The Little Black Box

Meet Our May/June 2011 Sponsor

Many thanks to Strega Jewellry for sponsoring our May Boxes! I am very excited to share Lee's interview with all of you! According to her shop, "Inspired by family, nature, fantasy novels and my own spirituality, I love creating with wire, beads, stones, and metal clay."

So, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of iced tea and join us as we get to know Lee and Strega Jewellry a bit better!

What is your "Real Life" name?

Lee Koopman

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a lively Aries lady who lives in a house by the river, owned by a dog named Sadie and a cat named Nosey. I raised 4 children as a single mother and now that they are grown, I have time to create and do things I love to do. Well, a little time anyhow. I have grandchildren and two great grandchilren and love to spend time with them. I work a very mundane job, volunteer in the Ohio Reads program, helping children who are having trouble learning to read. Before the Riverbend Art Center closed, I taught in the ARISE program there, working with children from ages 7 to 14. What a challenge to find jewelry projects for such diverse ages! I've also taught in the after school program at the Dayton Art Institute. These are the jobs I loved, but budget cuts have taken them from me and the children.

Currently, there is no time to set up at fairs and shows, so I am trying to develop an online presence. It's a lot of work to maintain a blog which has jewelry tips, trends, and works in progress, to tweet, maintain the Artfire store and a Facebook business page. I also love to podcast. I had a popular podcast for over a year but had to stop and focus on family and my Artfire store. I have plans to begin broadcasting Salem Avenue once again in the fall.

What is your favorite color?

I love all shades and nuances of purple, wine, mauve.

What are your two most and least favorite movies?

I love movies like the Lord of the Rings and the Green Mile.

What are you reading right now?

I have fallen in love with James Lee Burke and his homicide detective from Louisiana and am reading the Tin Roof Blowdown. His character, Dave Robicheaux is a mess, stuggles with alcohol addiction and anger issues. He's a good cop/detective and Burke's descriptions and plots are so great! Tin Roof Blowdown takes place during the Katrina hurricane.

What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?

The first thing I ever remember making by hand is a knitted square. Mrs. Remonda, in third grade, made us all learn to knit, even the boys. We each had to knit a square, then she put them all together for a blanket to send to a soldier. I love to knit. My grand daughter, Jessie, says "Mimi, you are a knitting MACHINE!"

Why do you create?

When I was a young girl, in high school, the art teacher made me feel like I wasn't creative because I couldn't draw (still can't) by his standards. I went through years of feeling something missing, admiring things others made. I create now because it fills me. Without creating, there is a hole in my spirit that can't be filled. I believe that everyone has some creative talent. Once they find it, their general happiness is easier to find. Making things makes me feel good inside.

What inspires you?

Nature inspires me, the feeling of freedom when I watch birds and other creatures, the awe of growing things and rushing rivers.

Fantasy books inspire me. I fall in love with a character and just HAVE to make a piece that reminds me of that character or a scene. The Dark Zone pendant is one such piece. I was reading Karen Marie Monning's Fae Fever and became "obsessed" with the shades. When I found this piece of Picasso marble, I just shivered with the thought of the shades in this book.

I'm also inspired by life situations. I am sending pictures of my "survivor hearts". I have lost both a son and a son-in-law to homicide. My family was torn by these losses. I became involved with Citizens Against Homicide. Parents of Murdered Children was such a big help to me. I support both groups.

Grief from losing a loved one leaves a hole in your heart that can never be filled. This heart pendant is crafted from lightweight aluminum wire and woven with similar wire and 4mm beads. The weave and the beads symbolize the love and support of family, friends, and spirit.

I made the first one in black for a homicide survivor. I've since made them in purple for those who lost someone in the military, in brown for those who lost someone to cancer, blue for suicide and in silver color for death by natural causes. I recently made one in silver for a mom who had lost twins and used beads in their birthstone color. If you want a custom order, you have only to email me and I can do it.

What are your favorite materials?

I first learned to wire wrap and love wire but I find that I am perhaps not talented enough to fully express myself with it. I love metal clay. I have freedom to boldly go where I want.

Where can we find you online?

Artfire Shop ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Blog

Here a few examples of Lee's work...

Click on photos to go to the listings in Lee's shop. From top to bottom and left to right:

1. Dark Zone wire wrapped pendant

2. Vlane metal clay pendant

3. Blue Star earrings

4. Survivor Heart Necklace, Silver

5. Survivor Heart Necklace, Black