Bio

          Anita’s interest in art began at a young age.  She observed her father designing and creating wrought iron railings and was often found in his workshop helping him.  Through the years she enjoyed sketching with pencil, charcoal and pastels.  She continued to study art and design in college.  After working at various office jobs and taking time out to raise her son, she eventually got back into the “creative” mode.  She experimented with stained glass, and then eventually metals.   She attended a series of metal working classes at a local art gallery, where she learned basic metalworking techniques.  

           Anita creates unique, contemporary designs with an earthy, organic flair.  Essentially, her jewelry is fabricated from sterling silver, copper, brass, semi-precious stones, glass, fossils and sometimes found objects.  All pieces are hand crafted using traditional metal working techniques such as sawing,  soldering, drilling, hammering, texturing, polishing, and making bezels for setting stones.  She continues to refine her skills and knowledge in the jewelry arts by attending specialized workshops. 

 

Artist Statement

           As an artist, my expression is through mixed metals.  I also incorporate semi-precious stones, fossils, glass or sometimes found objects into my work.  The inspiration for my jewelry designs comes primarily from nature, but I also draw inspiration from architecture, music, and even emotions.  I like working with copper and silver, particularly because of their healing properties, and the way they compliment each other.  The process of transforming raw metals into “wearable art”, gives me great satisfaction.   I enjoy creating unique, interesting, designs for those who appreciate American-made fine craft.

 

Press:

 

January 2010 - Copper In The Arts Magazine Feature

http://www.copper.org/consumers/arts/2010/january/supplement.html#s1

 

 

Awards:

 

 

2008 - 3rd Place Jewelry category - Wood Street Fair

 

 2007 Winner - Merit Award for Artistic Excellence

 ~ Autumn in Moorestown Festival ~

 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  

Healing Properties of Copper and Silver

Copper

          According to New Age healers, copper can stimulate the flow of energy and hence move psychic or mental energies thereby helping the wearer overcome lethargic tendencies, resulting in a more vitalized person with amplified thoughts.  It is also attributed to powers of communication, channeling, cleansing, purification, increasing self-esteem and freeing the wearer of mental burdens.  Copper is believed to be a very powerful assistant with arthritic and rheumatic diseases, and also improves the circulation of blood, increasing energy, detoxification, reducing inflammation, stabilizing metabolism and improving oxygen use.

Silver

          Silver has been used for thousands of years for ornaments and utensils and as the basis for many monetary systems.  It's value as a precious metal was long considered second only to gold.  In Ancient Egypt and Medieval Europe, it was often more valuable than gold. 

          Metaphysically, silver is believed to be a mirror to the soul, helping us to see ourselves as others see us.  Silver is a major conductor and communicator and is believed facilitate speech and public speaking eloquence and enhance patience and perseverance, drawing negative energy out from the body and replacing it with positive energy.