Nancy King Cornett of Au Sable Designs

I come from an artistic family and was often surrounded by art and music.  But artistic interests of my younger years were replaced by the demands of schooling and career. I started out as a biology teacher then went for a masters in technology, ending that phase of my life as the Technology Coordinator for a southeast Michigan school district. It was a job I loved for a long time. While I wasn’t producing art, I still got to use my creativity in many ways. Ask any educator.

When the job morphed into something I no longer loved, my husband and I made the exciting but scary move “up north”.   He grew up in Roscommon and we’ve had a part time place here for over 20 years.  We’ve been here full time for since fall of 2008. We made some changes to accommodate year-round living, including adding a jewelry studio for me. Life is very different here in our lovely cabin in the woods, and it’s exactly what we both needed. Who’d a thunk? 

Our woods is located on the South Branch of the Au Sable River, hence the name of my jewelry business: Au Sable Designs.   I spend a lot of time by the river and in our woods.  Iam inspired and energized by the nature around me.  You’ll often see this reflected in the natural and organic feel of many of my pieces. 

 While I enjoy the color beads add to jewelry, I use them more as complements to my metal work.  I love to take a piece of sheet metal or wire then bend, torch, wrap, fold, antique, polish, and hammer, hammer, hammer.  I am always ready to learn new ways to move metal.  Each new tool or skill inspires me to branch out in different directions.

In addition to creating by myself, I’ve discovered I really enjoy creativity with others. 

Being associated with the AAV Gallery has given me the opportunity to find many artistic friends in my new northern home.  Teaching jewelry/metal classes in my own studio and at the AAV gallery is another way I get to work creatively with others.

 I offer my jewelry and metalwork through my online jewelry shop (www.ausabledesigns.etsy.com), at art fairs, and in the AuSable Artisan Village Gallery. I have also had my work featured in Wire Jewelry magazine.

Life is good!

 

Copyright 2012 AuSable Artisan Village