News
Fall Into Fine Craft
October 22, 2014
Fall Into Fine Craft is presented by the Yellow Breeches Chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. The show runs 10-5 Saturday, October 25 and 10-5 Sunday, October 26 at the Carlisle Expo Center, 100 K Street, Carlisle. There is a $5 admission and with that admission comes a $5 coupon and door prize drawing.
I support YBC and volunteer for them regularly, including my current position as treasurer. I am excited for this show as it is our group’s show. I am also thrilled to present our YBC Team Challenge Projects! Earlier this year, members were given the option to participate in a Team Challenge: get put in a team and work together to create something in the established theme. This year it was “earth, wind and fire.” My teammates were Debbie Cornman (painter and engraver) and Kim Swenson (beadwork artist). Title: TerraPyrAer
This nightlight sculpture is a collaboration piece between Debbie Cornman, engraver/painter; Richelle Dourte, metalworker; and Kim Swenson, beadwork artist. Immediately, we knew we wanted to take a fairly literal approach to the “Earth, Wind, Fire” theme, while incorporating both movement and utility. Debbie carved the meticulous geographical detail in the gourd, and the waves of the ocean serve as a path for the light to shine through. Richelle focused on the celestial aspect to represent wind with a moving mobile above the planet, incorporating chasing and repoussé and a repurposed bullet casing. She formed the wooden base and copper flames that surround the internal light, representing fire and the heat of the earth’s core. Kim’s woven tapestry of space surrounds the base of the piece, and a three-dimensional star and planet also float in outer space, above the earth. Together, these artists created a work that incorporates individual style while stretching the knowledge of their mediums. This piece was designed and constructed to be functional as an accent lamp with an elemental story.
Vote for our piece at Fall into Fine Craft and we could win free membership next year! Below are a few photos of what we created.
Here’s my write up on the YBC blog:
Richelle Dourte is the talent and imagination behind metalledwith, a lovely one-woman studio in Boiling Springs, PA, where she creates jewelry and teaches metalworking classes.
Though I have been a dabbler since I can remember, I first incorporated tiny pressed leaves into copper jewelry when creating gifts for my wedding. I have collected little leaves since childhood, the effort is just more concentrated now. The initial popularity of the “eastern woodlands” original botanical jewelry surprised me, and I set up as a sole proprietor called metalledwith in 2010. In the time since, I have continued to learn additional metalwork techniques. Earlier this Spring, I made the leap to full time status as an artist. My previous career was in land conservation biology, and I still keep ties with a local land trust, Manada Conservancy. 
Richelle’s work begins with metal, often in sheet or wire. Although she has a series of favorite shapes, increasingly her work is more about letting the form flow freely.
I do not know the end form until it creates itself. I let ideas ripen in stray thoughts until it feels right.” I know that’s a terrible way to describe idea-getting, but I think it’s much like any avenue people pursue. Sometimes the solution just hits you.
One of the things that makes Richelle’s work is special because it holds little pieces of Pennsylvania.
The opening of leaf buds in early spring is such a special and short time of year. It’s ephemeral. Before we know it, it’s summer then fall again. My work almost captures that promise of spring and new growth. In the process it teaches us about the trees that make up our unique landscape by name.
Richelle, who is also our Yellow Breeches Chapter Treasurer, will be at Fall Into Fine Craft with over fifty other fine artisans, so mark your calendar today! You can see more of Richelle’s work at www.metalledwith.com, on our Gallery page at www.ybcrafts.org and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/metalledwith.
