Nan

Female

Western, NY

Hiking, Skiing, Horses, Riding and Training.Painting, Reading, Wire Jewelry Making and Sculpture, Texturing metals for "pattern wire" , metal beads, and decoration.

female

NY

United States

Clymer

I grew up on a dairy farm in NW, PA where we had to be able to a little of everything to keep tools, machinery running. Went into the USAF at 17 and am now retired and considered a disabled vet.
I am a therapist who who works with at-risk youth and/or the elderly usually both. I love what I do and am not what most people would call a "traditional therapist". My last grant allowed me to work with Irag/Afghanistan veterans helping them and their families through the adjustment periods.
I have always enjoyed art in many forms-though I couldn't draw to save myself. I have always painted-anything from murals to drawer pulls. My kids and I used to make concrete tables and benches incorporating "everything but the kitchen sink " in mosaics before we sold them,
A few years ago, my oldest son died suddenly at 18-viral encephalitis-literally overnight. I lost my passion for anything except my two other children. Until... I moved back home after 23 years and my father needed this welded, that measured etc.
A few months ago I got some wire from a friend and it changed my life (outside of work and my kids). I loved the possibilities. I am self taught, for the most part, and love watching a $3.00 roll of 16 g wire become a bracelet. setting etc. I did go to a two-day class in September with a Master Wire Sculptor who had us use "patterned" wire for our first project. I liked the end result but what I really liked was the infinite possibilities that are out there to texture metal.
I love making jewelry but am totally hooked at creating new textures for others to use. I bought a rolling mill, a few press plates and then a lot of brass to make my own. I use textured items around me to create the textured wire and sheet metals other jewelry makers are looking for,
Biggest challenge-I had to remember this is NOT welding. I am having fun, I love learning new ways of doing things, and want to learn as much as I can about metal artistry as I can.