Learn More About VIVA’s Artisan Market Artists!
Robbie Brokken - Vintage Jewelry
Having studied art since I was 8 years old, my personal vision is familiar. I have worked in many materials but am drawn to 3-dimensional works;
Particularly sculpting and jewelry making.
I am strongly influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite period of art, and you can see this in my work.
I chose art nouveau, art deco and 1950’s elements together with classic freshwater pearls and gemstones to achieve an eclectic finished piece.
I feel my jewelry reflects whimsy, style, and humor. I hope as a result the wearer enjoys the fun and creative energy.
Jared Torkelson – Woodcarving
Jared lives outside of La Farge, Wisconsin where he fills his time homesteading and making things out of wood.
Andy and Jolene Rasmussen – Fused Glass
Andy and Jolene Rasmussen began their journey into glass fusing 12 years ago with a small kiln, some glass and a few basic books that were general guides on how glass behaved at various temperatures. With the beautiful Driftless area around Trempealeau, WI to serve as their inspiration a theme emerged focused on patterns and texture seen in nature and reflected within their glasswork. Starting in 2013 they began exhibiting at art fairs throughout WI and MN. In 2017 they began experimenting with the creation of their own murrini and millefiori in their studio through the use of a vitrigaph kiln. Their current work is fusion of their murrini, millefiori, twist and pattern bar creations into functional vessels and decorative glass imagery.
Mariella TerBeest Schladweiler - Helen’s Daughters Handbags
Sewing, crafting, and farming have been a huge part of our family’s life. Being creative has traveled back through our family generation to generation. “Helen’s Daughters” evolved from these family traditions. Helen was our Mother, she taught her six children about being creative, believing in ourselves, and having fun. My Sister, Char, and I started our handbag business in 1989. We named it “Helen’s Daughters” to honor our Mother. We both graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stout; nine years apart. We collaborate and share techniques we have mastered. We live in two different states.
Char’s studio is in Baraboo, Wisconsin and my studio is in Preston, Minnesota. Working with a forty – three year-old Viking sewing machine, I design and create upholstery fabric handbags. My “design aim” is to adorn them with unexpected details. I start with a sketch and then draft a pattern. I work with color, pattern, and blend a combination of fabrics, which develops into a unique look to the handbag. At the beginning, we wove our fabrics into small whimsical handbags. Soon after, we experimented with upholstery fabrics, we started making our “Helen’s Daughters Handbags.” Over thirty years, our handbags have traveled all over the world. Collected...treasured...and LOVED by all who own them.
Anna Loney – Metal
I’ve arrived at a way of working without doing so intentionally. It’s taken time. Work remains challenging and exciting to me. Something new is always around the bend. Ha.
My BFA was in printmaking from Carnegie Mellon University. But I like to joke that I always liked my metal printing plates better than the prints they yielded. So, I got to thinking, and realized I could return to the metalsmithing I'd studied in continuing ed classes at the Cleveland institute of Art. My teacher there was, Solve Hallqvist, a master silversmith. And I'd taken four years of instruction prior to pursuing that almighty college degree. It was invaluable experience.
I've now worked as a metalsmith for something around three decades. Projects have ranged from small to large, functional to purely sculptural, and even from the sacred to profane. Part of what keeps me going is that metal challenges me, and I've found a way of working that is my own. Using very traditional methods and ideas, I move metal to suit my notions of beauty, function, utility, and fun.
Born and raised in the industrial Midwest cities of Cleveland and Pittsburgh, I am now a proud resident of the Upper Midwest Driftless Region. And I find delight in our landscape at large and all its quirky little details, right down to the fossils that abound under our feet.
I live in Lanesboro, MN with my husband and two almost adult children. We all engage in art making of various sorts and collaborate daily in the craft that is our life.
Nic Smolen - Metal
I am an artist/blacksmith specializing in handmade knives and ornamental ironwork.
In the mid-1980s, I began creating forged Damascus steel billets and knife blanks for custom knife makers around the United States, as well as overseas. I combine traditional forging techniques with modern manufacturing processes to produce unique artistic pieces. I gradually progressed into making my own knives, as well as functional hand-forged ornamental ironwork. This includes candle holders, wall sconces, tables, and sculptural pieces.
Over the years, as my pile of knife making cut-offs grew larger, I turned to creating jewelry items such as pendants and bracelets. Now, I have included Mokume Gane (Japanese wood-grained metal) as part of my repertoire. While I use it primarily for knife fittings, it is also used in personal adornment, and fountain pen bodies. I make my own Mokume by layering copper and nickel silver, then fusing it in a gas forge. It is then patterned and forged to the required thickness.
I live in rural Westby, Wisconsin. I am also a welder, machinist, and journeyman tool and die maker.
Crystel Curley – Textiles
My name is Crystel. I live in Viroqua with my husband, my two children and two orange cats in a small house surrounded by gardens.
Gathering inspiration from flora and fauna, family and friends; I find great comfort in the creative process. There is an innate joy to bring a project to life - from the initial spark of an idea or a feeling, into the sketched out rough plans and finally brought forth by being created with my hands. It rings true with whichever medium I work with including cooking good food for loved ones.
My mother and I do some collaborating as we are collectors of words and wool. I have been steadily sewing potholders for twenty years though I have dabbled in quilting, pillow making, natural fabric dyeing, printing and mixed media pieces.
Sally Turner - Woven and Coiled Baskets
In 1986 my neighbor, an accomplished basket maker and member of Michigan's Potowatomi Nation guided me as I learned to weave a basket. I am forever grateful for her generosity of time and talent. Her words of encouragement resonate with me to this day. Doors to an amazing connective world of nature, culture, science, and art opened wide and welcomed me in.
My work represents an exploration of construction techniques using long leaf pine needles, tree bark and roots, plant stems and leaves, willow, and reed. True joy comes from time spent outdoors gathering materials to prepare for weaving and collecting various nature treasures to incorporate with either a functional piece or an art vessel. Repurposed jewelry and small heirlooms will sometimes find their way into my art.
Baskets, sculptures, and framed drawings of mine have been exhibited locally and nationally. I enjoy sharing my craft through weaving classes and presentations on the journey of my art.
