Meredith Arnold– Teacher, artist and (a very funny) personality. I’ve been fooling around with polymer clay for almost ten years (don’t tell my husband) but had never taken a class so, I signed up for Meredith’s beginning polymer clay class during the Santa Fe Interweave Fest. Well, Meredith still managed to teach me a bunch of new stuff and managed to entertain me at the same time. Hard to beat that. Thanks Meredith.
Jamie Bennett – Enamelist extraordinaire! My favorite.
Nikki Couppee – Best studio assistant ever at Mendocino Art Center in California. Bought some of her jewelry because it is so cool. Nikki makes beautiful art from plastic, steel and brass in the most elegant way. Oh, and she’s a fabulous enamelist too!
Deborrah Daher – Beautiful work. Otherworldly with divine inspiration.
Linda Darty – Think you’ve got enameling down? How about design? Learn.
Carol Decker – Friend, Jewelry Artist, Former Student (she doesn’t need me anymore). This woman has taken off at a thousand miles per hour. I’m honored to tan in her sun.
Michael deMeng – Amazing assemblage work. Crazy, arty energy. Love his work – a near worshipful respect – but not too much. I ain’t a fan of hero worship. Two great books he wrote: Dusty Diablos and Secrets of Rusty Things.
Dana Driver – Another (crazy) friend and probably one of the best craftswomen I know. Her technique is enviable!
Kathleen Dustin– Amazing Polymer Clay work. Her purses are fabulous!
Ford/Forlano – Innovators in the medium of polymer clay. These guys convinced me that polymer clay was a viable artistic medium. They elevated a child’s toy into art with their very creative hands and minds.
Jane Garabaldi – My buddy and an old pro (jeweler that is!). She does beautiful work and is way too humble. She also doesn’t have a web site – which drives me crazy.
Charles Lewton-Brain – This guy is giving Leonardo Da Vinci a run for his money. He INVENTED fold forming for God’s sake! He pretty much knows everything about jewelry. Period. Don’t even think about competing with him – you’ll lose!
Keith Lo Bue – WOW! I worship the ground he floats over. Steampunk and assemblage are words that don’t cover his style adequately.
Maja – Maja and I were in the Interior Design class at the College of Marin, many years ago. Surprisingly, we both became jewelers and skipped the interior design path. Her work is beautiful and sophisticated.
Märta Mattsson Jewelry – Wonderful jewelry. Pushing the boundaries. Yum.