Blair LaBella [1981, Ceramics]
Blair designs one of a kind pieces, predominantly using beach stones she has collected along the Atlantic shoreline, setting them with fine and sterling silver. Gold is used occasionally. Stones are cut in half and individual bezels made for each then grouped in clusters and solder connected to form both 2 and 3D pieces from bracelets to neck pieces and earrings and rings. In addition to the beach stones, Blair has a line of pieces that are made with roadside gravel and pavement, fragments of the yellow line of the road to be specific, which was inspired while under lockdown during the initial stages of the Covid pandemic. Since she couldn’t collect at the beach, the roadside was the inspiration at hand.
Recently the addition of torch fired enamel pieces have been incorporated into the designs adding an additional element of interest and diversity. Blair’s pieces are made solely by her hands alone, from initial collecting of stones to finish polish.