Name: Pam
East
Location: Atlanta, GA
Tell us a little about what you make:
I work primarily in silver and enamel. I
started making enamel beads on copper tubing in the mid
90s. In 2003 I stumbled across Art Clay Silver, a
medium that fires to pure fine silver, and it completely
changed my direction. At that point I branched away
from beads and on to other forms of jewelry design in silver
incorporating a variety of embellishments such as enamels,
stones, and patinas. My Most recent projects
have included experimenting with hollow form pendants, working
with natural materials such as leaves, and transferring
my ink paintings to silver.
What is the price range of your work: $40 to $500
Where can a shopper buy your merchandise?
Turning Leaf Wood Art Gallery, A Fine Art Gallery http://www.turningleafwoodart.com
Formal art training or education: I was an art
major in college, but focused on Photography at that time.
I have taken certification courses in Art Clay Silver.
I have taken a few workshops over the years, but in the
realm of jewelry design I’m mostly self taught.
Where do you get your inspiration from? I draw
inspiration from a variety of sources. I think contrast
is inherently interesting, and will often use combinations
of smooth and textured surfaces, mixtures of silver and
gold, and partially enameled surfaces to create visually
dynamic pieces. I’m also inspired by nature and use
a great deal of natural forms in my production work.
I’m very drawn to Asian influences. I like the
simplicity of Asian art and design, and work to translate
the clean, elegant images to silver.
Describe any other hobbies or interesting things about yourself.
I love to write, but since I mostly write magazine
articles on jewelry design, it’s more an extension
of my work than a hobby. Chinese brush painting is
my current passion, but again, like many other “hobbies”
in my life, it’s finding it’s way into my jewelry
art. Probably my only guilty pleasure that doesn’t
end up in my work is my love of reading steamy novels.
List any awards etc. that you are proud of.
In 2007 my first book, Enameling on Metal Clay,
was published by Kalmbach Publishing.
In 2005 I was awarded the designation of Art Clay Silver
Master Instructor. I am one of just 10 ACS Master Instructors
in the USA. I have written dozens of magazine articles which
have appeared in such publications as Art Jewelry Magazine,
Lapidary Journal, Glass on Metal, Step-by-Step Beads, and
others. I’ve been a presenter at the Biennial Enamelist
Conference and at the Metal Clay World Conference.
