modernmuse61
by
r. melinda hoffman



"See the world through the eyes of a child" ...
with that perspective I see beauty and wonderment in even the most ordinary of things. Inspiration can come from admiring motherboards at the electronics store, sifting through broken car glass in the alleyways, to studying ethnic bead-work at the museums.

Each body accessory I design and make, is part of a very limited series and each piece is one of a kind. 20 years ago I started to scour flea markets, haunt hardware stores, and dig into yard sales to find hidden treasures. Using old fishing lures, antique keys, vintage bottle caps, chandelier crystals, outdated hardware, and other obscure objects,
I create pieces that have a unique story behind them.

The "Fishing Lure" Necklaces are made from old hand-painted lures probably (circa 1950-70's). I found them at an antique market in Sandwich, Illinois. Nailing in colorful vintage beads, buttons,
fishing paraphernalia, and incorporating old glass Mardi Gras beads.
I had fun creating whimsical pieces that are playful and humorous.

The "Hardware Series" was inspired from a recent trip to
the "All Bikes" Junk Yard in Rye, Arizona.
Filled with old bike parts and rusty hardware, it was a pickers paradise!
Combining rusty bike lock chains, bolts, sprockets, ball bearing parts,
with fresh water pearls, crystal rondelles, and glass beads,
I created a yin-yang of necklaces that are tough yet precious.

The "Latch Key" series is a throw back from my childhood when I wore my house key around my neck on a chain. Inspired by "motherboards" at the electronic store, I threaded colorful beads with sinew and wrapped them around interesting keys. Other pieces celebrate the beauty of my antique & vintage keys, whether they were for skates, padlocks, churches, houses,...or skeletons.



"forever evolving,
ever learning, yearning,
and restless for inspiration..."

 

Photography by Sylvia Hardt