Please join me as I kick-off the holidays with the awesome artists here at METRO Art Studios in Bridgeport. Come celebrate and check out our new spaces this Saturday!
HOLIDAY MARKET @ Metro Art Studios Saturday, December 4 12 to 4pm
Toastthe holidays with Prosecco in my studio (#201) Visit The Galleryat Metro for our first show Books on the Verge Shop for creative and unique gifts in the artists’ festive studios.
METRO Art Studios is located in the historic Crown Corset factory building on Railroad Avenue in the South End of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The three-story building is being meticulously renovated to accommodate fine artists in 38 studios. The grounds will include space for outdoor performances and a public art garden featuring murals and sculptures by local artists. The Crown Corset factory, built in 1907, manufactured corsets, hoop skirts, and other foundation garments. The 500 mostly female workers of the factory walked out in August 1915, joining a strike of garment workers in Bridgeport that led to all American workers having an 8-hour work day. The creativity and productivity of the building lives on with the vibrant and thriving arts community that now resides within its walls.
There are 40 brilliantly creative artists here at METRO Art Studios in Bridgeport, and we’re ready to show off our new spaces as part of the Bridgeport Art Trail.
Metro Art Studios Grand Opening! In the Gallery (studios by appointment only) Friday, November 12 4pm – 6pm
Bridgeport Art Trail Open Studios Saturday & Sunday,November 13 & 14 10am – 5pm
It will be great to see you again!
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KRISTIN MERRILL
METRO Art Studios Studio #201 345 Railroad Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604 203-589-6995 cell www.kristinmerrill.com
studio open by appointment Parking is onsite or along the street.
OPEN STUDIOS: Saturday, November 13, 10am – 5pm Sunday, November 14, 10am – 5pm
METRO Art Studios is located in the historic Crown Corset factory building on Railroad Avenue in the South End of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The three-story building is being meticulously renovated to accommodate fine artists in 38 studios. The grounds will include space for outdoor performances and a public art garden featuring murals and sculptures by local artists. The Crown Corset factory, built in 1907, manufactured corsets, hoop skirts, and other foundation garments. The 500 mostly female workers of the factory walked out in August 1915, joining a strike of garment workers in Bridgeport that led to all American workers having an 8-hour work day. The creativity and productivity of the building lives on with the vibrant and thriving arts community that now resides within its walls.
I am so excited about my new studio, and I can’t wait to show you! There are 40 brilliantly creative artists here at METRO Art Studios in Bridgeport, and we’re ready to show off our new spaces.
I’m available now by appointment, or come visit during these upcoming events:
November 13 & 14 Bridgeport Open Studios 10am – 5pm
December 4 Holiday Market at Metro Art Studios 10am – 4pm
It will be great to see you again!
KRISTIN MERRILL
METRO Art Studios Studio #201 345 Railroad Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604 203-589-6995 cell www.kristinmerrill.com
studio open by appointment Parking is onsite or along the street.
METRO Art Studios is located in the historic Crown Corset factory building on Railroad Avenue in the South End of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The three-story building is being meticulously renovated to accommodate fine artists in 38 studios. The grounds will include space for outdoor performances and a public art garden featuring murals and sculptures by local artists. The Crown Corset factory, built in 1907, manufactured corsets, hoop skirts, and other foundation garments. The 500 mostly female workers of the factory walked out in August 1915, joining a strike of garment workers in Bridgeport that led to all American workers having an 8-hour work day. The creativity and productivity of the building lives on with the vibrant and thriving arts community that now resides within its walls.
Mixed Media Fresh Water Pearl, Driftwood and Antique Nail Necklace
Not for the faint of heart, this mixed-media necklace combines edgy and classic to create a style all your own. An antique nail pierces a piece of pebbled driftwood, a large freshwater pearl sits atop a cluster of woven wire — all hanging from a stunning 20″ beaded pearl necklace. Made by Connecticut artist and sculptor Kristin Merrill, the pendant measures 6.5″ x .75 and is sure to turn heads!
Make a gift of your life and lift all…by being kind, considerate, forgiving, and compassionate at all times, in all places, and under all conditions, with everyone as well as yourself. This is the greatest gift anyone can give.
DAVID R. HAWKINS
From my family to yours…wishing you kindness, compassion, peace and love this holiday season and into the new year ahead.
Then, visit my online shop to browse a collection of my original jewelry and sculpture pieces made with sterling silver, semi-precious stones, pearls, driftwood and found objects.
