Bassett Jewelers Welcomes Back “silver & bold” artists to their Showroom
Bassett Jewelers is hosting it’s second round of jewelry trunk shows featuring local designers on August 15, 22 & 29 from 10am to 4 pm. “Silver and Bold: A Northwoods Jewelry Designers Showcase” will feature artists Betty J. Christian of Lake Tomahawk, Kathy Furda of Rhinelander and Wendy Powalisz of Land O’ Lakes on three separate saturdays in the store’s showroom. Each artist will be on hand to talk to customers directly about their pieces.
The event was conceived last fall by owner Susan Bassett and marketing manager, Amy Higgason as a direct response to customer inquiries. “There have been many customer requests for locally made items. We hand selected these three ladies because their craftsmanship is first-rate. They each have their own signature styles and unique approaches to their materials”notes Susan Bassett. “The first event went over so well that we created a ‘Northwoods Boutique’ within the store to showcase these artists year-round. The reaction has been extremely positive!” adds Bassett.
“Late summer is the perfect time to bring the artists back to the showroom for another round of Silver & Bold trunk shows. It’s an opportunity for Betty, Kathy & Wendy to meet our seasonal customers that missed the shows last November & December” Higgason explains.
Artist Betty J. Christian is first up on Sat., Aug. 15. Christian began creating wire wrapped jewelry in the late 90’s. Her intricate pieces are formed one at a time using only hand tools and jigs. She works primarily with sterling silver, but also uses 14K gold-filled wire and copper wire in some designs. Most pieces incorporate gemstones or other bead materials, including pearls, glass, wood, bone, clay, and seeds. “When I work with wire it seems to take on a fluid-like quality as it willingly flows into form. Each piece is a fun journey of creation” claims Christian.
The store welcomes Kathy Furda on Sat., Aug. 22. Furda designs jewelry incorporating glass lampworked beads and fine silver pieces. She makes her beads over a torch. It involves melting glass rods over a metal rod and then reworking the glass into art forms. Furda fuses fine silver wire to some of her glass beads. She also uses fine silver clay to create silver beads that are then fired in her kiln. “I like the combination of smooth glass beads and textured silver. The range of color, style, glass and precious metals that can be utilized is unlimited. It’s a very exciting creative medium.” states Furda.
Shoppers can meet Wendy Powalisz at Bassett’s showroom on Sat., Aug 29. Powalisz lists playing with her grandma’s necklaces and big jars of buttons as an “early delight.” Her fascination grew as she learned how antique beads traveled across the globe as currency. “Imagine the stories they could tell” she remarks. Powalisz began collecting vintage glass beads from Europe, African trade beads and semi-precious stones from around the world. She combines them with fairly traded silver from Thailand. “I still play with beads and buttons, but today they end up as one-of-a-kind jewelry creations.”
"We are excited to share this fine work with our customers. It's a talented group and as a small local merchant, it's our privilege to promote these area entrepreneurs." Bassett ads. Each artist will be at the store on their day from 10 am to 4 pm. Jewelry by these artists is available year-round at Bassett Jewelers, located at the stoplights in downtown Minocqua. Please call 715-356-7272 for more information.
Now that most of the work is done, I thought I would give you a little preview to tomorrow's Silver & Bold Show. This piece has a Fine Silver handmade charm with the words "Till we Meet Again". Suspended from the charm is a 
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