For me, art is life. My jewelry designing began with a workshop on twisted wire bangle bracelets. This workshop launched me on a path that has gone in many directions. After several months of designing jewelry with beads created by other artists, I decided it was time to have my pieces made entirely by me, so I began classes in lampwork bead design. I am now four years into lampworking and find that I learn something new each time I sit down at my torch.
Next came the medium of Precious Metal Clay (PMC). PMC is a fairly new medium. It originates in clay form with tiny particles of silver. When fired in a kiln, the clay burns away and the pure silver remains. It is an incredible and versatile product which also comes in copper and bronze.
Most recently I have been delving into the world of soldering, enameling, resin and found object jewelry. I love anything old and unusual. To incorporate that into my jewelry design is very exciting. It is very important to me for my designs to reflect my personality and love of art.
I moved my art studio into what was one of the original blacksmith shops in the Historic Downtown Square Mile of Mesa, Arizona. The adobe building was built in 1911 and is now home to Twisted Sisters' Designs. I look forward to showing you our gallery.
Debra McKee
My whole life I have loved to make things with my hands. As a little girl I could entertain myself for hours creating and it has continued through my adult life. I want to try everything and as a result I have an abundance of projects. I won't deny that I have always loved jewelry. I have spent time over the years enrolled in classes developing other passions for needlework, painting and wood carving to name a few. I still love all of these mediums, but designing jewelry is something I have always longed to pursue. I honestly believe that all of these endeavors have helped me to grow artistically.
After taking a class in the simple stringing of beads I became hooked, as I knew I would. I have traveled all over the Phoenix valley to find wonderful beads to use in my jewelry, but soon knew I needed to begin designing my own. I have taken classes in several different studios learning to make lampwork glass beads and love it. When you have a strong hunger for creating you are never satisfied and always looking to learn more. The possibilities are endless.
Along with the desire to make beads, I looked for ways to embellish my designs and PMC (Precious Metal Clay) was the perfect solution. I think my interest in wood carving made me fall in love with this medium instantly. It is fascinating to take a lump of Precious Metal Clay and form it into something with your hands, fire it in a kiln and miraculously it transforms into fine silver.
I am forever grateful to the many teachers that have instructed and encouraged me to find my creative self. My friends and family have always been my biggest fans. My Twisted Sisters, Debra, Mary and I have spent hours in the studio learning, creating and laughing together and we are having so much fun. I thank God for any talent I might have and hope others will enjoy my jewelry designs and feel the passion from where they came.
Rita Offutt
In my younger years, creativity was never a focal point for me. I was always interested in sports, anything that was physically challenging. But, as my years progressed, I realized I would not be able to keep that up forever. When I volunteered to be the Chairman of my church festival, I needed to come up with projects for the ladies to make during the year. I found that I actually could come up with creative ideas, and the ladies enjoyed the projects I found for them.
It was now time to broaden my horizons, especially because my physical activity was curtailed due to two hip replacements. A friend was telling me about a beading class she was taking, and since I had always wanted to do beading, this was a good time to start. I took one class, followed by another, then another--you can see the pattern--I was hooked.
The beading classes were followed by Precious Metal Clay classes, which were followed by classes in making dichroic glass cabochons to put into the PMC. The dichroic glass classes segued into making lampwork beads, which led to glass fusing, providing me with lots of chances to work in many different colors; I love colors! I started doing chainmaille in copper, brass and silver, and am now incorporating colored niobium rings into my chainmaille pieces. I've gone even further with colors by painting all different sizes of silk scarves and learning the different techniques to obtain different textures.
I find that I am able to combine many of the mediums I have learned, beading, PMC, glass fusing, chainmaille, wire twisting, and fashion unique designs. I take great pride in each piece I make and revel in the notion that I have creativity within me; I just needed to let it out. I know there are many doors I have yet to open in my art, and I look forward to my continued enrichment.
