Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Harvell.
Hi Sarah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Ravena Metalworks began in 2018, but the seeds of it were planted long before that, in the Appalachian mountains where I grew up. I was born and raised in Indian Valley, Floyd, Virginia, a small mountain town where the rhythms of nature shaped my earliest sense of beauty and wonder. I spent my childhood sketching the trees outside my window, collecting rocks, and befriending birds that others overlooked, especially crows.
My love of art grew alongside a deep fascination with history and archaeology. I was always drawn to the idea that metal, something forged by fire and time, could outlast generations. That a single object, shaped by human hands, could carry meaning long after its maker was gone.
I pursued a BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from Radford University and an MFA in Metal Design from East Carolina University. Over the years, I’ve also worked in painting, drawing, and ceramics, but metalsmithing is where I found my voice. Today, I specialize in both wearable and sculptural art, handmade from copper, silver, and other metals.
Ravena Metalworks is named in honor of the crows that sparked my imagination as a child. It’s an ode to their intelligence, resilience, and mystery. My pieces are shaped by the serenity of nature, curves of leaves, silhouettes of birds, patterns in bark and water. Each is a moment of stillness, translated into metal. I want the work to feel like an artifact from a world both ancient and wild. Something to be worn, held, and passed on.
Alongside my studio practice, I teach metalsmithing at the Sawtooth School for Visual Art in Winston-Salem, NC. I also work as the Web Design, E-Commerce, and Marketing Manager for both Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery and Saslow’s & Henebry’s Diamond Jewelers. When I’m not making or teaching, I’m probably exploring outside, reading about ancient civilizations, or out in the woods talking to crows.
Through Ravena Metalworks, I aim to create more than just adornment and sculpture, I want to offer pieces that endure, that connect people to the natural world, to each other, and to something timeless.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road definitely hasn’t been smooth, but I think that’s true for most creatives. After grad school, I hit a wall creatively and emotionally. I had poured everything I had into my education and thesis work, and once it was over, I felt completely burnt out. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to keep making art.
On top of that, navigating the shift from academia to the real world was more difficult than I expected, especially when it came to finding my own voice. It took time (and a lot of reflection) to rebuild my confidence and remember why I started creating in the first place.
Reconnecting with nature helped me come back to myself. I started making again, just for the joy of it, no pressure, no deadlines. That’s when the ideas behind Ravena Metalworks started taking shape. It was born out of that quiet rebuilding process, when I stopped trying to meet others’ expectations and started creating work that felt true to me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a metalsmith and designer who creates wearable and sculptural art inspired by the quiet strength of nature. Through Ravena Metalworks, I specialize in handcrafted metalwork using a combination of Opus Interrasile, an ancient Roman openwork technique, and shell forming. I use Opus Interrasile to create intricate imagery and organic patterns, then bring those patterns to life through shell forming, which adds dimensionality, movement, and softness to the metal.
Every piece is made by hand, using a jeweler’s saw and traditional tools, no shortcuts or mass production. I’m especially drawn to textures, silhouettes, and details from the natural world: the layered curve of a petal, the flick of a bird’s wing, or the branching lines of tree bark. My goal is to translate those fleeting moments into metal, turning something hard and cold into something that feels alive.
What I’m most proud of is creating work that tells a story. Each piece is its own little relic, grounded in the past, but made for the present. And what sets my work apart is that blend of ancient technique, modern form, and personal meaning. These pieces aren’t just decorative, they’re meant to be worn, held, and remembered.
How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t about going viral or chasing trends, it’s about making work that feels true. If a piece I create connects with someone on a deep level, if it makes them feel something, remember something, or carry a story forward, that’s success.
It also looks like balance. Having enough time and energy to keep making, to teach, to support other artists, and to still step outside and breathe. Success is being able to sustain a creative life without burning out or losing yourself in the process.
I don’t need to be famous, I just want to make meaningful work, stay curious, and keep growing. If I can do that, then I’m where I’m supposed to be.
Pricing:
- Jewelry: $35 – $750
- Sculptural works: $100 – $2,500+
- Custom commissions: Quoted individually based on materials, scale, and complexity
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ravenametalworks.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravenametalworks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ravenametalworks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ravenametalworks
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ravenametalworks
