About

Jean Menden Artists Biography

 

I consider myself a traditional silversmith.  For 20 years I’ve been designing and creating original jewelry pieces from sterling silver and gemstones.  

 

      

 

Hand fabrication, fire, and a hammer (or two) are the tools of my trade.  Each piece is designed with the shape and color of the stone in mind.  All of my statement pieces are one of a kind.  Stones from the South West  as well as agates from MN and SD make up some spectacular one of a kind statement pieces.

I have created an everyday wear line of designs that are similar to one another and coordinate with my other pieces.

 

        

 

Handmade chains for bracelets and necklaces are wear forever items.  Pass them down to the next generation.

 

My influences began in junior high art class when we had a jewelry creation unit.  I was hooked.

I had the good fortune of traveling to Norway for a month following college graduation.  The Norwegian silversmiths are amongst the world’s greatest.  Ideas developed and festered for many years.  Upon retiring from  my teaching career I attended some silversmithing classes which further embedded the addiction.   Trips to  the SW including New Mexico and Arizona introduced me to yet another version of silversmithing.  Native artists and their use of the gems of the SW gave me even more inspiration.    Between the Norwegian silversmiths (my heritage) and the Native American silversmiths (my countries heritage) my design style was born.

 

      

 

More info on how I create, why I do it the way I do it, and my choices of materials are in another

section called info.

 

My work is available through my website, www.jmendensilver.com  ,   My FB page J Menden Silver, various juried art shows and the world famous Meander   www.artsmeander.com

 

I also welcome visitors by appointment to my beautiful studio on Big Stone Lake.