Jump on over . . .

Jump on over to www.facebook.com/entangledjewelry to see recent work and hear of upcoming events. Please "like" the page to get the latest!

But don't stop there. Visit entangledjewelry.indiemade.com. Read the story behind my jewelry and the answer to pressing questions, such as how to care for your Entangled pieces. The shop will open soon!

Where do I find the curious metal pieces for my jewelry? My husband Bob Wislinski is chief finder. He happily walks roadways and parking lots for exercise and to find raw material for Entangled Jewelry. Some days he happens upon a debris field and fills his pockets. But one morning this week, I made the find.

I finished my run that grey morning up the street and saw that the apartment bloc there was rubble. Smashed. Condensed to so little. Soon to be erased. I walked the front edge of the debris and marveled at the shattered structure. Finds perhaps? Of course! At my feet lay scattered workings of some electronic device. I happily scooped them up and walked the post-run cool-down stretch home.

The rubble.

The finds.

The choice find. Stay tuned to see what it becomes.

I'm featured in Columbia Living Magazine

Rachel Haynie penned an "art seen" feature in Columbia Living Magazine on my creative pursuits. I love how Rachel structured the article, citing the creative spaces I move through each day. In the photo accompanying the online article I stand at my table amid collections of findings, tools and my creations. An artist's soulful chaos!

Here's the link to the online article. Please check it out! 
http://www.columbialivingmag.com/outtakes

Photo by Jay Browne, From Columbia Living Magazine.

Found metal makings

Here are a few of the pieces I've crafted over the past few months using beautifully-surfaced found metal. I sorted and organized by collections during late summer. Such a tantalizing wealth of material!

Xs & Os: a recycled button and richly-textured found metal in playful combination. Recycled rollo chain.

Worn rounds: 2 found washers stacked with lovely road patina behind pitted ground. Brass chain.

Circles fit: a flange piece slips into place for this found metal pendant. Recycled sterling silver rollo chain and brass chain.

Mystery fittings: a play of brass and silver-tones; the brass hex piece caps a beautiful, unidentified piece. Recycled chains.

Arch answered: Found metal of echoing shapes connected with recycled links and brass rings. Brass chain.

Entangled Jewelry is now on Facebook!

Jump on over to Entangled Jewelry on Facebook and "like" the page! I'll be regularly posting new work as well as news. Here's the link:

https://www.facebook.com/entangledjewelry

new necklace set

I took advantage of a recent cool morning to photograph some new pieces. "Cool" is a relative term on a South Carolina morning, and means that you don't sweat when standing still in the shade. This new set recycles a found tire weight, copper wire of two gauges, copper pipe, snake chain, and cable chain. Only the earring wires are new.

Entangled still!

Delivered new work to Gallery West recently. Included was this necklace. Its pendant marries a nicely-weighted washer and flat piece, both found metal and nicely road-etched. The finds are wrapped with sterling silver half-round wire and hung on curb chain with a coiled link accent, all also recycled. Stop in and see at Gallery West, 118 State St., West Columbia. Click the link to go to the gallery's facebook page.

Mark you calendar for the Sustainable Holiday Celebration, Monday, December 2nd, 4:30 to 8:30, at 701 Whaley. Come shop for one-of-a-kind, handmade, sustainable gifts such as my entangled jewelry. Spare yourself and your Thanksgiving holiday from mall shopping mania. Shop local and sustainable! 

Here's a link to the event facebook site:
https://www.facebook.com/events/527985307291608/?previousaction=join&source=1

Metal makings

The supply of found metal on our city's streets is endless. Each finding is unique, but some are exceptional. These spark innovations and explorations with materials and methods. I love the creative demands. 

Trying new surfaces in these photographs as well. The light has softened with the change of season to a perfect "studio" setting. Autumn has brought a welcome lessening in the temperature too.

Metal works

I marvel at the raw material harvested from our city’s pavement: beautifully broken, folded, weathered, and abraded metal; automotive widgets and hardware whatnots; delightfully ordinary and curiously odd; discarded, lost, missed? I’d say found. These recently crafted necklaces incorporate particularly beautiful and unique metal findings.

the perfect twist: This found wire piece polished into a rhythmic copper wrapped beauty and is paired with copper and natural brass chain.

hex sculpture: This found piece was machined for specific function, and beautifully machined it was. Found hex nuts echo its facets. Recycled chain completes the ensemble. 

brass lashed in black: Leather cord joining found brass elements, recycled jet beads, recycled chain, and natural brass chain combine in curious yet classic style. 

