Cone 6 Designs
Cone 6 Designs is a shop that combines art and skilled craftsmanship to create quality objects that are made to be used, not merely displayed (although many items are good for that too!). I work hard to be original, use my own designs, images, and photographs. I care about how my business impacts the environment. That is why my studio is powered by solar panels, and I re-use packaging materials. I pay attention to where my supplies come from and that means I use other quality art businesses or Etsy shops for my supplies. Many of my items such as buttons and cabochons are designed to complement your own fiber art or beaded creation, to enhance it and provide the final touch to your handcrafted work of art. I love the idea of being a collaborator in your creative process as well.
Art has always been a part of my life. I am fortunate to be the daughter of a ceramic artist and a respected scientist. I began as a ceramic artist, receiving my Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of Connecticut with an emphasis in ceramic sculpture. I later found and fell in love with enamel, which is also a kiln fired material. Enamel is formulated to be fired onto copper as glaze is formulated to fire onto clay. Now I use both clay and copper, and I use many of the same techniques to add images to very simple and elegant forms. These designs are meant to be simple and soothing to look at and touch. I pay attention to the texture of a glaze or its color. I spend time experimenting with glazes and fine-tuning glaze recipes and firings to achieve the look I am after. I use many techniques in my work. It is exploring techniques and applying them in new ways that interests me. Recently, I have been photographing insects and botanicals at different gardens, museums, and insect collections, and using those images to fire onto my enamel buttons, earrings, ceramic ware, urns, and cabochons. In addition, I use a technique where I cut detailed stencils and use them to block out areas of enamel, then the copper shows through and a line is created where the enamel meets the copper. I then fire a transparent enamel over this so that the image below can show through. Additionally, I sandblast enamel to make a matte surface, which when combined with a shiny surface creates its own contrast image.
In addition to being a studio artist, I also work in the art department of my local community college. In the past I have taught art to students of all ages in schools as a classroom art teacher and in community art schools. I continue to teach occasional workshops.
Cone 6 Designs was originally operated by myself- Sherie; with the help and support of my mother- Judy, it was inspired by my mother’s career as a ceramic artist and her love of fiber arts. Although I was the sole owner and founder, she and I conceived of and worked together on the idea of Cone 6 Buttons. I later changed the name to Cone 6 Designs to incorporate my expanding inventory of products. Judy passed away in 2014, but her inspiration continues to support me as I work.
