Meet the Metal Artists: Christine and Lori

We were in Philadelphia about a week ago, slushing around in a few feet of snow, attending the Buyers' Market of American Craft. This is always an important show for Maddi's as we place orders that carry us right through the year.

One of the most daunting areas of the show is jewelry. First, it is all wonderful. The artists' booths are beautifully designed and the lighting is great. And there is so much to choose! Pricey gold and diamonds? Or silver and sea glass? This is when we wish our budget was simply unlimited!

One booth we really enjoy is shared by two metal-clay artists, Christine Steel and Lori di Magno. These gals are both part of an Etsy team and their jewelry is lovely, reasonably priced and very fun, too.

Christine hails from the sunny city of Los Angeles. Her work is very refined and even delicate. Lori is a Massachusetts gal and her work is a bit more robust and ornate. They are pioneers in the metal-clay category, a medium which lends itself to so many styles and interpretations.

The Buyers' Market also sponsored a "Design Challenge" contest, where any artist or buyer could make a small display using specific art items that had been chosen by the committee. The contest went on for several days, but in the end, Lori had won it all! Everyone knows she has a great design eye.

Now when you stop in and see their work, you'll know the talented women who created it.

P.S. They'll do custom orders, too!