Artist Intro - LaNelle Tadlock

Lanelle Tadlock is a jewelry artist, working in Silver fabrication and wire-wrapping.  She offers her work at shows across Texas, and of course, at Crystal Moon Gallery.

How did you get started in your art?

I've been doing creative things my whole life.  My dad taught geology and lapidary arts (gemstone cutting) at a local college when I was a kid.  I did bead work when I was in high school (too many years ago), and I've always loved fiber arts.  When my daughter was young, I did some heirloom sewing, which uses the same construction techniques as antique and couture garments.  Then in 2002, I learned about wire jewelry; it has a lot in common with lace-making and embroidery, particularly the coiled and basket-woven styles.  I was hooked.

What is your favorite medium/technique?

I hate to say it because it's such a cliche, but it's usually whatever is on the bench right now.  In the last couple of years I've added a lot of hammer texture to things, even wire pieces, and this summer I'm taking a class at our local club in chasing and repousse--using a hammer and punches to make a raised design in the metal.  I don't always know how I'm going to incorporate something new into designs when I start learning, but once I get my hands a bit dirty the ideas come flying.

What has been your most satisfying moment as an artist?

That's a tough one.  I think I would have to say it was last summer, when I finally got around to teaching a class in prong-setting stones with wire.  Seeing the students leave with a piece of jewelry they could wear or give as a gift and a technique they could incorporate in their own work made me feel like I had really accomplished something.

What has been the most challenging skill to master?

I think it was probably basket weaving with wire.  I worked on the technique for a couple of years off and on before I got clean, even weaves.  Even now I never go straight to silver or gold when I make a woven piece.  I make at least one practice piece in copper or brass first.  That way I can plan out the piece and work through any problem areas.

How much time and materials are required to complete an "average" piece?

That's a tough one to answer because I got really frustrated with the kitchen timer early on.  When I make fabricated pieces (the ones where I solder with a torch) I work on them in groups, so if I have a piece that needs to sit in a chemical bath I'm still working.  For the wire pieces, small things like earrings might take from 15 minutes to a couple of hours for prong set stones that I need to be extra careful with.  The basket-woven collar I did for the State Fair of Texas a couple of years ago took a week of solid weaving time.  I started from the center and wove each side as one continuous piece to keep it even and smooth.