I love creating one of a kind pieces of art to wear and am inspired by all things born of the Sea. I especially enjoy combining my skills and professional experience in Textile Design, natural stone cutting/faceting and metal working techniques to create techniques to create one of a kind treasures.  

 

  I am native of North Carolina and began learning the craft of spinning, weaving, natural dyeing and block printing at a young age. After completing a BA in Fine Art/Textiles from High Point University I developed a line of handwoven "Wearable Art" garments and exhibited through the American Craft Council Juried Shows as well as high end Boutiques in the Southeast and Southwest, US. Following several successful years,

 

  I earned a Master's Degree in Product Design and Textile Technology from North Carolina State University. During Graduate School I also included classes in Lapidary, learning to cabochon and facet precious and semi-precious gemstones.  My Master's Thesis involved Color and Light Theory (Refractive Indices of Gemstones and The Interaction of Light Waves on Iridescence Butterfly Wings) which resulted in recreating the visual effect through the inter-lacings with multi-layered textile constructions. This published Thesis was recognized by the Royal Society of Arts in London and I was awarded the prestigious Prince Philip Silver Medal for Excellence in Textile Design. Post Graduate studies also included The Textile Research Institute at Princeton(TRI) and  Galashiels School of Textiles and Design-Heriot-Watt University, Scotland.  

 

  Upon graduation I began a successful career in Textile Design Internationally, in the US, Europe, India, China, and the Middle East. During the next 25 years I continued designing and making jewelry and garments for personal use. While working in India and Asia I made significant contacts and began purchasing loose stones,( diamonds, precious and semi-precious gemstones). Soon the designs and techniques in Textiles and Jewelry began to merge.  

 

  In 2013 I left the industry and decided to pursue a new direction which was focused on exploring these media together as a full time Artist. The creation and use of adornments for the body is as old as mankind. Whether it be for ceremonial use or simple decoration, we use these objects to define or make a statement of who we are individually.

 

  My creative philosophy is that good design originates in nature and I find limitless inspiration from light and water.  Designing and creating beautiful objects of adornment brings me joy.

 

Bonny Calloway

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