Craft Show Artists 2009

Talya Baharal & Gene Gnida — Rifton, NY   |   baharal-gnida.com

An exploration of three-dimensional sculptural form is at the core of the jewelry objects Talya Baharal and Gene Gnida create. Hand forming and fabricating sterling silver, bronze, copper and steel, into hollow constructed pieces, are the main techniques we use. Achieving formidable visual scale, yet very light and wearable pieces, is of extreme importance. Abstracting bold contemporary forms while drawing inspiration from iconic themes is at the heart of their work. "Urban Landscape" and " Residue" are collections of one of a kind brooches and neckpieces which are hand fabricated of steel, iron, sterling silver and copper. The textures and patinas are achieved through fabrication and interaction of the metals, fusing, soldering, welding and heat patina layering.

Lisa & Scott Cylinder
Oley, PA   |   lisaandscottcylinder.com

Ours is a collaboration of two sets of ideas, techniques and hands working together to create each single piece. We are attracted to specific Found Objects; not wholly for what they are, but for what they might become. We see them as Materials, Colors, and sometimes they are charged with inherent meaning. It is in this re-invention, disguising and reinterpretation that we incorporate these parts into our finished Jewelry pieces. We are concerned with telling relevant stories of our specific time and place; Tales of Nature, Love, and of living in the Present while referencing the Past.

Jaclyn Davidson — Middlebury, VT   |   jaclyndavidson.com

I am most interested in objects that are intimate - jewelry has these qualities. It is important that the pieces I produce have a life of their own apart from their role as personal adornment. In this newest work—the line and shape of the object should captivate the viewer but not fall into an expected category of design elements. The one-of-a-kind designs shown here are produced in 18k gold, sterling silver, and mild steel which has been hand forged using jeweler's and blacksmith's tools. A variety of direct metal techniques such as milling, folding, chasing, and coloring have also been enlisted.

Kathleen L. Dustin — Contoocook, NH   |   kathleendustin.com

Made of layered and sculpted colored polymer clay and oxidized sterling, this jewelry is informed by the repetition of shapes and colors in the tiny seeds, pods, grasses, and moss I find on my walks in the New Hampshire woods.

Steven H. Ford & David Forlano
Philadelphia, PA   |   fordforlano.com

Sculptural and colorful one of a kind and series jewelry made from polymer clay and sterling silver.

Christina Goodman — Alameda, CA   |   christinagoodman.com

This hand-painted and gilded jewelry is inspired by Renaissance painting. Each piece is constructed in either wood or resin. It is then gilded in 22k gold leaf, often using the traditional water gilding technique. The miniatures are painted using extremely fine brushes and a magnifier. The imagery is based on elements from Renaissance art, the natural world and more recently inspired by trompe l'oeil painting.

Hilary Hachey — Baltimore, MD   |   hilaryhachey.com

I consider my work to be architectonic. That is, a type of perceived sensibility to form and design that prefers the simple over the complex and the well-built over the mass-produced. This line of jewelry is inspired by the Bauhaus school. All pieces are hand-fabricated in sterling silver and 18k gold. Chains and clasps are also hand-fabricated. No castings are used in the process.

Valerie Hector — Wilmette, IL   |   valeriehector.com

I unite beads of glass, sterling silver, karat gold, and other materials into 3-dimensional structures using mostly Chinese beadnetting techniques which I learn by studying examples of Chinese beadwork made during the last 100 or so years. I finish these structures with sterling silver or karat gold findings of my own design and fabrication. Always I am trying to achieve a sense of visual richness while maintaining an economy of form.

Janice P. Ho — Hannibal, MO   |   janiceho.com

Snapshots of water, plants, creatures and sky are the worlds I create in silver and gold. My work has a graphic quality, with a simple color palette of matte silver, oxidised silver, gold and the occasional stone. Many of my pieces are portraits of natural elements or plants floating over a dark backdrop that feels a bit infinite — it could be outer space or inner thought. I like working directly in the metal, fabricating my pieces out of sheet and wire. Sheets of metal are roll-printed with papers, leaves, or textured brass to create subtle textures. I make dies out of brass and plexiglass, which are used in a hydraulic press to form the metal and create dimension. Forging, sawing, filing, sanding, and soldering bring it all together. Meticulous patination of the silver creates contrast to the matte silver and gold elements that float above and frame the piece.

Christy Klug — Austin, TX   |   christyklug.com

My work is an exploration of line and form. The black lines on white enamel resemble charcoal on paper and the combination of these drawings and fabricated forms bring art and craft together.

