Artist statement: To create a fusion between traditional technique, innovative design and colorful gemstones.
Jeanne Rhodes-Moen is a self-taught jewelry artist working primarily with handmade sterling filigree, cast filigree and lapidary work (stone cutting). Originally learning the technique while living in Norway, she’s been able to adapt the traditional Norwegian technique to a totally unique style with more modern design and unique gemstones.
Jeanne first began with filigree work in 1988, while still at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. While visiting her fiancée in the summer of 1988, he taught her the basics of Norwegian filigree: cutting, shaping and soldering the wire components. She returned to the USA later that summer, invested in basic equipment and began her journey as a jewelry artist.
After her husband’s death in 2003, Jeanne moved back to the USA to settle in Asheville with her two children. In 2006, she published a book, Silver Threads, Making Wire Filigree Jewelry, bringing the nearly lost art of filigree to other metalsmiths. In addition, Jeanne has published two articles in jewelry magazines and plans to begin giving classes this summer. She is also a member of the Southern Highlands Crafts Guild.
For those unfamiliar with true filigree jewelry, each little segment of wire must be cut, hand shaped and then soldered into place with a torch
This time consuming and delicate work creates a beautiful webwork of silver scrolls around the gemstones she uses. Many of her gemstones are unique, hard to find materials including rare agates, gem silica, Peruvian opal, spectrolite and other fine materials.
In addition to finished creations, Jeanne does custom work as well. She also does jewelry photography for other artists.
