Printmaker’s Earrings - blue

washable paper, intaglio ink, oxidized sterling silver, vinyl coated stainless steel cable

2.75 x .2 x 1.25 inches

Jewelry is where concept meets adornment. An idea starts the design process, but the sensual pleasure of owning and wearing a desirable object is the end result. For me, jewelry is a way to integrate my background as a designer/problem solver with my love of printmaking and paper arts. I’ve had a long career as a illustrator/graphic designer/art director, and have a BFA in printmaking. To me, the qualities of paper - it’s feel, resilience, and malleability are as worthy as those of traditional metals and gems. I use the term paper loosely, some of my materials are actually polyester or polypropylene, along with traditional cellulose and cotton substrates. I print these papers on an etching press, on an inkjet printer, and hand paint and dye them too. I use traditional precious metals and jewelry fabrication techniques such as soldering and etching to complete my pieces.

Artist bio:
Alice Kresse lives in Bethesda, Maryland. She received a BFA (cum laude ) degree in Painting and Printmaking from Ohio University, and studied jewelry at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, DC. She worked for many years as a graphic designer, illustrator and art director. She now spends her time designing and making jewelry and making monoprints and works on paper.