Now more than ever, it’s time to support small business and local artists. So remember: shop small, shop local on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday!
WISH LIST SPECIAL 20% OFF All Jewelry Valid now through November 29 (WISHLISTSPECIAL)
FREE SHIPPING On All Jewelry Orders Valid now through November 29 (FREESHIP)
Kristin Merrill
NEST Arts Factory, Studio #18 1720 Fairfield Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06605 203-589-6995
Studio open by appointment or virtually using Zoom/FaceTime
ABOVE: Charlotte: Dancing In the Clouds of Another World made with sterling silver, amber, snake bones, pearls, fresh water pearls, beach plastic, citrine, labradorite, and an antique porcelain doll.
Don’t miss NEST Arts Factory’s two-day, immersive multimedia studio experience during the Bridgeport Art Trail, November 14 & 15.
Join me live this Saturday, November 14 at 2PM for a virtual tour of my studio, a sneak peek at my new work, and interactive questions and answers. Plus, I’ll be trying on some of my work so you can see how it might look on you…or as a special gift for a loved one!
Kristin Merrill Live November 14 @ 2 pm (zoom.us Meeting ID: 842 8566 605 and the number 7, Passcode: 18599 and the number 3)
See something special? All of the items you’ll see are available for sale on my website and there’s FREE shipping during BAT weekend
Join me live on Saturday, November 14 at 2PM for a virtual tour of my studio, a sneak peek at my new work, and interactive questions and answers. Plus, I’ll be trying on some of my work so you can see how it might look on you…or as a special gift for a loved one!
Kristin Merrill Live November 14 @ 2 pm (zoom.us Meeting ID: 842 8566 605 and the number 7, Passcode: 18599 and the number 3)
See something special? All of the items you’ll see are available for sale on my website and there’s FREE shipping during BAT weekend
I’m starting a series of interviews with some of my favorite artists about their work, their processes, and their inspiration. First up is sculptor and jeweler Kristin Merrill. She makes the most sublime organic pieces of art – both to wear as jewelry and to display as wall sculptures. See more of Kristin’s work on her website.
Please describe your work, what do you make? I create jewelry and sculpture from sterling silver, semi precious stones, pearls, driftwood and found objects. While I like to keep my work organic, I still use traditional metalsmithing techniques.
What is your favorite tool or supply? My 26 year old torch.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received in your art career? Take your time and plan. Leonard Urso, my metals and jewelry design professor in art school, taught me that if you take your time and are precise in your craftsmanship and design, you have the potential to create exceptional work. I am passionate about my work and can sometimes be impatient with tools and materials. I need to remember this advice and to slow down.
What advice would you offer a new artist? Start small but think big. You don’t need a lot of space or materials to be creative. I spent years with a small jeweler’s bench in my bedroom.
How do you work through creative blocks? I’m lucky because I work in two mediums. If I am stuck on a sculpture design or idea I can turn to jewelry and vice versa. My favorite thing to do when I have a creative block is to fuse scrap metal together in a painterly way. It is quick, fluid and makes me instantly feel creative. I also look through my library of art books and visit museums for distraction and inspiration.
What inspires you? I’m madly in love with Picasso’s 3 D artwork again. We share the same birthday. Other jewelers and sculptors inspire me.
What do you listen to in your studio? Arcade Fire, The Last Shadow Puppets and Radiohead are my favorites right now.
What new projects are you working on in 2017? I am very excited to focus on sculpture and one-of-a-kind necklaces this year. I plan to use the lost wax casting process for the sculpture and would like to create larger mixed media necklaces. I am also hosting workshops and classes in my studio at Nest Arts Factory. I think this will spur even more creativity in my work!
Thank you for sharing with us, Kristin! You can see more of Kristin’s work on her website and find jewelry to buy at her etsy store.
Fly, Peter, Fly is my favorite new work. I created it thinking about my brother Peter, who actually looked like this doll when he was a child. He’s closer to home now, recently moved back to Connecticut from Kansas City, Missouri. I adore Peter — he’s quirky and amazing, and deserves a chance to soar to new heights, to fly, fly,fly!
MATERIALS: fresh water pearls, labradorite wings, and a found spike ring compliment this penny doll from Germany dating to the late 1800s. The spike ring was found on a dirt road by the seaside. It had been run over many times and now has a new life, as does the doll. Sterling silver clasp.
