Patti Burton

About Patti Burton

I am a jewelry artist working in silver, gold, copper, brass and precious and semi-precious stones.  I combine my metalsmithing skills with my beading and wire wrap skills in the creation of art jewelry.

I began my studies in metalsmithing in 1999, taking classes through local artists, community programs, and workshops through the Clear Creek Academy of Jewelry and Metal Arts.

ARTIST STATEMENT:
My art has recently been described as “poetry in motion”, which seems to encapsulate what I strive for my jewelry to represent.  It is through my art jewelry that I make a connection with people, whether it be through the incredible stones I work with, or the words, stories and poems, which are stamped into metals.  I am inspired by the studies of Dr. Masaru Emoto, who published a series of books on his studies of how water crystals change with spoken or written words, and how thought and emotion affect our physical realities.  There is nothing more satisfying to me than when a piece I make, makes a connection with another person, who finds their inspiration or happiness through my art.

Image 1:  The Title for this piece is “SWEET DREAMS”, which is also stamped into the back of the Fire opal pendant.  The Mexican Fire opal is set in sterling and 18K gold, and has purple and green amethyst with art glass bead drops.  The necklace’s chain is hand constructed using Australian opals on sterling silver.

Image 2: “Gilded Heart” is a three level panel necklace, which is constructed using soldering and cold connection techniques.  The heart is made of fine silver and 22K gold Precious metal clay.  The chain and drops are Vesuvianite, Garnet, Topaz, Emeralds, Rubies, Peridot and Citrine.  This piece is currently showing in a gallery in Boulder.

Image 3:  The center cross has a Light Mexican Fire Opal, which is the “heart” of this piece, and the words on the opposite side say “HARMONY”.  This is very typical of my work, in which pieces are built around a theme, and have a story to them.  This piece is also influenced by my last 5 years in Mexico, where the cross is a very strong and prominent symbol.  They are not intended as a religious statement, but by the equal-lengthed crosses, represent the equality between men and women, a symbolism which pre-dated Christianity.

Image 4: “Hope is a thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops -at all…”.  This piece has the complete Poem “HOPE” by Emily Dickinson stamped into one side, with a collage of silver and gold, which spells out the word “HOPE” on the reverse.

Image 5:  I combine my metalsmithing skills with my love for beads, in creating one of a kind necklaces.  The central drop, ring and clasp are all handmade, and become the frame of this piece which is constructed with Aqua Marines, Morganite, Prasiolite, rose quartz, tourmaline, topaz and prehnite.