Artist Statement: Shelly Thrall

www.shellythrall.com

I found my love for creating jewelry while living in New Zealand, inspired by the landscape and rugged west coast beaches of the North Island.

Eventually making my way back home to Minnesota, I found my inspiration was again fueled by nature. When I am not in my studio, my next favorite place to be is paddling in a canoe in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

I like to mix natural fibers, sterling silver, copper, brass, beads, found objects and semiprecious stones to make jewelry that is meaningful to me.

I often leave the marks and imperfections made during the hand-building process to enrich the finished pieces.  I use fine jeweler's sandpaper and various patinas to create a charcoal effect on the finished piece.  My end design looks organic and is comfortable to wear.

My jewelry is made from recycled or sustainably sourced materials that have a low impact on the planet and age beautifully.

I am grateful and most inspired when my jewelry and the spirit in which it was crafted resonate with you.