Glass
and Stone, Wearable Art
Czechoslovakian
leaves, sea jasper, carnelian, blood stone... just some of the myriad
of glass and semi-precious stones that Catherine Hysell uses in her jewelry
designs. Sold in stores and galleries throughout the country, Catherine
was recently one of the finalists for the Saul Bell Design Awards, a national
competition that receives more than four hundred entries annually.
Through the use of imaginative color combinations, innovative wire wrap,
and beautiful materials, Catherine's designs are able to retain the artist's
individual look and stand out in a sea of competition. What makes Catherine's
pieces so unique?
Upon inspection of Catherine's line, you'll note two distinct styles.
One is delicate and ethereal, incorporating the Czech glass beads done
in varying shapes and colors of leaves, eggs and other organic shapes,
with smaller stones, often multi-layered, using wire wrap and silk cord.
On the other end of the spectrum are earth toned, weightier pieces that
include her signature ropes made of thousands of Japanese or Czech glass
beads and bearing an aesthetic resemblance to an exotic serpentine mosaic.
Luxurious in their weight, color, and price tag, they fit easily into
gallery settings looking like a piece of sculpture in themselves. While
both styles are quite distinct, they do share a commonality that hints
at Catherine's past travels to India, China, and Saudi Arabia (where she
lived for a time.) There's a sort of ethnicity to her line that is exotic
but not aggressively so, it's just one more facet that adds to the individual
stamp of the designer. Other influences include a mother who is an accomplished
artist, and a father who is an architect. With a collection that includes
an impressive body of work it's remarkable that this artist made her first
necklace just three years ago.
 mmmmm mmmmm
After suffering from an illness diagnosed as Chronic
Fatigue Immunity Dysfunction Syndrome, Catherine was forced to rethink
her future, and more specifically her career, as she was unable to remain
in the physically demanding profession of clinical psychology. Knowing
that her hours would have to be flexible, the idea of working for herself
and at home was appealing, but the thought of being a jewelry designer
was not something that immediately came to mind. A number of years ago
while in college Catherine had studied fine arts, so the creativity was
there, but had been somewhat dormant while she concentrated on her work
in psychology. Still contemplating her future, she enrolled in a jewelry
making class at a local bead shop, more as an interesting diversion rather
than a possible career catalyst. As it turned out, that one step launched
a small business that is now expanding after several years of experimentation
in the designing, production, and marketing of her jewelry. Catherine's
recent growth has included trunk shows in La Jolla and Sonoma, and she
will soon be showing in Chicago.
Although
her pieces are designed and produced in short runs (the maximum any one
design is replicated is six times) Catherine also continues to specialize
in one of a kind, custom items that are commissioned by an ever-increasing
circle of regular clientele.
If
you would like to find Catherine's designs, a few places to look include
the G Gallery in Napa, Sumner and Dene in
San Diego, Callaway Gallery in Rochester MN, and Warwick's
in La Jolla.
Her line includes earrings, bracelets, and necklaces and range in price
from $40 to upwards of $700.
www.catherinehysell.com
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