Nancy Lee Designs: Handmade Jewelry and Objects

"CC Electro" Custom Logo Brooch with Black Pearl

It’s January 9, and this is my first post for 2012. Huzzah! It’s been a whirlwind fall and wonderful early winter, and I cannot thank my friends, family, clients and fellow metalsmiths enough. This summer was a difficult one for many reasons, but the past few months have more than made up for it. My faith in my ability to stay on this creative path has been renewed, and the New Year has served to energize me with enthusiasm that is fairly crackling!

Specifically, my dream journal is full words that have been translated into meanings, and meanings are translated into imagery. The birth of a new line, even a new direction in my work, might be taking place. Who knows where this will lead?

In 2012, I hope you are full of renewed enthusiasm as well, and inspired to rededicate yourself to your dreams, whatever they may be. I wish you peace, health, and all the energy you need to follow your path.

Please keep in touch, share your journey. Comments are welcome. That is what blogging is about!

INDIANAPOLIS -

The holiday season is an important time for retailers, a time that can make the difference between a profit or loss for the year.

The same is true for local, small businesses and a new website is designed to make it easier to find and support them.

Tucked away in a tiny workshop, Nancy Lee sees the beauty in scrap pieces of copper, aluminum, clock gears – even bullets.

“I’ve been doing all sorts of arts and crafts since I was really a little, little girl,” said Lee. “I even did a beautiful woven necklace with played violin strings.”

She pounds and saws away, making pieces that rival those in the finest, big name jewelry stores and even has a little gallery. But she sure doesn’t rival big name advertising budgets.

“I would love to be able to be located by people who are looking for handmade works,” she said.

So she made a profile on Thumbtack.com. The name for Thumbtack came from the way people advertise offline. The founders wanted to build an online bulletin board, where anyone can thumbtack their service.

It is not a new idea, but the founders in San Francisco say they separate themselves by including only businesses that have chosen to sign up, letting you say what service you need, getting several local bids within 24 hours and putting each service through a 12-step verification process.

“That makes me feel good that I am amongst other people who have also been verified, so that kind of raises everyone up,” Lee said.

There are 2,000 Indianapolis businesses on Thumbtack so far, of all kinds. You can even hire a Santa Claus if you need one.

A local personal shopper and moving company listed on the site say they just wish more people knew about it. You can search Thumbtack for free, but businesses have to sign up to be a part of it and it can cost them to be part of the bidding process.

Artist Statement

My work is an experiment in emotion and hope, informed by everything I have ever experienced or imagined visually, aurally, viscerally, spiritually.

A leaf.

A sewer grate.

A vision.

A surprise.

What story in these can be expressed in metal?

What structure fabricated by human hand dares to inform the formless?

Can form create emotion?

Do I risk answers?

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Nancy Lee

Nancy Lee is a contemporary designer and award winning metalsmith working in copper, silver, brass and gold. Work sometimes includes unusual semi-precious gemstones and found objects. Techniques include etching, heat-treatments, and multiple patinas to bring warmth and color to the metal. The ancient techniques combined with modern methods help bring forth tomorrow’s treasures.

Nancy’s adventures in Metalsmithing began over a dozen years ago at the Indianapolis Art Center (Indianapolis, IN) where she enrolled in Marilyn Smith’s jewelry class to learn to make sterling findings for polymer clay beads she had created. She fell in love with the plastic qualities of metal and has been hooked since. Her work is now recognized for its minimalist style, body-conscious architecture and attention to detail.

Examples of Lee’s proficiency toward narrative works are apparent in the pendants and necklaces she favors.  Her works, layered with multiple elements of meaning, offer a perfect landscape for story. The ultimate result displays simplicity and harmony of design while allowing the viewer to insert their own authentic meaning.

Lee was raised in a small Midwest town in the Heartland of Illinois, where she enjoyed a childhood of unlocked screen doors, playing alone or with her two sisters along nearby railroad tracks and clear streams at the edge of town. She is the daughter of Lee and Roseanne Sherman of Georgetown, Illinois; middle sister to Janet and Teresa, both residing in Illinois; mother to her one and only Brad, who resides in Indiana. Lee attended Danville Area College and Parkland College, where she studied biology. Lee currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Professional Services and Designations

Lee’s professional services includes making custom-designed jewelry, limited repair service, and teaching jewelry classes in her Circle City Industrial Complex studio and at the Indianapolis Art Center . She is a member of Society of North American Goldsmiths, Society of American Silversmiths and a faculty member at the Indianapolis Art Center. Lee is the proud recipient of an Individual Artist Grant for 2010-11 from the Indianapolis Arts Commission, is a designated Indiana Artisan for her jewelry work, and is a multiple award winner at the Indiana State Fair in the Professional Artist Division. She is a volunteer board member of the Indianapolis Downtown Artist & Dealers Association (IDADA), where participates in First Friday Art Tours and acts as Board Secretary and advocate for the arts. She encourages you to buy handmade.