NelsNelsonDesign's Profile

Bio

Welcome! Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Nels Nelson Designs.

When I came upon the combination of gems, jaspers, agates, pearls, various metals; and the fact that every culture creates jewelry as its wearable art, worn everyday by the majority of people on earth – I knew I could not resist as an artist! This luscious and ancient combination of elements has inspired my professional exploration for 35 years.

As a successful jewelry designer, I participated in many of the premiere juried art and craft shows held in the East Coast, Midwest and Southern Regions of the United States. My jewelry was also featured in prominent galleries through the country. (Please note below, under Artist History)

Wanting to limit my travels and still preferring direct contact with my clients, my work is currently being offered on ETSY! I hope you enjoy your visit to my new ETSY store, and please let me know if I can assist you!

If you would like a little background on my designs in general, I’ve always liked to layer different directions and influences; a touch of now and then in the same design, or sleek contemporary lines with botanical themes. All the designs in my collections are named…and they symbolize something different to everyone, I’ve come to find out!

I’ve also found out that translating an image, into an abstract version that projects both an organic theme and geometric playfulness, is fun to do! When stones are involved, I look for the top grade in color, quality, and design to enhance each stone's special character. It’s my greatest wish that you enjoy the pieces as much as I have creating them.

The “creating” is done through “fabrication” or “lost wax” techniques and I like to combine these two techniques in the same design when possible. Fabrication methods start with metal, and additional techniques and materials are applied directly to the original metal base, then cleaned, buffed and polished.

By using the lost wax method of casting, I can create a more “sculpted” look with metal. Each of my “cast” pieces are first made out of wax and then encased in a plaster-filled flask. The wax image is melted (thus removed) in a kiln, leaving a cavity in the plaster that molten metal is cast into. After many steps of pickling, sanding, filing, buffing and polishing, the piece is ready for your enjoyment.

At the moment, I offer sterling silver designs on ETSY, when possible I also do custom work in both sterling and / or 14 k. (yellow) gold, upon request.

Artist History

Nels Nelson has been creating, displaying and selling original jewelry designs in national juried art shows and galleries since 1974. Though no longer exhibiting at these venues, Nels' jewelry has been featured in prominent national art shows and festivals throughout the country, including:
Ann Arbor Invitational Show (MI);
Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair (MI)
Cain Park (Cleveland, OH);
Gasparilla (Tampa, FL);
Kansas City Plaza (KS);
Lakefront (Milwaukee, WI);
Longs Park Art Fair (Lancaster, PA);
Midwest Festival of Arts (Skokie, IL):
Naples Invitational (FL);
Penn State Art Festival (PA)
Penrod (Museum of Art, Indianapolis, IN);
St.James Court (Louisville, KY);
Summer Art Fair (Columbus, OH);
Summer Fair (Cincinnati, OH);
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (LA);
Winter Fair (Columbus, OH).

Photos of Nels Nelson’s jewelry pieces have been featured on the covers of numerous show programs and media promotions. Her unique designs have brought national recognition and honors. Among her awards are:
Award of Excellence (Midwest Festival of Arts; Skokie, IL);
1st Place Metals (Arts, Beats & Eats, Pontiac, MI);
1st Place of Show (Upper Arlington; Columbus, OH);
Best of Show (Bronson Park; Kalamazoo, MI); and
Judges Choice Award (Cain Park; Cleveland, OH).

In the past, Nels Nelson’s work has also been exhibited in numerous galleries, including:
Avalon Gallery (Cleveland, OH);
Hanson Gallery (Houston, TX);
Langman Gallery (Philadelphia, PA);
National Museum of Women in the Arts (Washington, DC.);
Dell Mano Gallery (Los Angeles, CA); and
Washington St. Gallery (Ann Arbor, MI).

Nels has studied and completed courses in fine art and jewelry at:
Colorado Institute of Art(CO),
Kansas City Art Institute (MO),
Penland Crafts School (NC),
Ferris State College (MI),
Stewart's International School of Jewelry (FL), Western Michigan University (MI).

Favorite Materials

Metals, gems, agates, jaspers, sterling silver, gold, paper, findings, inks and paint