PARTICIPATORY SPORT FOR CRAFT ARTISTS
Welcome to another edition of our Proudly Canadian Featured Artists. I'd like to introduce Amanda Delacruz. Her work is quite incredible and she's just started her journey.

Tell us a bit about yourself
I recently graduated from OCAD University’s Material Art and Design program where I majored in Jewellery and Metalsmithing but dabbled in just about everything else.
I like to see my jewellery on people but I also enjoy creating barely wearable, conceptual metalwork.
My work tends to be inspired by fragmentary, obscure type sentences that I come across in music and books, as well as the idea of growth and change under constraining circumstances.
What makes you tick?
I hate when I get work related injuries – especially when I’m in the mood to create or have a looming deadline.
What do you like to do when you are not creating things?
I like to wind down with a yoga class or read in the park with my puppy.
What gets you excited about creating new work?
Whenever I see a work of art/piece of jewellery that I find particularly inspiring, beautiful, or well crafted I find myself itching to get into the studio.
How has your education affected your creative process?
In my final year at OCAD University I worked on a yearlong, cohesive body of work. It was very intense and taught me how to reign in my ideas, to get to the core of what I wanted to express. I guess they taught me how to find clarity and focus in a sea of ideas.
Have you ever collaborated with another artist?
Not yet, but I have two people I have plans to collaborate with in the near future.
What's your favourite material/process?
Even though I’m mostly a jeweller, I think my favourite process is throwing on the pottery wheel. I find throwing very soothing and rewarding. I love how I can start with a clump of clay and in a few minutes I can have a vessel – an impossibility in jewellery.
Who has influenced you artistically?
I really admire the work of Andree Wejsmann, a jeweller who teaches at OCAD though I never had the pleasure of being in her class. When I first saw her work I loved how it was compelling, yet mysterious and vague, which is something that I’ve tried to evoke in my own work ever since.
Show us one of your favourite pieces you've created:
You try to take the best of me
(choker)
Fabricated, oxidized, sterling silver
2009
What's your favourite tool and why?
The hammer - it’s amazing in its versatility. I love how I can compress, move, smooth out, and apply texture all with the same tool.
Do you have any new projects on the go?
I try to always have something in the works. At the moment I’m working on several very different kinds of jewellery commissions. But I’m also trying to make new pieces for my production line as well as some new conceptual, wearable art type work to go along with my thesis works on secrets and the walls that accompany their keeping.
List your two favourite books, song/music artists, movies, and websites besides Crafthaus.
Books:
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Music artists:
Metric
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Movies:
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Inception
Websites:
http://thecarrotbox.com/news/index.asp
What advice would you give to other artists?
I would advise other artists to continuously experiment and explore every and any idea that they may have. It’s too easy to get discouraged in our field, to think that we’re not good enough, or that our work will not be appreciated. Just immerse yourself in your techniques and your ideas, and let them grow. Enjoy the process and don’t let your hesitation and anxiety keep you from starting something that could be great.
Thanks Amanda! You obviously have a beautiful attitude. I am sure you'll go far!
If anyone would like to be a featured artist email me at RicksonJewellery@yahoo.ca.
Rickson
Tags: amanda, art, artist, canadian, contemporary, crafthaus, delacruz, featured, jewellery, new, More…proudly, work
Permalink Reply by Amanda DelaCruz on December 9, 2010 at 8:51pm thanks again Rickson :)
Permalink Reply by Amanda DelaCruz on December 11, 2010 at 7:40am What's going on in the crafthaus community?
Become a crafthaus member today and get updates every Tuesday straight to your email!
View an excerpt of the recently published Humor in Craft Book:
Featuring 12 +1 images of humorous craft artwork from around the world and the artists' commentary about the role humor plays in their work.
Fun for all!
Humor in Craft Online Exhibition.
You can purchase a mug like the one on the cover image. Nice gift!
The book has a website where you can look up exhibitions and other events around the book:
Listen to a fun 30 minute radio interview with the author on the Eclectic Author's Showcase!
Brigitte talks about what it was like working with the artists and reads some fun excerpts.
I have always thought that the back of a jewelry piece is as important as the front. If you feel the same way, consider sending images of the front and backside of your brooches to Lorena Angulo asap. Lorena is looking for images to place in a future crafthaus online exhibition!
Crafthaus Project Grant Information
Australian Furniture Maker
Ross Annels receives 2012 crafthaus scholarship award.
Ross started blogging about his experiences on crafthaus!
NCECA Board member Sam Chung selected longstanding crafthaus member Kala Stein to receive the first NCECA/crafthaus Scholarship.
Kala has started her crafthaus blog: 2012 NCECA/crafthaus Emerging Artist Report!
Bifei Cao is 2012 SNAG/crafthaus Scholarship Recipient
A native of China, Bifei graduated from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, and received his MA degree at the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, before receiving an MFA in jewelry and metals program at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania under Lynda LaRoche.
Follow Bifei on his crafthaus blog :"Self-doubt: Crossing the boundary of culture with personal issues".
Posted by Brigitte Martin on May 17, 2012 at 8:38am 0 Comments 0 Likes
Colorado Metalsmithing Association presents:
::: CoMA Conference ~ Stop. Reflect. Illuminate. :::
When: July 20 - 22, 2012
Where: The Steamplant. Salida, CO
We think you will agree that we have some inspirational and…
Posted by Brigitte Martin on May 16, 2012 at 2:17pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
CustomMade is a marketplace for creating custom items in cooperation with North American-based production shops. Consumers come to CustomMade in search of fine custom jewelry including custom rings,…
ContinuePosted by R. Weis on May 15, 2012 at 10:30am 0 Comments 0 Likes
Here's "Spinning Steel" from R. Weis' CD "Excitable Audible" with an exploration of a sculpture by Atticus Adams. Two artists working with commonplace materials: Weis samples and composes with the sound of steel kitchen bowls and Adams sculpts…
ContinuePosted by Brigitte Martin on May 11, 2012 at 3:30pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
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