Nipomo, CA. USA
jeaniepratt.net
As a fiber artist who now works with metal, I find that after 30 years, I am still striving to turn straw into gold! I am passionate about discovering the surprises of using fiber techniques in my work with copper, silver, gold and niobium. With a weaver's eye for color, I explore the processes of applying patinas and enamels, as well as incorporating gemstones and beads into my work.
My designs and patterns have been inspired by the study of traditional textiles that I encountered while living in West Africa , Guatemala , and the United Kingdom . My organic geometric shapes are derived from my earlier studies of entomology, botany and my love of natural history in general.
I love to pursue possibilities that emerge from within the solitude of my garden shed studio. Fiber arts counterbalance the intense human contact and often illogical bureaucracy of my "day job" at Social Services. I lose myself in time through detailed labor-intensive processes. I strive to push my own limits as well as the limits of the techniques and materials that I use.
Niobium Globe
Handwoven and anodized niobium
Courtesy of Thirteen Moons Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Photo: Carol Holaday
Jade Brooch
Jade Brooch
Handwoven sterling silver, 14K gold, jade
Photo: Lindsay Pratt
Twined Treasure
Twined Treasure
Handwoven (twined and soumak) fine and sterling silver, labradorite
Photo: Carol Holaday
Tortola
Tortola
Handwoven coated copper wire, seed beads
Courtesy of Thirteen Moons Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Photo: Dale Reid
Rosas
Rosas
Handwoven (twined and soumak) and knit fine and sterling silver, carved tourmaline, seed beads
Photo: Lindsay Pratt
Jewel Beetle Teapot
Jewel Beetle Teapot
Handwoven, etched and fabricated; sterling silver, fine silver, 18 karat gold, jewel beetle (Buprestid) wings, Dichroic glass beads, ammonite, peridot and Mexican Opal
Courtesy of Mobilia Gallery, Cambridge, MA
Photo: Carol Holaday
Mimicry #2
Mimicry#2
Handwoven, etched and fabricated; sterling silver, 14 karat gold, resin and spinel
Photo: Carol Holaday
Una Ala #1
Una Ala #1
Handwoven (looped), anodized and fabricated; copper, niobium, sterling silver and opal
Photo: Carol Holaday
Vuelo
Vuelo
Handwoven (looped), knit, anodized and fabricated; fine silver, sterling silver, 22 karat gold, 18 karat gold, niobium, jewel beetle (Buprestid) wing, copper, shibuichi and opal
Photo: Carol Holaday
Jitterbug
Materials: Copper, niobium, brass
Dimensions: 2.75" x 2.75"
Hand woven, embossed, fabricated, etched, anodized
Photo credit: Carol Holaday
Alate
Materials: Sterling (Argentium) silver, fine silver, copper, glass cabochons, freshwater pearls, butterfly wings (Papilio anchisiades), beetle wings (Rosenbergia straussi, Anoplophora asuanga), enamel, seed beads
Dimensions: 17” necklace with 2.5” counterbalance
Hand knit, hand woven, bobbin lace, enameled, etched, fabricated, oxidized
Photo credit: Hap Sakwa
Lacewing
Materials: Argentium silver, fine silver, sterling silver, niobium, stainless steel, copper, copper mineral in quartz, green topaz, garnet, opals, Rhodolite garnet, lab Alexandrite, freshwater cultured pearls, enamel , beetle wings (Euchroma gigantea, Chrysochroa fulminans nishiyamai)
Dimensions: 18” Chain with 3” Counterbalance
Bobbin lace, hand knit, Viking knit, coiled, lashed, embossed, anodized, enameled, etched, fabricated
Photo credit: Hap Sakwa
Mimicry #1
Materials: Sterling Silver, copper, resin, freshwater pearls
Dimensions: 2” x 1.5”
Hand woven, etched, fabricated
Photo credit: Carol Holaday
Elytra
Materials: Argentium silver, fine silver, 24K gold, 22K gold, 18K gold, 14K gold, copper, niobium, beetle wings, butterfly wings, opals, cacoxenite in amethyst, ammolite, amethyst, lab Alexandrite, citrine, enamel
Dimensions: 18 inch necklace with 2.5 inch counterbalance
Hand woven, knit, looped, stitched, enameled, etched, fabricated, anodized, oxidized
Photo credit: Hap Sakwa
Fact or Fantasy
Materials: Sterling silver, fine silver, niobium, 22K gold, 18K gold, 14K gold, butterfly and beetle wings, opal, ammolite, star sapphire, amber (with insect inclusions), rutilated quartz, citrine, green topaz, peridot, freshwater pearls, enamel, resin
Dimensions: 13” x 7” x 3/8”
Hand knit, bobbin lace, enameled, lashed, etched, fabricated, anodized, oxidized
Photo credit: Hap Sakwa
Mimicry #5
Materials: Sterling silver, pearls, enamel
Dimensions: 3.5” x 2”
Hand woven, enameled, etched, fabricated
Photo credit: Carol Holaday
Mimicry #9
Materials: Sterling Silver, 18K gold, enamel, lab sapphire, labradorite, freshwater pearls, seed beads
Dimensions: 3.25” x 2”
Hand woven, enameled, etched, fabricated
Photo credit: Carol Holaday
Aflutter
Materials: Fine silver, sterling silver, niobium, 24K gold, 18K gold, 14K gold, Jewel beetle wings (Euchroma gigantea and Chrysodema sp.), ammolite, garnet, freshwater pearls, enamel
Dimensions: Necklace length, largest element 1.5” x 1”
Hand knit, hand woven, looped, enameled, embossed, lashed, etched, fabricated, anodized
Photo credit: Lindsay Pratt
