Category: gemstones
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Tiger tiger blue and green
Czech Glass clear ‘tiger’ beads, black, green Czech Glass & gold copper wire -
Weight of jade
🍏 Green Jade, copper wire and silver lobster clasp I titled it Weight because these beads have some definite heft to them!
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Bumble bumblebee
Citrine chips, black tourmaline chips and gold copper wire wire 
Rose quartz chips, moonstone & strawberry quartz chips, copper wire, copper clasp -
Chips – Amber chips darling
Amber chips on gold copper wire with silver copper wire -
Ring a ding ding
Copper, silver copper wire, rose gold spiral, purple stone with silver copper, silver copper with blue lapis gemstone, copper knuckle, rectangle copper wire Blue Rhapsody
Black Czech glass, blue cobalt square glass, gold copper wire, silver lobster clasp 
Moonstone, amethyst, lacy agate chips, gold brass findings 
Copper wire, blue protection bead, black sardonyx, black Czech glass, copper lobster clasp -
Ring prototype silver copper wire/aqua glass bead
Playing around after seeing an inspirational gallery 332 Studio at the amazing Northrup King Building NE Mpls, 1500 Jackson Street- go find them and the many creators – their on the second floor #216. Home to Art a whirl, a calaphony of other artists and beautiful things. Including Tipton -Hammond arts studio- A.Drew & Beverly T. Hammond artists. A.Drew made time to explain his collages & paintings on view & Beverly invited me to see more in her studio. Sweet 🧁.
Make some time go see something pretty/inspirational/moving / soul nourishing… By local artisans! https://www.northrupkingbuilding.com/
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Art & Design by Michelle
Art has always been a part of my life to the point I never really considered it not to be, it was/is my normal in our family. Many art projects from a young age were hung on the fridge, the walls or on shelves. We were always creating or in sports or going to museums, gallery, and shows as a participant or in the audience.
My current journey into jewerly making starts with metal wire and gemstones from a seminar series that I took from Amy Wilderson – it was offered at our local (& only in the Twin Cities) African American heritage gallery & museum in North Minneapolis (MAAGHM).
I had heard about the class from the museum, my friend Melissa & social media. I guess the ancestors were speaking! And I paid attention.
In my class, with 7 other women from our community, we learned the basics for working with wire over ten weeks (yes it was a commitment!), our first exhibition and then a second series in the seminar through spring 2015. We bonded, laughed and recreated pieces of our families ‘things’ into something new while learning new techniques and materials. It became our ‘Reframed treasures.’
The impact from the classes I’m certain will be felt and embraced for a lifetime. I’m ever eternally grateful for the experience and these first steps along this wonderful new path of life. It has ignited a passion to keep creating.
Not only did I develop this new skill, made friends & new sense of accomplishment in my life I connected with the Chairwoman of a new arts and cultural commission in my city where I live. I applied and got on the board and am now – Vice Chairwoman! Wow what a start of the year.
Cherry on top we were able to showcase our work at the museum. It got accepted after at the UROC center of the University of Minnesota for two additional shows.
My jewelry – my art. My main focus is gemstones and different copper wires. You will see me at local fairs this year (2025) as I work on getting my website & store up and running.
Acrylic beads wrapped in gold & silver copper wire (heart shaped) attached to upcycled metal collar My pieces are handmade with elements of upcycled jewerly, copper wire, resin, gemstones, glass & Czech glass.
Primary focus is bracelets, necklaces, cuffs & rings. I lean more modern & abstract even in my pieces.
Gold copper wire bracelet 
Gold copper wire Above same bracelet different angles.
First blog post thanks for reading and being part of my journey!
Cheers
Michelle
michelleithayerjewelry 