Artists
Dotty Ford
Renee Ziegler
Cheri Harte
Stacie Bird
Ruth Knowles
Jami Joelle Nielsen
Gloria Plosky Scaltz
Kersey Bradley
Donna Weldon-Shaak
Darlene Saylor
Sue Uhlig
Jacki Thomas
Linda Hale
Holly Foy
Christine Hill
Gallery
1 – Dotty Ford – The Timekeeper 200.
I went through my boxes of objects from garage sales, thrift shops, and auctions looking for “rings and things.” The works from an antique clock intrigued me, and this piece grew out of those gears and springs and weights. The final work inspired me to write this poem:
The Timekeeper
Who holds the keys?
Who rolls the dice?
He twirls those rings
And all the things
That hurtle us through space
Until he hoarsely whispers
“Time is up…”
01_ford_timekeeper
01 – Dotty Ford – The Timekeeper
artist’s mannequin, game pieces, keys, circuit board
02_ziegler_bagatelles
02 – Renee Ziegler – Bagatelles Nouvelles
reclaimed acrylic, playing cards, reclaimed copper tubing, pipe and sheet; printed cookie and tea tins; wooden and plastic game pieces; aluminum cans; broken silverware; discarded book; paper board; discarded cork; plastic food containers; leather; glass marbles; plastic toys; ink; sterling silver tubing and wire
2. Bagatelles Nouvelles by Renee Ziegler (POR)
I make jewelry: wearable, ornamental objects that adorn and celebrate the human body. Rings occupy a special place in the history of jewelry. They are artifacts of power, status, authority, rank, professional and religious affiliation. They symbolize love, belonging, fraternity, success, wealth and beauty. In folklore and fiction rings confer magical abilities; in real life they have concealed poison, state secrets, locks of hair and prayers. For many people a wedding ring is the only article of jewelry that they will wear throughout their lives. Rings always tell us something about their wearers, even if it’s just their personal sense of style.
As a craftsman, I am drawn to the act of fabricating jewelry as much as the aesthetics of precious metals and beautiful stones. These pieces—made primarily from repurposed or reclaimed materials from my home—challenged both my design skills and my ability to buildfunctional jewelry. All were designed to be worn, although some are more sculptural than functional. Each is sized to one of the most popular women’s ring sizes, ranging from size 6 to size 8.
3. Going Nowhere by Cheri Harte ($60)
During the time I was staying home during the pandemic, I saw my path of rings as a circle with no end. I was going nowhere and could not see when it would all end.
03_harte_nowhere
03 – Cheri Harte – Going Nowhere
nuts, bolts, embroidery hoop, keyring, rings, circles
04_bird_ringers
04 – Stacie Bird – Ringers On My Fingers
scrap wood from old hot tub, vintage glove stretcher, bells, safety pins, hardware
4. Ringers on My Fingers by Stacie Bird (NFS)
This was my second project and basically made from pieces I had been collecting for my first project. We had an extra month, so why not?
5. Radial Designs by Ruth Knowles ($100)
Ordinary objects become the “jewels” in an old jewelry box.
05_knowles_radial
05 – Ruth Knowles – Radial Designs
jewelry box, plastic and metal findings on burlap, embroidery floss
06_nielsen_moonshot
06 – Jami Joelle Nielsen – Moonshot
paper, plastic, acrylic on woodcut
6. Moonshot by Jami Joelle Nielsen (NFS)
This artwork incorporates themes of “the ring” with the raw wood’s “tree rings” representing the passage of time, and a ringed orbit around the planetary body. The plastic ring and layers of recycled paper represent science, sustainability, and is commentary on our next “moon shot”: the coming together to tackle climate change and other environmental issues.
7. Things Riding Rings by Gloria Plosky Scaltz ($1300)
Champagne corks, all dressed up for their big day at the amusement park. And, of course, everyone’s favorite ride would be the rings. The whole neighborhood can ride together. Some on the planes. A few on the slide. And everyone’s happy place the glow in the dark ball pit. So come join them. You can bring your skateboard!
07_scaltz_riding
07 – Gloria Plotsky Scaltz – Things Riding Rings
old beam, picture hooks, champagne corks, rusted metal garden fountain sphere, UPS bag, kitchen string, ammo shells, pallet wood, grilling gauge, candy wrappers, metal coat hangers, raffle tickets, credit card name, wooden furniture riollers, springs, Dad’s ruler
08_bradley_truth
08 – Kersey Bradley – The Ring Of Truth
accumulation of found objects over an extended period of time…say 9 months give or take a long and/or short while.
8. The Ring of Truth by Kersey Bradley
Just walking around as a troubled soul and picking up things that caught my attention and keeping what retained value for me when I emptied my pockets.
9. Car Parts #2, Circus by Donna Weldon-Shaak ($75)
My goal is to make a statement with recycled materials. Imagination is the key. Title is a hint.
09_weldonshaak_circus
09 – Car Parts #2, Circus – Donna Weldon-Shaak
car parts, fishing and household items
10_uhlig_evidence
10 – Sue Uhlig – Gathering Evidence
found objects, used packaging, thread
10. Gathering Evidence by Sue Uhlig (NFS)
I use packaging material and found objects to construct a narrative of hope, struggle, and fortitude. The show’s theme is inspirational in the design (some found objects are circles and rings) and concept (in thinking about parasites such as roundworm ringworm).
11. Shifting Gears by Cheri Harte ($75)
This pattern of rings reminded me of gears. During the pandemic, I have had to shift gears. I learned how to set goals I could accomplish at home. I feel my life will never be the same, but I will shift gears and adjust.
