TALLGRASSÂ JEWELRY
Janice Bowden, Jewelry Artist
Earthy stone and wire jewelry inspired by the wide vistas and natural beauty of the prairie
Welcome to my small website. Wirework has been my passion for over 8 years. I had seen simple wire work but saw intricate wire designs for the first time done by Carolyn Eddy at Gem Faire in Tulsa, OK and was immediately in love with this wonderful art form that was being taught. I stayed for 6 hours to take a class on wrapping a pendant. I must give all credit to Carolyn's marvelous teaching ability, true artistic talent and unending patience with her students. For my second class, I brought her a fossilized ammonite, with all it's natural nooks and bends, and told her I not only wanted to wrap it, I wanted to do it upside down and inside out! I was so new to the craft I didn't know how difficult that request was, but I am still wearing that pendant to this day.
All of my work is done in traditional wirework, no solder or glue. I make all my own chain, clasps, earwires and all components of my jewelry that it's possible to do in wire.
Tallgrass Jewelry features unusual natural gemstones and precious metal wire worked into one of a kind statement jewelry made in my home studio. The stunning and unique beauty of natural stones is a constant source of inspiration to me. Most of the cabochons I use are hand cut so each piece has a unique story. As much as possible, I try to use recycled or reclaimed sterling silver wire made in the Southwestern USA. The quality of my jewelry isn't sacrificed by using recycled silver and I'm doing a small part in being more gentle to the earth.
My years of experience ensures that you will receive an exceptionally crafted product. It is my desire that when you purchase a piece from me you are a satisfied customer for life. Therefore, I have a lifetime repair service on every piece of jewelry. If anything should happen to a piece you purchase, just contact me for return information and I will repair it at no cost to you.
My work is on permanent display at The Gallery on Sixth at 2207 E 6th, Tulsa, OK. Their website is www.thegalleryonsixth.com. It is a lovely gallery with many fine craftspeople showcasing their work. I also do several juried art and craft shows this year. Please check my Class page for locations and times.
All of my work is done in traditional wirework, no solder or glue. I make all my own chain, clasps, earwires and all components of my jewelry that it's possible to do in wire.
Tallgrass Jewelry features unusual natural gemstones and precious metal wire worked into one of a kind statement jewelry made in my home studio. The stunning and unique beauty of natural stones is a constant source of inspiration to me. Most of the cabochons I use are hand cut so each piece has a unique story. As much as possible, I try to use recycled or reclaimed sterling silver wire made in the Southwestern USA. The quality of my jewelry isn't sacrificed by using recycled silver and I'm doing a small part in being more gentle to the earth.
My years of experience ensures that you will receive an exceptionally crafted product. It is my desire that when you purchase a piece from me you are a satisfied customer for life. Therefore, I have a lifetime repair service on every piece of jewelry. If anything should happen to a piece you purchase, just contact me for return information and I will repair it at no cost to you.
My work is on permanent display at The Gallery on Sixth at 2207 E 6th, Tulsa, OK. Their website is www.thegalleryonsixth.com. It is a lovely gallery with many fine craftspeople showcasing their work. I also do several juried art and craft shows this year. Please check my Class page for locations and times.
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I chose "Tallgrass Jewelry" for my business name because my house is surrounded by prairie and I love the sense of freedom and space I get when I can see from horizon to horizon. This is the view from my front door in mid-May with all of the spring blooms and grasses tall and green. The grasses and wild flowers on the prairie are constantly changing, from purple lupines in the spring to brown eyed susans and creamy queen anne's lace in the summer, then the purple and orange tips of the tallgrass in late summer and fall. From almost any window in my house I can see the skyline of downtown Tulsa over 30 miles away and miles of open prairie land to the north, so I feel no boundaries. The Oklahoma Tallgrass Preserve is not too far from my home and is a marvelous example of the natural beauty of the Oklahoma Prairie and the co-existence of the natural tallgrass and the massive buffalo which have been dependent on each other for thousands of years. For more information about the Tallgrass Prairie, please check out their website http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/oklahoma/preserves/tallgrass.html SRAJD is an organization comprised of jewelry artists who craft every piece they sell. When you purchase from a member of SRAJD you are guaranteed that you are buying directly from the artist and supporting the local art community.
