wildflowers.
With the petals formed, the Kims began layering precious metals—a delicate process requiring precision. They first fused platinum to the sterling silver base. “The platinum acts as a barrier layer, creating a subtle contrast and ensuring the gold adheres beautifully to the silver,” says Tiara.
This step involved carefully heating the silver to just below its melting point, allowing the platinum to bond seamlessly. Next, 24k gold was fused over the platinum to create a luminous finish. This meticulous process not only enhances the brooch’s beauty but also improves its durability.
The flower’s center was crafted using odong, an alloy of copper and gold traditionally used in Korean decorative metalwork. The Kims drew the alloy into wire, then shaped the wire into tiny beads, which they sanded and filed into perfect spheres. “Each bead is soldered with a 22k gold granule; [the beads are then] arranged to form the flower’s core,” explains Tiara. This stage required precision, as the intricate arrangement complements the overall design.
With the center complete and the various flower components ready, the Kims carefully assembled the brooch. Each part is soldered individually using both hard and medium silver solder to maintain the integrity of the joints. A liver of sulfur patina was applied as the final touch, enhancing the depth and texture of the metals while highlighting the intricate details.
“Bringing a unique, three-dimensional flower to life requires harmony in both form and texture,” says Tiara. “Each step must contribute to the overall dimensionality, capturing the natural volume and presence of the wildflower in all its intricate beauty and complexity.”