Langhorne Pennsylvania artist Arlene Freed brings a new life and interesting curves to handcrafted jewelry. A juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen for the past 15 years, Arlene is also a member of the Online Chapter and the Bucks Chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild.
With a Fine Arts degree under her belt, she went back to school when her two sons were 2 and 3 to get a BA in Advertising and Design. Her 20 years as a graphic designer greatly influenced her design sense which she has brought to her unique jewelry line.
Arlene has developed a process of combining different mediums…fusing, fabricating and texturizing the metals and sometimes incorporating handpainted silks.
This process using handpainted silk was developed with her sister, a fine artist and silk painter. One evening talking long into the night they put their heads together and came up with an idea where they could combine their talents. At 3 am the silk concept was born! (It took a year and a half of research to develop a way to prevent the silk from changing, or loosing it’s color, when imbedded in resin, as well as how best to create the bezel.)
All metal work is done first, then cut pieces of handpainted silk are placed in the handcrafted bezel and resin is used to fill the bezel. Each piece is then sanded and polished for a silky smooth gem.
She distinguishes herself as a “Jewelry Artist”, not a jeweler. Arlene says, “ A jewelry artist takes more chances .We’re freer with our designs, use of color and materials”.
I think what strikes me first looking at Arlene’s work is her use of color…the textures and richness of the stones she chooses, the subtle tones of the handpainted silks and how it all works together. You know her work the minute you see it……the mark of a designer craftsperson.
In her own words: “The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen has allowed me to express myself through my art, and to present it to others in the community,” Arlene said. ” I have also made so many friends within the guild, that have become like family.”
Married to her husband Stan Freed for 25 years, Arlene and Stan are involved in ex racer greyhound Rescue. They share their home with Smurf and Rosie, two beautiful greyhounds with a taste for remote controls and cordless phones. Also joining the family is Smoky the cat.
Arlene has an active show schedule. You can see her work at the following shows:
Wheaten Village October 3 and 4 http://www.wheatonarts.org/
Sugarloaf Gaithersburg Show Oct 9,10 and 11 http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/
Morristown Kiwanis at the Armory Oct 16-18 http://www.morristowncraftmarket.org/
Tyler Craft Center Show October 23 to 25 http://www.ec4ta.org/
Sugarloaf Somerset Show Oct 30 to Nov 1 http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/
Sugarloaf Oaks Show Nov 6 to 8 http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/
Pennsylvania Guild Show at Manheim November 14 and 15 http://www.pacrafts.org
Sugarloaf Gaithersburg Show Nov 20 to 22 http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/
Lancaster, Pennsylvania Trunk Show
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