Patrice Cake started down the metalsmithing path in a small-scale sculpture class at UGA in 1992. Since then, she has studied Metalsmithing/Jewelry Design and Art History at University of Hawaii and most recently at Vancouver Community College in the city she has called home for 15 years.  Her work is a response to life and influenced by Southern imagery, African and American Art, Pop Culture, and Street Art.  She views jewelry more as amulet than accessory, and it shows in her careful design and craftsmanship.  By using traditional metalsmithing tools to cut, saw, file, hammer and engrave, Patrice is trying to reveal the softness in copper, silver and gold.  Her goal in each piece can loosely be described as sort of a layered simplicity which aims to find a permanent comfortable spot on the body.