It’s the challenge of making that interests Robert Lopez and drives him toward ever bigger and bolder jewelry designs. He thrives on figuring out the engineering of complex pieces, and sometimes develops his own tools to meet his particular needs. That’s today, but while teaching himself metalsmithing he used whatever was at hand: a construction hammer or a plumber’s torch, learning to make what he wanted however he could. Although he’s since discovered purpose-made jewelry tools (“a whole new world!”), his early need to learn on his own still serves him well. Listen in with host Katie Hacker as he describes his surprising journey into artisan jewelry that’s as distinctive as any you’re ever apt to see.