After successful careers in law and medicine, Sheble Croninger and Dorothy Friedberg formed the Alchemist's Atelier in Santa Barbara, California and New York City.  We share a lifelong interest in art and exceptional handicraft and a fascination with the shapes and textures found in the world around us.

Many ideas for surfaces and forms come from discoveries made while walking in the garden, on the beach or even along the sidewalk. Shadows can inspire shapes, graffiti glows with color, dried leaves, tiny seeds, flower petals and seaweed all have unique textures. 

Like the medieval alchemists, we seek to transform these natural elements into elegant jewelry and designs. We use and expand traditional techniques to capture a moment in time and to celebrate these evanescent details. For example, the lost wax technique has been used to create jewelry for centuries. We carve or form the wax, add texture and cast the model in metal or glass. By altering its rigid surface metal assumes a lively and sensuous character. The cast piece is finished and semiprecious or precious stones are added.