Help End Abuse for Life (HEAL) and The Nest receive generous donations from the community on a regular basis but this week, the organization has been granted a unique gift from a skilled artist.
Lifelong metal smith and jewelry creator Janet Alexander has chosen to donate a specially crafted piece to the women’s domestic violence shelter.
Alexander, a published author and 20-year veteran of the jewelry industry, was contacted by PMC Connection of Dallas with an enticing offer. The company wanted to promote its new product, metal clay, and was looking for artists to help. Each of the five artists was directed to choose a charity to receive their respective creations. In the wake of her recent relocation to Ruidoso and because of her personal passions, Alexander chose to work on bracelet that would be donated to the Nest.
The process is simpler than what one might expect in working with regular metal. Rather than hammers and molds, Janet Alexander has been able to create metal jewelry with less traditional tools, like playing cards, modified dental hygiene gear and her bare hands. The clay has allowed a fine level of detail without the frustration of traditional casting.
The bracelet itself has been created with 100 grams of sterling silver metal clay provided by the sponsor. It is made from many smaller pieces and includes several detailed symbols. The outer edges are raised to represent the mountains in and around Ruidoso. On each piece, there are two hands, which represent community, togetherness, and support. Each pair of hands cradles an amethyst, which was chosen because purple is the color of HEAL & the Nest’s domestic violence awareness campaigns and also because the stone itself represents the inner strength of the survivors who find hope and create better lives for themselves.
Further, the width of the bracelet begins smaller and grows wider as it continues. The pairs of hands follow a similar pattern, being spaced more widely. As the stone travels through the community, the grip on it loosens, as it is ultimately released and allowed to be free, rather than crowded.
The bracelet is currently traveling to faraway lands to be photographed by the sponsors. Ultimately, those interested in admiring Alexander’s handiwork up close will be able to do so at this year’s Empty Bowl Event in October, when it will be auctioned off to one lucky member of the public. Further, the story of HEAL and The Nest will be published, along with pictures of this remarkable bracelet, in national publications.
Help End Abuse for Life would like to thank Janet Alexander for her beautiful contribution and priceless support of The Nest, its survivors and its mission. She has created a piece that shows when we come together as a community, there can still be beauty in even the darkest of situations.
For more information about Janet Alexander, her work or her workshops and classes, go to janetalexander.net.
Pictured is Janet Alexander in her studio.
