I became inspired by the concept of combining materials that are seen as precious and materials that are often discarded. Although I combined all “invaluable objects” while designing and creating Retired Stamps, I was thinking about this concept. I gathered materials from my studio and the remaining supplies from a second hand art supply store, “Scrap.”
Retired Stamps, is a large necklace I made with gold vinyl, thread, rubber stamps and brass. Twenty-nine hand cut and hand sewn vinyl bezels hold old stamps used for labels. Similar to the value of materials, I started thinking about the generations of women in my family who crocheted, quilted and embroidered and how undervalued their crafts have been. As a way of honoring them, sewing is the main element of design.
Once I had completed all of the sewing, I attached two large hydraulic pressed forms both the front and the back of the piece. I riveted gromets into the vinyl, pierced out diamond shapes from a sheet of recycled brass, and attached all the elements with jump rings. As a maker, it is my hope that Retired Stamps, questions the viewer perception of what they categorize as valuable.
Repurposed linoleum flooring samples, thread and brass.
I created the Linoleum Series because I am conceptually intrigued by flooring. We are surrounded by others’ designs and inventions, which play a crucial role in our everyday lives. Flooring is thoughtfully designed, yet as a society, we don’t slow down enough to notice. It is often overlooked, discarded and eventually forgotten in landfills. Flooring holds history and memory.
As a way of honoring the linoleum, I laser cut, arranged, glued, drilled and sewed the linoleum together to create an array of repetitive motifs and decorative patterns. In addition, I fabricated metal elements and attached the lightweight linoleum with glue, a needle and thread. The linoleum becomes the artificial gemstones. Some look like granite, others, like precious gemstones or hardwoods. In this series, I want to challenge the idea of preciousness and the perceptions of what we view as valuable versus what is easily discarded.
I laser cut, arranged, glued, drilled and sewed the linoleum together to create an array of repetitive motifs and decorative patterns. In addition, I fabricated metal elements to attach the lightweight linoleum with glue, a needle and thread. The linoleum becomes the artificial gemstones. Some look like granite, others, like precious gemstones or hardwoods. In this series, I want to challenge the idea of preciousness and the perceptions of what we view as valuable versus what is easily discarded.
Copper, brass, paint on enamel and clock gears.
The Lifecycle and Deterioration of a Loved One, I created a piece that represents my aunt’s lifecycle and her current journey with stage four ovarian cancer. Last time I saw her, I was startled by the dramatic change in her cognitive abilities, especially since she has always been so intellectual. I began memorizing her physical characteristic. Her big beautiful light blue eyes and her hands. This was the last time I saw my aunt. As a way to process my grief, I created this piece. I began this necklace by piercing out and sweat soldered three circular images; an eye, a hand and a brain. I cut up and re-used an old brass clock gear that I sweat soldered to four pieces of copper. The clock represents her life cycle. It's been hard for me to process my sadness, but the process of making this piece has help me access my feelings and feel like I am honoring her in the process.
Copper, brass and sterling silver.
Little People, Little Environments, is a charm bracelet that has twelve handmade charms for each month of 2019. At the beginning of last year, I started by casting little train people. My idea was to incorporate these little people into unusual and abstracted environments. Their habitats became different metalsmithing processes, constructed out of sterling silver, copper and brass. Some of these techniques included, hollow form construction, fabrication, reticulation, lost wax casting, cuttlebone casting, piercing, and hydraulic pressing. In addition, to tie the whole piece together I constructed the chain by making the links and toggle clasp out of the little people.
Mother’s Traditions, is a large necklace made with copper, rustoleum, cotton rope, indigo dyed raw silk and embroidery thread. I made this piece to honor my mother and the generations of women in my family, who have been fiber artists. “Womens’ work,” has long been overlooked. It is my hope to bring fibers to the forefront.