Craft Show Artists 2009

Fragments of thoughts, memories, and interpretations of physical objects converge to influence and realize my work. Experiences of traveling, transitions observed in the landscape, images suggested in poetry, and the decay and rejuvenation of nature provide inspiration. I am intrigued by interior and exterior spaces. The resulting parallels or dichotomies of their dual existence, is a consideration in both the form and content of the objects I create.

Fabricated and inlaid from a one-person studio, these objects are made from sterling silver, shibuichi, shakudo, nickel, copper, gold, gold leaf and enamel. Surface patterns are either married metal inlay or hammered inlay.

Blacksmith artist Erica Gordon mixes media in unexpected ways with an eye toward maintaining the strength of each material (the color of leather, the texture of found objects, the malleability of steel). It is the collaboration of the materials and the artist's creative vision that inspires her to rethink how objects in our daily lives can be both functional and decorative at the same time. Gordon draws from her background in both sculptural and architectural blacksmithing, as well as many years of experience working with fine jewelers, to create her own body of work, distinctive in its conception, design, and fabrication. New to the Steel Toe Studios (STS) collection is a line of housewares influenced by the pebbles and checker buckles. A variety of small to medium table top pieces fabricated from round and square wafers of steel are welded into shallow dishes, candleholders and food display. Modern yet warm, these housewares allow STS to dress your table as well as yourself.

The work is a response to my surrounding environment and relationships therein. Prevailing subjects are the landscape, tranquility of water and dynamics of family. Besides the subject, my continued exploration and understanding of enamel on copper motivate my work. The factor of risk and physics inherent to the process hold my interest and challenge my efforts to control the material. Working in a medium entrenched in tradition and with stringent guidelines impels me to work outside the given rules and make discoveries with the material.

Since 1995, I've taken a contemporary approach to pewterware and experimented with form, surface treatment, materials and color. My goal is to pull pewter away from its stereotype and demonstrate its decorative versatility.

My current body of work includes abstracted sculptural forms in copper, enamel and patinas. Hand metal forming, welded copper and torch-firing are some of my favorite techniques used to express my ideas in both, metal and jewelry. My conceptual concerns speak about life journey, individual purpose and how it relates to wholeness as an individual, as a society and as a world. In my most recent series I am inspired by local tinsmithed, antique molds.

Wall pieces of welded bronze constructions with hot process patinas.

Most of our work is cast and fabricated bronze. We have recently added cast glass elements to our bronze. We cast all of our glass and bronze detail in our own studio.

Decorative and functional work fabricated from sheets of copper, pewter, brass, and bronze.

All pieces are made of stainless steel with metal and leather components and are hand fabricated and assembled.