Orchid Circulation: 13,000 members!
Please welcome our newest members…
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Mick Mamola
Fletcher, USA
Along with my wife, Susie, we make hand-crafted jewelry. Our art is a
direct by-product of our marriage. We take such pleasure in one
anothers creative vision and collaborate back and forth throughout
the creative process on each piece of jewelry. But like any good
partnership, we each bring something different to the process and
have a different approach to bringing an idea to life.
I began working with metal clay a few years ago after it became
apparent I could no longer garden as vigorously as my passion
demanded. A new creative avenue was essential and Susie suggested I
explore working with precious metal clay because she, too, was ready
to move beyond beading and wanted to work with new materials. Our
shared love of nature and gardening, and the joy of discovering the
intricate habits of birds and insects that visit our garden
sanctuary has been the inspiration for much of our work.
I enjoy the transformative nature of my work with metal clay, from
constructing a miniature bird house from a lump of clay to the
cauldron-like magic of kiln-firing. Each of the three metal clays
(copper, bronze and silver) that I use possesses its own
peculiarities and challenges in realizing my vision. Learning how to
manipulate these clays and tools to shape a physical manifestation
of what I see in my minds eye has been a loving pursuit of trial and
error, as well as countless hours of study, and learning from other
artists.
Whether Susie is working on her own piece, or marrying my creations
with beads, chain and wire of her own design, the intention is
always to create a treasure that someone will resonate to and make
their own. Special attention is paid to the metaphysical properties
of precious and base metals, and found objects, with a
goal of infusing a little more magic into each piece.
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Janet Evpraxia Wehlitz
Toc’s Bounty
Cornelius, OR. USA
Janet Evpraxia Wehlitz has been handcrafting classic bracelets,
earrings, and necklaces for over 20 years, and recently Orthodox
Christian jewelry, from semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals,
lampwork and dichroic beads, pearls, and sterling silver, gold,
bronze, and copper metals. Her latest line is the Tool Box jewelry,
created from hardware. Her jewelry emphasizes sleek, uncluttered
designs and natural elements built with care to last a lifetime. She
will also use found objects or re-use objects in unusual ways.
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Trudy Gluys
Greenfield, IN. USA
http://www.rubylane.com/shop/cozycorner
I have been making jewelry since the 70’s when a little record shop
in a mall offered me a job making jewelry for his showcases so he
could sell the jewelry supplies for making my items. This was the
era of turquoise, macrame and liquid silver beads. I have always
been interested in just about any craft that has come along, but
jewelry, sewing, and knitting or crochet seem to have been my “go
to” creative outlets over the years.
I owned an antique store in the 90’s. That is where my love of old
jewelry began. I collected just about any kind of jewelry including
costume, silver, gold and broken. Once you start collecting it
becomes a disease. My children have no desire for my collections so
I began sellng on Ebay and then Ruby Lane. Ruby Lane has been a
great place to sell my old things, but it has also become a great
place to sell my handmade jewelry.
In I guess around 2005 I started seed beading then graduated to wire
worked jewelry and have experimented with some soldering and
micro-macrame. I would love to learn more about lapidary and silver
clay. If only I had enough money for all of the craft supplies and
tools needed, it would be fun to go on a shopping spree with
unlimited funds, wow, only to dream. I would say I have been doing
more in the mixed media area and get great satisfaction from using
parts from my old broken jewelry collection. I’ve mostly worked with
beading and wire and bracelets are my favorite. I’m looking forward
t o learning from other creative souls. My sketch book is full and it
seems there is never enough time.
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