Beth Millner grew up in Marinette, Wisconsin, just a few moments away from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She has been making jewelry for more than 20 years, the majority of her life. While in elementary school, Beth learned how to make knotted friendship bracelets, simple beaded designs and polymer clay beads. Once in middle school, she explored beading on a loom, sewing and abstract drawing. In high school, Beth began oil painting and working with beads again and started up-cycling her clothing. She only did one jewelry project as an assignment in high school, leaning to do simple lost wax casting of a pewter ring in a soup can. Beth has always been a lover of art and craft and was encouraged by her family members. After high school, Beth continued painting and began crocheting, recalled some of the previous skills taught to her by her grandmother. She also has a strong work ethic choosing to get a cooking and waitressing job at 15.
In 2002, Beth graduated from Marinette High School, moved out and did not have a plan. She was still creating artwork, making many oil paintings and crocheted hats. A year later she began college at UW-Marinette as an undecided major. Unsure of what an art degree would yield, Beth studied Sociology and Anthropology and took a trip to Mexico while at UW-Marinette from 2003-2005. She also was still exploring painting and had her first group exhibition of oil paintings at UW-Marinette. She was also beginning to learn wire-wrapped jewelry and dabbling in lamp-worked beads.
In 2005, Beth transferred to NMU to study art. At this point, she had very little experience with metals and most of her jewelry making skills had been self-taught. She began as a painting major and then quickly switched to jewelry after her first metals class with Dale Wedig. Beth traveled to Mexico again and was fascinated by the Silversmithing in the touristy jewelry shops. She was very dedicated to jewelry making while studying Metalsmithing at NMU. While in her last year of college, she quit her waitress position after seven years of various restaurant jobs and decided to start attending art fairs to sell her beaded, wire and basic soldered designs. She also began teaching wire wrapping at a local bead store. In 2007, she also opened an online storefront on Etsy, a website for buying and selling handmade. Her business was successful right away. Beth graduated from NMU with a BFA in metals in 2008 and has since become a successful independent artist with jewelry worldwide. Beth, and her partner Mike, recently bought a home in Marquette, MI and are happily settling here in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.Artist Statement
The ability to create miniature images in metal is fascinating. The thinness of a handmade line has always been intriguing for me. Natural elements and the subtle variations of a hand wrought design are a common occurrence in my handcrafted jewelry.
Each design is cut in metal with a hand held jewelers saw. Texture is made with hammers, handmade stamps and various hand tools. Patinas are carefully painted into details to create contrast. Every edge, corner and surface is also carefully finished. Recycled sterling silver, copper and brass are used to create this body of work.
Silhouettes from nature are inherent to my designs. By using figure ground reversal, the viewer perceives something that is only visually available because of it surroundings. Like nature, each part is dependent on the other for mutual existence.
Many parts of life and existence become available to our senses because of the environment they are in. Our surroundings help define who we are.
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(906) 249-8482
bethmillner@gmail.com
www.bethmillner.com
EDUCATION:
2008 Northern Michigan University
School of Art and Design
Marquette, Michigan
Bachelor of Fine Arts; Metalsmithing
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
2007—present Self-Employed Jewelry Artist - Fabrication of sterling silver, copper, brass and gold jewelry. Art fairs and gallery exhibitions. Marquette, Michigan
2007—present Workshop Instructor - Silversmithing Classes, Bella Beads. Marquette, Michigan
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION:
Board member of UP with Local, Marquette, Michigan
Member of Lake Superior Art Association Marquette, Michigan
Member of Michigan Silversmiths Guild Detroit, Michigan
Member of Sault Area Arts council Sault Ste Marie, Michigan
AWARDS:
2010 Best in Show; Hiawatha Music Festival; Marquette, Michigan ; jewelry.
2010 People’s Choice Award; Art for All; Menominee, Michigan; jewelry
2009 Most Promising New Artist; Award of Excellence 2nd Place; Art in the Park; Iron Mountain; jewelry.
2007 Best of Show; The Third Dimension, Northern Michigan University; Marquette, Michigan, jewelry,
2007 Best of Jewelry Award; Sault Summer Arts Festival; Sault Ste Marie, Michigan; jewelry.
2007 Best in Show, Hiawatha Music Festivals Artist in the Round; Marquette, Michigan; jewelry.
2002 Twin County Free Clinic Logo Contest; Marinette, Wisconsin; pen and ink drawing.
2001 Nature Conservancy Poster Contest; Marinette, Wisconsin; pen and ink; Second Place.
EXHIBITIONS:
April 2011 Seasonal Transformations in Metal, Reflection Gallery, Finlandia University;
Hancock, Michigan; jewelry.
March 2011 Solo Exhibition, Baby Cakes; Marquette, Michigan; jewelry.
2008 Student Exhibition, Marquette Arts and Culture Center; Marquette, Michigan; jewelry.
2007 Swan Song, Northern Michigan University; Marquette, Michigan; jewelry.
2007 The Third Dimension, Northern Michigan University; Marquette, Michigan; jewelry.
2007 Syndicate, Northern Michigan University; Marquette, Michigan; jewelry.
2007 Finite, Northern Michigan University; Marquette, Michigan; jewelry.
2007 Extrapolate, Northern Michigan University; Marquette, Michigan; jewelry.
2005 Student Exhibit, University of Wisconsin; Marinette, Wisconsin; oil paintings.
2005 Student Exhibit, University of Wisconsin; Marinette, Wisconsin; oil paintings.
2004 Solo Exhibition, Blue Moon Coffeehouse; Neenah, Wisconsin; oil paintings.