Mama Ana: STEEZ: TORCH & SOLDER.

11.10.2010

STEEZ: TORCH & SOLDER.

KATHY BRANSFIELD

"Distinctively meaningful silver and gold jewelry"

Kathy sprouted in the backbone of America's Midwest; Cincinnati Ohio, where she spent her childhood outside climbing trees, fishing for bluegill, and pursuing any and all craft projects that came her way. Always a creative person by nature, a turning point came at the tender age of 11 when she had the opportunity to meet and paint along side the legendary TV artist Bob Ross. It was the first, as well as the last time in her life that she was speechless. After meeting her frizzy haired mentor, who was the master of giving little friends to lonely trees, she knew she wanted to devote her life to art. At the age of 13, she befriended a man from Nigeria who was selling African trade beads at a flea market. That began an obsession that started her on her jewelry path.

Having attended the prestigious School for the Creative and Performing Arts, she left home at 15 and began selling her wears to finance her travels across the country while following the band The Grateful Dead. It wasn't long before she hit a creative ceiling with beadwork and sought out metal-smithing classes along the way. After receiving a $6 letter-stamping set as a gift, she went at it with a creme brulee torch and cadmium laden solder. She was inspired by a love poem that hung behind her workbench and out of that sprung the first 'Book Necklace. It was a tiny adornment with hand-stamped pages that held the world for her. It was also the foundation for many pieces to come that would pay homage to the luminous writers whose quotes helped her to find solace and strength through the toughest of times.

Some of her other early pieces were kinetic and largely inspired by found objects. The 'Time Flies' necklace held a vintage watch face and riveted wings that moved up and down, there were anatomically correct people pins that featured interchangeable clothing, hats and hair, car bracelets that raced around the wrist with wheels made of 150yr. old Venetian glass beads, and even miniature sprinkling cans that when tilted sideways poured out streams of sterling water. But alas, it was the power of language that superseded and brought the jewelry line to where it is today.

Kathy now lives in Los Angeles, where she works hard to play hard. Camping, gourmet cooking and boating are just a few of the things that make up playtime in and around her work schedule. A lover of travel, she feels that her journeys to other lands and experiencing other cultures has been a primary resource for inspiration. Within these travels she is almost always on a mission to indulge her rivaling passion of scuba diving and underwater photography, which opens up yet another world of inspiration unto itself. She hopes she can share History's most brilliant visionaries with you through her sterling silver work.

Most pieces open to reveal hand-stamped quotes or images that capture her trust in human faith, life's complex beauty and all its diversity. Each item embodies an essence of her quirkiness and unfalteringly cheerful spirit. All are cherished by their wearers and many hold them as a sacred personal amulet.

Kathy's distinctively meaningful jewelry continues to evoke passionate responses from long time collectors and new fans alike. They can be found in the finest galleries, catalogs and exhibitions across the country. Almost 25 years later, somewhere, somehow, Bob Ross has got to be smiling.

(Portfolio)

ORIGINAL CONTENT: Artfully Elegant

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LOVE NEVER DIES