Lexington, KY - As an art form, jewelry is one of the oldest in human history, even prehistory. And looking at the proliferation and success of do-it-yourself craft e-commerce sites, like Etsy.com, it's evident that many jewelry-making hobbyists are transitioning from amateur to professional.
While online sites are a great venue for jewelry makers to market and sell their artwork around the country, the local and independent stores that choose to support area artists by giving them shelf space are just as important.
Lexington and the Bluegrass region has an abundant share of jewelry makers, working in a variety of forms and materials --
from blue and white University of Kentucky bling to sustainably sourced sterling silver. We caught up with several local jewelry makers whose work you can find for sale around town in various retail outlets.
While it's a small snapshot of the wealth of talent that resides in the Lexington area, these individuals represent a wide range of different styles and purposes. There is, however, one common thread between them: a passion for the art they create.
Tipaporn "Otto" Delph
Tipaporn "Otto" Delph, a native of Bangkok, Thailand, isn't concerned about making a lot of money from her jewelry creations. For her, the process has a remedial effect, and the fact she can share her work with others is an added bonus.
Delph started making jewelry in 2003 when her mother needed extra care and traveled from Thailand to Lexington to live with Delph and her husband, Larry.
"I turned to jewelry making as something therapeutic," Delph said. "I stayed up late at night when everything was quiet and I had time to think."
Starting out making small pieces, Delph sought advice on how to create more intricate designs from the staff at Dandelion Beads in Lexington. She also studied jewelry-making techniques on various websites before she started began creating pieces on a larger scale.
"I gave pieces to my friends and they told me maybe I should start selling it," she said. "So I started selling jewelry at a few fairs around town, and I've been building my customer base since."
Delph said she has continued making jewelry "to meet people, and because I enjoy seeing my customers get excited about what they buy for themselves or others."
Delph originally came to the United States from Thailand to further her education at Berea College. After spending 27 years as a teacher at Garden Springs Elementary, she retired and delved full force into jewelry.
"At the beginning, my jewelry was more on the higher end (price-wise) even though I don't do any soldering; I just do stringing and connection pieces," said Delph, who sells her work under the name Otto Creations. "But I used a lot of sterling silver and Swarovski crystals."
In order to better accommodate customers, Delph started using Swarovski crystals on a smaller scale and silver-plated materials instead of sterling. The price range of Delph's jewelry is now $4 -
100. "I think one of the attractions (of my jewelry) and the reason why my customers keep coming back is because I'm reasonable," she said.
In addition to her fancier jewelry, Delph also makes blue and white themed pieces to cater to University of Kentucky fans, as well as beaded pieces that are comparable to Pandora beads.
Locally, Delph's jewelry is available at Modern Mercantile and Cardinal Uniforms and Scrubs. She also sells her merchandise at local arts and crafts festivals (e-mail her at tipadelph@ yahoo.com for a schedule).
Elizabeth Givens
Elizabeth Givens studied painting at the University of Kentucky, and while she still occasionally dabbles in that hobby, her artistic pursuits have taken on a whole new life in the form of jewelry making.
Givens, who was involved in jewelry crafts as a hobby with her sister as a young girl, started creating pieces again during her college years.
"It was kind of a side thing, but it really blew up in the last four years and has taken on a life of its own," said Givens, who now sells her jewelry locally at Artique, Modern Mercantile, Monkee's of Lexington, Daffodils, Worlds Apart, and AJ's.
Givens said she would describe her style as "a little bit of everything."
"I cater to the customer of each store," she explained, noting how she makes different styles of jewelry for the various retail outlets. For example, at Artique, she focuses on more innovative pieces, using such materials as bicycle chains and mixed media art.
Givens said she uses high quality stones, gold and silver to create her jewelry. "I make traditional pieces, funky art pieces, and then I have a more high-end line at a couple of stores."
"I also am a bit of a fashionista; Vogue is like my Bible," Givens added. "I try to read it every month and then make affordable, fashionable jewelry using real materials. Everything is hand wrapped and handmade. I don't set any stones, but I try to find a way to make them look set and make them durable at the same time."
