Linda Wilson
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LINDA WILSON - jewelry
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Linda started her jewelry-making adventure in 1991 with the discovery of hot glass. She fused glass pendants and pins in her small kiln. As time passed, her jewelry included more and more metal and wirework. In 2003, Linda decided to reinvent her jewelry style. To add color and texture, she chose natural stones and pearls to complement her metal & wire. While sampling various techniques, Linda fell in love with chain maille. "It's so very comfortable. I wear my bracelet 24/7."
Linda describes her current style as "contemporary classic" and strives for wearability in each piece. Linda is a member of the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists and of the Memphis Association of Craft Artists. |
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Artist Statement
I create my jewelry using precious metals, natural stone and pearls. My work begins with coils of wire and sheets of metal. The metal sheet is cut or sawn into shapes. I free-bend the wire using fingers, pliers and different-sized dowels. I then use mallets or a rolling mill to provide texture, and files to smooth all edges. Each piece is work-hardened using a mallet or by tumbling. All of my work involves solderless techniques. I purchase natural stone beads and pearls, selected for color, size and shape. I also acquire small pieces of rough stone at mineral shows which I finish into a stone that is part rough and part polished. I work in series, first selecting a color palette, and then finding combinations of shapes, textures and colors. Within a series, some designs may be traditional or more tailored, while others may be free form. Each design leads me to the next. I continue to explore additional techniques, such as weaving fine wire, fusing metals, and new materials such as metal clay. My true sense of accomplishment comes from seeing one of my pieces being worn with a smile. |
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