Thomas Mann — New Orleans, LA   |   thomasmann.com

I began making jewelry in 1963 with the hopes of bringing meaningfulness to wearable art objects. Materials: Sterling silver, brass, bronze, aluminum, iron, acrylics, micarta, paint and found objects. Techniques: pierced, forged, die formed, chased, cast. Techniques peculiar to my work: carving with high speed burrs, laminated acrylics, cold connections (rivets and screws), hand finished surfaces employing steel wool, file finishes, painted distressed surfacing.

Hollyanne Mitchell — St Petersburg, FL   |   newspaperjewelry.com

Discarded Paper Materials including Expired Coupons, Loser Lottery Tickets and Newspaper have been chosen because each has an extraordinary aesthetic value. Expired Coupons have bright, vibrant colors and the Expired Coupon UPC Bar Codes possess a rich textural pattern reminiscent of African Yoruban Culture Kente Cloth. The Expressive Faces of Sunday Newspaper Comic Strips are wonderful when juxtaposed together. And the soft pastel colors found in Loser Lottery Tickets and Discarded Sweetener Packets form a rich pattern when accented with sterling silver. I would like to challenge people to take a second look these common, everyday items used and discarded without a second thought.

Rone Prinz — Woodland Hills, CA   |   roneprinz.com

The construction of each piece begins by looking at the materials I have gathered & taking into mind the color, texture & shape. Then preferring to work without putting too many limits on myself I let the alchemy of art evolve in its own way. By using traditional metalsmithing & sculpture techniques such as forming, carving, soldering & sanding I create unique sculptural jewelry. Each new collection is influenced by the last. Presently, I am combining my carved wood sculptures with sterling silver, 18kt gold, boulder opals & other precious gems. The chair theme has also been dominating this past year's work but is now evolving into an entirely new body of work.

Gustav Reyes — Chicago, IL   |   gustavreyes.com

I strive to create art with love and an understanding that this love is not a possession but a gift that must be shared. I try to give back to that love by making art not depleting the universe but reshaping one of its greatest gifts-trees. Through the use of wood all the energy, spirit and history of the tree is worked to bring out that beauty. Art is a pure expression of a life lived without constraints.

Joyce Roessler — Boston, MA   |   roesslerglass.com

I am inspired by the natural image, mystique of the feminine, and sensations of color. My work involves hot and cold glass working processes and fabrication of metals. As an artist I find glass offers a myriad of interesting elements to take from, such as light, color and form. I enjoy its fluidity and gem-like qualities, the possibilities seem endless and exciting.

Biba Schutz — New York, NY   |   bibaschutz.com

My jewelry is the evolution of my experiences, vision, and ideas. I create form, texture and color with repeated elements, threads of wire and manipulation of material. My materials are most often sterling and fine silver, copper, bronze, handmade flax paper, 18kt and 22kt gold.

Eric Silva — Whittier, CA   |   ericsilva.com

Each piece is designed around the carving, which I hand carve using fossil ivory. I then soak the carvings in handmade dyes or teas to enhance the carvings details. I design the sterling silver or titanium around the carving. The metal is rolled through a rolling mill to give the metal texture and design. I then add details of 18 kt. gold, copper, enamel, and semi precious stones. The closures are unique to my own design.

Niki Ulehla — San Francisco, CA   |   nikiulehla.com

My work combines traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques. I appoint value to a form, texture or technique that is normally mundane or commonplace. Using silver or gold in combination with found objects, gilded pantyhose or wood, my work explores juxtapositions and pairings. Found objects possess intrinsic properties, which I attempt to match, juxtapose or highlight with 14K gold. I use a technique I developed for gilding pantyhose with 22K gold leaf. This leads to a light, (potentially) large, textured gold surface that can be employed in a variety of ways. I carve ebony and pair it with 18K or 22K gold, combining the warmth of gold with the cool smoothness of wood. Through these divergent techniques, where play and exploration are among the most fundamental concerns, I work to create unique pieces that are simple and refined, albeit a little bit crazy.

Kiwon Wang — New York, NY   |   kiwonwang.com

My work is based on a theme "east meets west". Paper meets silver; throwaway meets precious. I explore all these encounters through provocative combination of material and form: using pearls and newspaper, adding gold, diamonds, emeralds to create new questions about the role of jewelry in the twenty first century. I also address the precious within a throwaway Western culture. In every step of my jewelry creation, I test eastern traditional boundaries and western modern boundaries in the realm of objects that adorn the body through contrast, tension, absence and presence as well as finding a new harmony.

Roberta & David Williamson — Berea, OH     

All pieces are hand fabricated by Roberta and David Williamson without the help of assistants. They have worked together for over 40 years creating works that reflect their appreciation and love of the natural world. Their work is in the collection of the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, The Ohio Crafts Museum and has been exhibited internationally. They will appear in the PBS documentary Craft In America in 2009.