[Jewelry making - Article 01335] - Re: [Orchid] How did you come to be a jeweler?

[Lisa Bialac-Jehle]

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    Interesting question. Up until a year or so ago, I wouldn't have been
    able to answer that. 

    My father's brother is a criminal lawyer in Arizona. One of the few
    white men invited to practice on tribal land in Arizona and New
    Mexico. He also has one of the largest private collections of Native
    American art in the United States and is on the board of most of the
    major southwest and Native American museums in the USA. He is a very
    major collector. 

    Because of that, I spent summers and some holidays throughout my
    childhood on Indian reservations and pueblos throughout the
    southwest, participating in pow wows and cermonies. I was often left
    on pueblos, or reservations, staying with Native people and native
    artists, exploring and being taught how they do their work
    firsthand. I was essentially immersed in Native pottery, painting,
    weaving, sculpture, basketry, jewelry and other art. As a result, I
    have always made art in one form or another. It was always part and
    parcel of my life's fabric. I just never considered making a living
    at it. I always saw art, as.... just what everybody does everyday. 

    As an adult, I became a singer. I did that from 16-29. Lived in
    Europe for years and grew tired of that business. On my return, I
    took a class, and started making jewelry at about 32 as a lark. My
    boyfriend at that time was an art director on a tv show. I made a
    few earrings for him, and to my surprise, everyone on that show
    wanted some for themselves. Before I knew it, I was in production, he
    was on another show, they were buying everything too, and I was off
    and running. 

    It was only in recent years, that I recognized that my time spent
    among my native family, was the reason I do what I do. Although I
    had obtained degrees in design and in ceramics, (more native
    influence), I make jewelry full time. I have finally gotten around to
    incorporating some of the weaving, beading, carving, smithing and
    other techniques that I was patiently taught and surrounded with as a
    child into my work. It took me a while to get the message. In my
    early world, art was an everyday part of life. It was natural and
    necessary to engage daily in making things. You almost did it in
    order to be able to breathe every day. It has been interesting to
    retrace my steps and find that breath and life that I thought I had
    forgotten about so many years ago. 

    So...that's why I make jewelry. 

    Lisa, (Dog needed stitches today as a result of a disagreement with
    the other dog. The Red Cross just called and wants me to go back to
    Louisiana or Florida in the next three days, in anticipation of this
    next coming storm. I have had to listen to Katrina news for the last
    week, and probably for the next, so that the media can make money
    off of it. Its been a long week, and its only Monday. I now
    officially need a glass of wine.), Topanga, CA USA
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