Namaste,
Thank you for visiting my website and showing interest in my work. I absolutely love and am passionate about what I do and I am excited to be able to share it with others. The only thing I enjoy more than creating things is meeting people. This is why, many times, I will display and sell my art locally, so I can meet the people who own my work.
I credit my grandparents for passing on to me their love of creating. They were always making something, and giving of their time and love.
I first fell in love with the look, feel and smell of wood while watching my grandfather make keepsakes for the family. I knew then that "One day I'm going to create things too." It began in my room as a child of 10 years, making little furniture pieces out of cardboard boxes. Later, I took an axe to a piece of stump in the yard. Even though the axe was dull, and the only end result was wood chips, I loved it.
Now, years later (how many years later is not important), surrounded by lots of toys tools in my own wood shop, with my grandfather's memory to guide me, I have taken my love of wood one step further. I have a deep respect for this living breathing canvas, and enjoy meticulously fine tuning my functional artwork, creating designs to sooth and empower the mind, soul and Spirit.
Each of my jewelry box designs portray a single concept of individual growth or cultural spiritual belief. Many are abstract in their reflection, others are obvious and classic in their appeal. Whether it’s jewelry, loose change or fireplace matches, my heirloom quality designs will hold them with enriching sacred beauty and style.
I began my study of gem lore while carrying my first and only child. I knew of birthstones, but soon found that a great and wonderful world could be found in a single stone. More ancient than the Breastplate of Aaron, the High Priest, and King Solomon's Temple, are the mysteries of the mineral kingdom. I believe this is the reason why children often pick up an unassuming stone and gift it to those they love.
Making jewelry began as a hobby, developing new ways of carrying my little gems. A gentleman from Mississippi, whom I consider a mentor, jump started me in the technique I now use. Following a back injury, I was no longer able to safely work in my woodshop. Making and crafting jewelry designs became a type of therapy - reminding me that whenever one door closes another one opens. It's a matter of my willingness to see it and walk through. What a true blessing this has all been.
My hand-sculpted jewelry designs, are created with the ultimate owner in mind. As the piece is crafted, each stone is carefully considered not only for it's beauty, but for the balancing and empowering properties the stone possesses and waits to imbue on its wearer. Whether you choose a piece for its beauty alone, or you're seeking a stone to assist with meditation and life lesson, my designs will affect you. My sculptured jewelry designs are created not only to adorn, but to empower the wearer with the beautiful, mystical and majickal properties of the gemstones in the designs.
"The one you choose, has chosen you. It is already yours! Honor It. "
Wood—a Living Canvas
Every species of wood has its own unique personality. A rainbow of colors are found in Canarywood and Cocobolo, but no two rainbows are alike. Although Bloodwood, Padauk, Bubinga and Redheart are all grouped as rich reds, their textures and patterns set them far apart.
Hard, Curly and Bird's Eye are names given to characterize our domestic Maple woods, but the Ambrosia Beetle paints in all Maple canvases. It leaves behind a beautiful and unique pattern eager to lend itself to the artist's whim.
Virtually any exotic or domestic wood can be used to construct these works of art; the trick is to match the wood with the design. This is where Pennie spends a great deal of time — visualizing the design story and intent with the origin and grain pattern of the wood.
“The wood does most of the work, I just try to keep up. It’s an awesome medium, wood. No matter how long I work with it, there is always something new. I can’t get bored with it, and it will always lend its beauty—if you’re patient.”
Pennie
Art and Function
Creating functional as well as beautiful works of art is the main theme of what Pennie strives to accomplish. Whether a designer pen surrounded by an unusual wood grain pattern, her original designs in jewelry boxes, or her sculptured jewelry designs, she envisions and brings to life, beautiful pieces of art that are meant to be a part of the owners everyday life.
“It’s great if it looks good, but I want what I make to be useful — everyday.”
Pennie
