She developed the Captured setting technique years ago when she would find seashells and other unique beachcombing artifacts that she wanted to turn into jewelry. She was never been a huge fan of making prong settings, which would have been a perfectly acceptable way to set such items, so instead she developed the Captured setting. Since the shells and beach artifacts were irregularly shaped, capturing them in an open box/window with crossbars holding them in place seemed like a logical way for her to set them. The Captured setting has a bit of a dadaist feel to Hilary -- it’s like the anti-setting. She has always been attracted to what is different and unusual, and her Captured pieces definitely have a signature look that you won’t find from anyone else. Today she captures polished gemstones and interesting rough stones. She lets the stone dictate the overall design. She believes it is fun to make extravagant Captured pieces with plique-a-jour, but sometimes the stone simply deserves to become a drop earring or stud.