Givens also has a full-time day job, so most of her days consist of working an eight-hour shift, then coming home and creating jewelry late into the night.
"Being an artist, anything and everything catches my eye (for inspiration)," she said. "I find a stone and a chain and let it speak to me and see where it takes me."
The price range of Givens' jewelry is around $6 -
40. "My customers always come back for more and say they've had compliments wearing (my jewelry)," Givens said. "For me, that's the biggest compliment. I do it because I love it; it's not so much the money."
Josie Lamb Williams and Mark Williams
Josie Lamb Williams, who is passionate about creating earrings and necklaces from eco-friendly, sustainable materials, has a relationship with jewelry that dates back to a make-your-own kit she received as a child.
"It just started as a hobby, but I really fell in love with it; I've always been into creative expression," she said.
Shortly after marrying, Josie and her husband, Mark, decided they wanted to shape their lives around jewelry making. "It just seemed like a natural fit to take it to the next level and learn a little more and get more in depth with the technical aspects of it," she said.
Josie and Mark are now partners in their Lexington-based jewelry making business, Mayapple Creations. While Josie does more of the silver sculpture and fusing, Mark does texturing, adds patinas and shapes the copper forms of their jewelry pieces.
Early into their venture, Josie, who has always been interested in environmental matters, learned about the controversial labor practices overseas involved in a vast amount of bead processing and the environmental concerns involved in silver mining.
"It got to the point where, as much as I love making jewelry, it was either find a better way or quit," she said. "So I was really grateful when I started researching and found there's a wealth of options out there for sustainable materials."
Josie and Mark's jewelry reflects an earthy and organic design, with many of their pieces containing ancient symbols or shapes found in nature. Each piece is made from 100 percent recycled Argentium sterling silver, accented by Fair Trade recycled glass, ethically sourced freshwater pearls, and hand-gathered natural materials.
Mark said their business has always reflected "resilience and adaptability."
"That's probably a key part that has shaped what we do as the world and our economy and our lives are always changing," Josie added.
The Williamses don't travel to as many art shows as they used to since the recent birth of their first child. But they do sell their jewelry in several stores around Kentucky, including Artique in Lexington; Damselfly Gallery in Midway; Completely Kentucky in Frankfort; Top Drawer Gallery and Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea; True Kentucky in Glendale; and Amazing Green Planet in Louisville. Visit Mayapple Creations at www.mayapplecreations.com for more information.
Pam Gaska
Pam Gaska, who described her jewelry-making style as "traditional and personal," has altered her techniques over the years to create pieces from a variety of materials. From hand painting wooden beads to creating ceramic pieces with her own kiln, Gaska is constantly looking for ways to expand and improve her inventory.
Gaska became interested in jewelry making while attending craft shows with her mother around 15 years ago.
"I used to think it was interesting and would be a fun thing to try, so I picked up a few books and started learning how to do jewelry that way," she said. "Then I started making things by trial and error until I first found a technique I liked. I decided to try my first craft fair, and ever since then I've just gotten better."
Over the years, Gaska has grown her business, Fired and Wired, from selling at a few craft fairs a year, to having her pieces available at several Lexington boutiques, including Sincerely Yours in Victorian Square and Kolors Art & Gift Boutique in Palomar Center.
Gaska, who initially made her pieces mostly from PolyShrink plastic, eventually moved on to hand-painted wood, ceramics and metals to make her jewelry more personal. Gaska's husband, Jim, assists her in the process by creating aluminum cups and pendants on his CNC Mill, which she then paints and coats in resin.
Gaska creates a variety of different styles of jewelry, from every-day decorative pieces to University of Kentucky and holiday themed items. She also custom creates pieces for people that have a specific sports team or other theme in mind.
When asked which of her pieces she most enjoys making, Gaska said, "I'm proud of a lot of the UK-themed jewelry. It sells so well. I'm dying for the day when I run across somebody that bought my stuff and is wearing it."
Gaska said the fact that her jewelry is hand painted sets her apart. "I'll see stuff that's kind of like mine, especially the polka dot beads, but it's made in China and it's not as good of quality," she said.
Visit Pam Gaska's Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/firedandwired.