“I like fabricating,” he said. “I like creating something that is real and tangible. That’s why I like jewelry, because you can wear it and it is a real thing that you can interact with.” Stephenson went on to graduate from ECU with a bachelor of fine arts, with a concentration in metal design focusing on jewelry work.

Although Stephenson cites sci-fi movies, comic books and Batman as early influences, his aesthetic has grown more sophisticated. His pieces reflect his interest in the “juxtaposition between blatantly hand-drawn pieces with human error that are put on a pedestal rather than hidden but on a very clean crisp surface that is well-constructed and well-fabricated.”

His adornment pieces represent layers of work and are created in a multi-step process that includes hand-drawn patterns, saltwater etching bath, copper plating, blackening and sanding. Prices for his works range from $15 to $350. He also forges knives.

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