Artists to meet and greet fans at ArtWorks Ashley Reams 30.AUG.06 Ever since she was a little girl, Beverly Wladkowski has been fascinated by copper. When she was young, her grandmother called her “Coppernob” because she had red hair. One day, Wladkowski asked her grandmother what coppernob meant, and her grandmother explained copper was a reddish-colored metal. Once Wladkowski knew what copper was, she noticed it everywhere. Her dad did electrical work, and Wladkowski would find bits of copper wire among his work equipment. When she saw the pieces of copper, she would always stop what she was doing to look at them. “I was always drawn to copper,” she said. Years later, when Wladkowski was in college, she took a jewelry-making course where she learned about two processes used to hold metal together: soldering and cold-joining. In soldering, an alloy called solder is used to fuse two metal objects together. In cold joining, on the other hand, rivets and screws are used to hold metal pieces together. She enjoyed the class, but when it was over, so were her jewelry-making days. “It was something that I always wanted to do,” she said, “but after college, I just didn’t.” Wladkowski became a graphic designer but found she was always designing to fit a client’s needs. Although she was drawing on her creative skills, she was never coming up with her own creative ideas. So she decided to start creating for herself again. Three years ago, she took another jewelry-making class at the Delaplaine Visual Arts and Education Center in Frederick. There, she relearned the cold-joining process and started making jewelry for herself as a hobby, using brass, nickel and her favorite metal, copper. “I wanted to make something that could be worn dressy or with jeans and a T-shirt as well,” she said. The result of her creation was a collection of pins, pendants, earrings and décor, which was often celestial-themed. Wladkowski said she likes to create suns, stars, moons and swirls. One day while shopping, she walked into ArtWorks in Westminster. She happened to be wearing one of the pieces she had made, and store owners Missie Wilcox and Randi Buergenthal commented on how much they liked it. They offered to sell her jewelry in their store. Wladkowski, who lives in Westminster, agreed, and her whimsical metal jewelry has been part of ArtWorks’ merchandise for two years. In addition to the celestial-themed pieces, much of the jewelry Wladkowski sells at ArtWorks has moveable parts. Wladkowski uses hinges to create pins and pendants that flip open, similar to lockets. The pieces usually have inspirational words on them, Wladkowski said. For example, one of her pins has the word “dream” on the outside and the word “believe” on the inside. “Her stuff is really cool,” Wilcox said. “They’re one-of-a-kind. All of these pieces are hand-made.” Next week, Wladkowski will have the opportunity to talk about her jewelry during an artist meet-and-greet hosted by ArtWorks. She is one of five artists who will be featured at the event. Although ArtWorks hosts artist’s showings, particularly during the holiday season, the store has never before held a meet-and-greet, according to Wilcox. Only one artist is featured during an artist’s showing, which tends to be a bit formal, Wilcox said. But the meet-and-greet will be more casual, and ArtWorks customers will be able to talk to each of the different artists and hear the story behind each piece of art. ArtWorks’ merchandise includes original hand-made works, Wilcox said, and customers often ask her how a certain piece was made and what inspired the artist to create the piece. At the meet-and-greet, customers will be able to ask the artists themselves. “You know why they did what they did, and that’s really cool,” Wilcox said. Seeing art and talking to artists might also inspire event-goers to begin making their own creations, she said. “We’re hoping somebody who’s been afraid to try art in the past might be inspired to try,” she said. Although ArtWorks showcases more that 150 artists from the United States and Canada, Wilcox said introducing the community to local artists is an important part of the event. “It’s a great way for local people to see the talented local artists we have,” she said. Reach staff writer Ashley Reams at 410-857-3316 or reamsa@lcniofmd.com. If you go What: ArtWorks’ Artist Meet-and-Greet When: Sept. 7, 7 to 9 p.m. Where: ArtWorks, 29 East Main Street, Westminster Cost: Free Note: Refreshments provided Information: 410-871-9590 Featured artists In addition to Beverly Wladkowski, the following artists will be featured at the meet-and-greet. Melinda Byrd, of Woodbine: Creates painted glassware, floorcloths, paintings, woodcuts, T-shirts and hand-painted pins. \Patrick and Patricia Livelsberger, of Westminster: Create handcrafted soaps using skin-nourishing oils, butters and natural ingredients. Their work is known as Sentimental Soaps because many of the soaps they make honor the passing of a loved one or a special occasion. Bettina Magarill Pressman, of Reisterstown: Creates handcrafted necklaces, earrings and bracelets from freshwater pearls, handmade glass beads and sterling silver. Her work is known as Beads By Bettina. Phyllis Traynor, of Westminster: Creates functional hand-made pottery including saki sets, canisters, bowls, plates and vases in blue, gray and rust colors. - Advocate Staff Writer All information listed ©2006 bcreations
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