11_harte_gears
11 – Cheri Harte – Shifting Gears
doilies, fabric, felt, jewelry, keyring, buttons
12_nielsen_helix
12 – Jami Joelle Nielsen – Helix
paper, acrylic, woodcut
12. Helix by Jami Joelle Nielsen (NFS) HELIX
Layers of metaphor, and sustainability with a “rings” theme; from the choice of using a raw woodcut with its “tree rings” marking the passage of time, to the cyclical helix and ringed images and textures from obsolete recycled books/publications. All of which speak to conservation, a love of nature, and environmental stewardship.
13. Corona Novena by Stacie Bird (NFS)
A dear artist friend of mine passed away in January 2019. Her family sorted through her belongings and set aside many, many materials for her artist friends to adopt. I was looking for inspiration and literally found a basket of musical instruments that was almost all bells. The bracelet, bells and handmade paper all came from “Chez Harriet” as well as some of the buttons and the sequins.
I had decided when the theme was announced that I wanted to try to use a rubber glove as a mold that I could fill with “things” that I had been collecting for use in this annual show. I did a practice pour which failed miserably (good thing gloves come in pairs!) so I did have to purchase new hardener so the resin would set up properly. The resin is left over from a planter box project my husband did when they were building the Scanticon 20+ years ago.
The original base I had selected for this piece was the bottom of a round jewelry box turned upside down. Since we got an extra month I decided I’d like to do a proper Mexican nicho or altar for it and headed back to my husband’s scrap wood pile.
Harriet would want to see a ring on every finger, but otherwise, she’d give it two thumbs up!
13_bird_corona
13 CORONA NOVENA / STACIE BIRD
recycled or repurposed-scrap wood, rubber glove, bells, sequins, buttons, beads and other small items, a cigar ring, leftover resin, handmade paper, brass Indian bell bracelet, repurposed Day of the Dead lights, hardware, foam core
14_thomas
14 – Jackie Thomas – Tap, Tap, Tap
multimedia Fibers: coiling & twining; recycled materials: armature of metal plant stand, marble candle holder, “tap-bell”, tech cables & connectors, strips cut from old denim shirt, knit t-shirt stuffing, T-pins, upholstery trims; new: waxed linen, yarn, metal drain covers
14. Tap, Tap, Tap by Jackie Thomas ($334)
I asked my husband if I could have the bell I had given him to ring when he needed help after he fell and broke his leg and arm about ten years ago. The bell is the centerpiece of the sculpture and may be tapped to make it ring…………
15. Granddad’s Shed by Linda Hale ($200)
Repurposing found objects that were once of value for everyday work/chores and saved “just in case.”
15_hale_shed2
15 – Linda Hale – Granddad’s Shed
clay, single tree, rope, old tool parts
16_foy
16 – Holly Foy – Tin Can Alley Fairy Castle
Cans, jewelry, guitar strings, cookie-box plastic
16. Tin Can Alley Fairy Castle by Holly Foy (NFS)
At this year’s Philly Flower Show, I saw several wooden fairy houses. Walking through Center City later that day, I wondered how inner city fairies would construct their homes. This dwelling uses “rings” of aluminum and steel and “things” such as leftover jewelry findings and other found objects.
17. Full Circle by Darlene Saylor (NFS)
11 o’clock position on the ring: Washer eyes in gasket lenses, regard the clock face disc. Let’s hop on the dragonfly’s back, and we’ll fly with time. We travel the ring past the discs of sun at 12 noon and the moon at midnight. Green-ringed Saturn and 3 other planets speed around in their orbits as we get a bit dizzy.
At 3 o’clock we join a circle of old friends. Hands merrily joined, they pass though life with each other as their circle expands, a great gift, indeed.
6 o’clock is where a frog sits hungrily attempting to snatch the butterfly that has landed on its head. Each plays a part in the cycle of life, as do we ourselves. Our dragonfly zooms to escape.
Below the hungry frog, we hear a bell. The bottom edge of it is circular, but the circle has been extended into a tube that makes music with spiraling wind.
At 9 o’clock we feel the heat of the “Ring of Fire.” Whether exhilarating or frightening, it is always powerful. Our dragonfly is attracted to it, but although it is mesmerizing, we don’t want to get burned, as so many do.
In the center of spin are 2 rings, a promise of love that never ends.
17_saylor
17 – Darlene Saylor – Full Circle
barrel hoop, water pump, misc. old washers, threshold trim, wire bits, propane bottle, broken wrist watch, dragonfly scatter pin, generator armature, exhaust manifold gaskets, 60s Chevy seat spring
18_weldonshaak_balance
18 – Donna Weldon-Shaak – Car Parts #1, Balance
car parts, fishing and household items
18. Car Parts #1, Balance by Donna Weldon-Shaak ($150)
My goal is to make a statement with recycled materials. Imagination is the key. Title is a hint.
19. Contemplation by Dotty Ford ($100)
In math, as in theology, the circle is seen as the most perfect of all geometric shapes. Some symbolic meanings for the circle are totality, wholeness, perfection, the infinite, eternity, timelessness, cyclic movement and potential. It seemed quite reasonable then to construct a kinetic sculpture that allows the viewer to participate with the objects in a dance through space and time.
19_ford_contemplation
19 – Dotty Ford – Contemplation
embroidery hoops, rattan balls, bread board (all from garage sales and thrift shops)
20_hill_icloud
20 – Christine Hill – Ode To iCloud
flip phone, deconstructed paper lamp shade, feathers
20. Ode to iCloud by Christine Hill ($30)
When flip phones Die,
No need to Cry.
We can hear them Ring,
In the Sky.
21. Granddad’s Shed II by Linda Hale ($200)
Repurposing found objects that were once of value for everyday work/chores and saved “just in case.”
21_hale_shed
21 – Linda Hale – Graddad’s Shed II
hinge, wire, found parts of old tools