Etsy

Present: My studio can be entered here http://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio and my blog about ideas and inspiration is here http://willoaksstudio.blogspot.com/
(copy and paste!) Breaking news, my crocheted cuffs are featured in Vogue Knitting, the new Crochet Special Collector's Issue 2012 Fashion Preview, on the newsstands May 8, 2012. See more information in my blog post http://willoaksstudio.blogspot.com/2012/05/another-true-confession.html (copy and paste)

Check my new earrings for fun, color and elegance; watch for many new pearl bib designs in a range of colors and different looks; and new crocheted creations, in silk or cotton, are added regularly.

Find something beautiful here--hand crafted, artfully designed necklaces, bracelets, cuffs, earrings featuring pearls, silk, sterling silver, semi-precious stones, leather, linen, glass. Wonderful gifts for many different tastes. Original structures that are one of a kind and limited editions with delightful details, quality materials, and thoughtful craftmanship; artist-made with care and love.

History: After many years of wandering the U.S. and the world, I landed back where I began: on the family farm here in northern Illinois. It’s so beautiful here and nature has long inspired and informed my artwork in many media: sculpture, papermaking, photography, and for the past few years-wearable art. WillOaks is the name of my studio, and also our farm & campground.

Wearable art has been a natural extension for me because I love to wear jewelry. Making it to suit my vision and ideas has been fascinating. Most of my pieces are original because that's how I think....and I am happy to share them with anyone who would like to be different from "the crowd." Original pieces for original women.

I have a BFA in printmaking from Washington University, St. Louis and an MFA in sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I’ve been very fortunate to win 2 national and 2 state National Endowment for the Arts fellowships, a Fulbright fellowship, and many awards for my sculpture and installation work featuring handmade paper and mixed media. The Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery acquired one of my large installations in 2006 where it will be installed periodically.

I’ve created artist’s books for many years and these are in several collections nationally and internationally. I’ve been a professor of fine art sporadically, as the opportunity presents itself. These days, I'm mostly focused on my studio work, which is a lovely place to lose myself as often as possible. I love to try new things but strive to bring focus, excellent craftsmanship, and my personal vision and interpretation to anything I do create with the hope it will inspire, provoke, or bring pleasure to my fellow human beings…I thank you personally for your interest in my work!

Karen Stahlecker
Woodstock, IL 2012