Charleston Crafts Gallery to Present Piccolo Spoleto Craft Show

Necklace by Tammy Rudd

Press Release

To celebrate the Piccolo Spoleto Craft Show, the Charleston Crafts Gallery is spotlighting five of the artists showing fine craft in different mediums during Piccolo Spoleto. There will be an open house during the city’s Second Sunday, May 14th, event from 2 pm to 5 pm to highlight five of our talented artists. 

While these members are in the spotlight, the work of all the Gallery’s members are also on display and available for purchase, including jewelry, wood puzzles, encaustic paints, mixed media collages, apparel and accessories, fiber art plus functional and decorative objects in wood, ceramic and glass.

Tammy Rudd crafts intricate flameworked glass beads are the focus of these fabulous jewelry designs. To create these exquisitely detailed works of art, Tammy is seated before a fixed torch flame, using one hand to turn the molten bead on its metal rod in the flame, while expertly plying an array of colored glass rods with the other hand, meticulously forming the colorful and complex designs that make her work so distinctive. When the design is completed, the bead is slowly cooled for hours in a specialized kiln; a process called annealing, which hardens the glass and makes it very durable.

Dan Diehl produces fully functioning hand cut wood jigsaw puzzles of Dan’s own design, from amazingly intricate one-inch pieces to whimsical three-quarter inch thick wood block cutouts, available unfinished or colored with nontoxic wood stains. These pieces are suitable for children, and as fun, casual decor objects. In addition to his woodwork, Dan is an accomplished painter and sketch artist, and his work in those mediums can be seen at his website.

Gini Steele a third-generation knitter, Gini has always had a fascination with fiber. Learning the art of knitting from both her grandmother who created exquisite, original Fair Isle designs and her mother who made beautiful garments for the family, she has always had a project or two in the works. Gini has a passion for the texture and colors of the beautiful fibers that are available today. Inspired by the colors of the Lowcountry and the paintings of the Impressionist Movement, she has created a series of one of a kind contemporary scarf, wraps & bags.

Sharon Wilson creates limited edition, one-of-a-kind jewelry, often incorporating natural gemstones, pearls, vintage elements and metal work. She recently added freeform electro-etching on sterling silver. Sharon strives for a pleasant balance between manmade elements and the restrained elegance of nature’s beauty.

Anne John creates decorative and functional art pieces; wheel thrown from porcelain and stoneware clay bodies. Anne distinguishes her work with the addition of finely detailed decorative elements, such as realistic hand sculpted birds, organic forming and shaping, and precise placement of glaze applications. Her pieces are fired in a reduction gas kiln, which takes the oxygen out of the air inside the kiln and allows her to achieve vibrant hues in her red and shino glazes. Her work is whimsical and unique. 

Charleston’s destination for Fine Craft since 1989, the gallery is located at 84 Society Street, just steps from King Street, in the city’s shopping, cultural and dining hub. The gallery is now open Monday through Sunday, 11:00-6:00 and staffed by its friendly and knowledgeable member-artisans. Charleston Crafts Cooperative Gallery is a dynamic community of more than two dozen jury-selected artisans, and all are from South Carolina, making this the city’s only exclusively local craft gallery. For more information: 843.501.7522 or www.Shopcharlestoncrafts.com. 

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