Arkansas Craft Guild » Jewelry

Darla J. Pritchett

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 03:29:29 +0000

From spools of 14/20 gold-filled wire, Darla Prichett practices the ancient art of chainmaille, weaving chains from coils and rings that form intricate patterns and designs. In some cases, the chains are left unadorned, drawing attention to delicate patterns that are a signature of her work. Or, she may combine modern touches and embellish with precious and semi-precious stones to create an entirely different look. Her bracelets, earrings, pendants, and necklaces often include the use of freshwater pearls; dichroic glass, Swarovski crystal, and handcrafted Lampwork glass beads, made by other artists. Her use of permanently bonded 14kt. gold, makes her jewelry attractive, durable, and affordable.

“While wire-wrapping was my first love, chainmaille has become my passion.”

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Eric Coleman

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 22:03:04 +0000

Eric uses the finest quality medals including platinum, gold, silver and copper along with natural stones. Accent stones and contrasting metals are chosen to enhance the beauty of the stone. In other jewelry, intricate engraving is done to reflect natural elements of the woods and lakes of Arkansas. Everything is hand fabricated or cast to create one of a kind unique jewelry that will create conversations for years to come. Commission work is always welcome.

Eric is an Arkansas native with over 25 years in the jewelry business. He is passionate about creating unique art jewelry.

Johnericcolemanjewelrydesigns.com

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Jeanie Berna

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:38:08 +0000

For as long as Jeanie can remember, she has been fascinated by handcrafted jewelry and arts from around the world. As an artist her creations are inspired by nature and color. They are rustic with an organic and often Southwestern flair. She loves to work with silver, copper, and brass which she combines with semiprecious gemstones, rustic pearls, stained glass, sea glass, beach pebbles, shell, recycled materials, textiles, and antique treasures. The results are unique and interesting pieces of wearable art.

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Jeff & Judy Goodwin

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 17:28:43 +0000

We have always found enjoyment working in clay and most specifically colored porcelains. Starting in 1997 we began to learn and experiment with the Japanese process known as neriage. The process begins in our studio with the mixing of the porcelain using our own recipe. Stain is then added to the porcelain to make several varieties of colored clay. Designs are created by layering the colored porcelain in various ways while actually building the patterns into large blocks or loaves. Each piece of jewelry is sliced from the log and carefully shaped, sanded and wiped clean with a damp cloth. It is then bisque fired, followed by a glaze firing to cone 6. A third and final firing of 22 karat gold luster is applied to the edge of each piece. All the rich depth of colors found in our designs are from the colored porcelains. No paints, colored glazes or underglazes have been added.

The final process involves the use of 14-karat gold, semi-precious stones and fresh water pearls. The gold is rolled, flattened and used with the semi-precious stones and pearls to create numerous adornments for our jewelry.

Judy and I create our designs using our imagination aided by nature with lots of color for inspiration. A computer is used that employs a drawing program where we can work with our designs before they are created in the studio. It has become a great designing tool that allows us to use our colors in unlimited variations.

Contact Jeff and Judy:

Daaman Porcelain Jewelry
3816 Madison 2035
Huntsville, AR 72740
800-438-6343
daamanjewelry@aol.com

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JP Rosenquist

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 03:33:53 +0000

JP Rosenquist makes her jewelry using the fabrication process of metalworking using primitive tools and techniques passed down through generations of Navajo craftsmen, a skill she learned as an apprentice to a master silversmith in New Mexico. As a result, each piece is individually hand crafted, created without casting or molding.

JP works in silver and gold, cutting shapes from precious metals and wire and adding pearls or precious and semi-precious stones to add color and interest. Her designs are inspired by the lush vegetation and scenic beauty of the Ozarks north of Calico Rock, with graceful leaves, whimsical flowers, and tendrils of vine that accentuate the delicate shapes she creates.

www.jprosenquist.com

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Leigh Abernathy

admin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:38:50 +0000

I love the feel of the metal as I work with it, transforming it into art you can wear and use. I start with an idea, then take sterling silver or solid copper wire and sheet and hand cut, form, shape, forge, fuse and polish or patina each piece as its design directs.

My inspiration comes from the world around me—walks in the woods, sitting by the water and even my sons’ bubbles have driven my designs. They all fuel my creativity, helping me to translate those ideas to metal. My designs are unique.

Pounding a hammer on metal on my anvil is fundamentally gratifying for me, as is developing the patinas to bring out detail. And, in a completely different way, so is the almost meditative quality of weaving rings into modern chainmaille jewelry.

Creating each piece from the ground up—from making each earwire to winding and cutting my own rings for the chainmaille—means I can be sure the people that wear and use my work are getting the best quality I can provide. It all satisfies a deep need in me to create, work with my hands, and make beautiful things–a need I’ve felt all my life.

Leigh Abernathy is a native Arkansan, and lives and works on the shores of Greers Ferry Lake in the foothills of the Arkansas Ozarks. Her jewelry is worn and treasured all over the world.

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Marcia Griffin

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 22:29:21 +0000

Dichronic glass with ultra-thin layers of gold, silver, titanium, chromium, aluminum, zirconium, magnesium, and silicon oxides is the medium of choice for jeweler Marcia Griffin of Paron. She carefully selects and cuts pieces of this high-tech glass, originally developed by NASA, then carefully shapes and layers the glass into desired forms. Under high heat, the glass fuses into a single piece. Marcia’s ability to envision the combination of colors and properties of the glass to reflect and refract light allows her to capture the brilliance of different hues. She creates glistening earrings and pendants with depth, a broad spectrum of colors and textures, and magical iridescence.

Patricia Bergman

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:37:11 +0000

Being a one person operation, my fabricated work is created by simply taking a piece of metal in hand. The metal is manipulated into a form which represents several steps, including, cutting, bending, soldering, hammering and buffing. Three lines of my work are vertigris, which is an oxidized copper or brass; tri-metal of brass, copper and sterling; and all sterling, which sometimes includes stone settings.

Each year I attend several juried art and craft shows throughout the country. My work is also sold in selected galleries and shops.

My mission is to create hair accessories and complimentary jewelry which is both functional, fashionable and unique.

http://www.patriciabergman.com/

Scott Isslieb

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 23:23:29 +0000

Scott Isslieb uses old world techniques to craft uniquely styled jewelry using a wide variety of hand cut gemstones and sterling silver. He draws from German and Swiss influences and fabricates each one-of-a-kind piece to accentuate the characteristics of every stone.

Trained as a gemologist, his attention to detail sets his work apart and has enabled him to go beyond traditional shapes to explore ‘fantasy’ cuts, symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes that follow the best attributes of the rough stone. The results are dazzling, multi-faceted stones carefully cradled in silver pendants, bracelets, necklaces and more.

www.scottissliebjewelry.com

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