tool cool: Machined for function this found tool piece is satisfyingly solid and pleasingly shaped. Its mix of metal is repeated with natural brass rollo chain and findings, and recycled chain and jewelry elements. The earrlngs likewise mix hardware, jewelry elements, and metals.

rounded brass: This trio of found pieces is perfect in combination. A brass key broken and worn hangs between 2 washers from a Freirich snake chain.

brass hex slip: For this statement in machined brass luster, a found hex nut and valve hang on recycled curb chain. The earrings recycle bar and curb chains, found hex nuts, and beads.

entangled still

Entangled jewelry is heavily into metal. Found metal. Below are new, one-of-a-kind assemblages that recycle found metal pieces: washers, hex nuts, widgets . . . indeed whatever works. Scuffed, abraded, and faceted by the elements and pavement, the surface patina on these finds is beautiful.  No lack of material. My husband pockets great stuff on every walk, and I, on most runs. 

The challenge of working with found metal is mechanics. How do I attach piece A to piece B? The solutions are as unique as the materials. And this inventiveness makes the process terribly addictive. Entangled still!

click image to enlarge

Of course I'm still working with buttons of all descriptions.

entangled: jewelry by Pat Callahan

entangled jewelry is as elegant as pearls and as unpretentious as buttons. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, well-crafted, and inventive, often repurposing found elements. It’s a lovely way to recycle.

click on an image to enlarge

Pearlescent. In this asymmetrical statement, small cultured pearls step the length of shimmery silk-cord braid to a ringed cultured-pearl cluster that counter balances two vintage carved-shell buttons. The necklace is 30 inches in length.

Milky way. On a length of silk-cord braid, small cultured-pearl dangles and a petal button dance against two large, milky-smooth shell buttons. This artful necklace is 32 inches in length.

Pearly pyramid. Simple white buttons stack to a sophisticated statement as the pendant on this 24-inch necklace. The recycling continues with the metal bead opposite one more button. Findings and chain are USA-made natural brass.

Sophistication in sage. A trio of fired-glass beads step from a vintage shell button to a serpentine pendant. This refined silk-cord braid necklace is 21 inches in length and pairs with serpentine dangle earring. Findings are USA-made natural brass.

Mixed medal fare. Delicate industrial chic, this 20-inch necklace mixes found metal pieces and chain, some recycled, some not, and some USA-made natural brass chain. The earrings swing with the same mix.

Sacred Heart medallion. This dramatic medallion is a never-to-be-repeated construction, combining vintage jet buttons, repurposed buttons and jewelry pieces, an antique rosary medal, and even a zipper pull. The rollo chain and findings are USA-made natural brass.

Deep blue beauty. One large and luxurious blue button underscored by a constellation of smokey glass beads and tiny blue buttons commands this necklace of 31-inch length. The offset, matching button floats on silk-cord braid as a blue moon to its mystical planet.

Wear a bit of whimsy. Glass beads skitter along a silk-cord braid between a robin-egg-blue Peruvian opal at one end and delightful polka dot bead at the other. A button-stack pendant completes this clever blue-green necklace, 32 inches in length. The earrings extend the polka-dot delight. Findings are USA-made natural brass.

Three in line. Small cultured pearls trim a silk-cord braid adorned with three mother-of-pearl buttons of ascending size--all just right. A ringed cluster of cultured pearls and a single Peruvian open hold center. 3.5 inches of natural brass chain bridges the braid ends for a total necklace length of 34 inches.

Mauve riches. A button-stack pendant hangs from luscious silk-cord braid as a simple lilac button stands counterpoint. The fire agate finale on this unique 22-inch necklace repeats in coordinating dangle earrings. Findings are USA-made natural brass.

winter garden photos

new entangled jewelry

I participated in the Artisans Fair at the Columbia Museum of Art mid month and garnered encouraging interest in my jewelry and sales. Every entangled piece is one-of-a-kind and most upcycle elements. I'm working with buttons of every description, stacking and combining them in ever more inventive ways. And I'm also fashioning intriguing constructions with buttons, metal pieces, jewelry elements, and hardware whatnots. Take a look!

Click on an image to enlarge.

First, new directions that recycled, reuse, repurpose, upcycle buttons.

Sophistication in sage:

necklace of braided silk cord with beads and vintage shell button woven in; matching earrings

upcycled vintage button, serpentine pendant, green garnet beads, natural brass findings

Rich to subtle dusty tones:

necklace of braided silk cord with upcycled button stack; matching earrings

upcycled buttons, fire agate, natural brass findings

Fun with color and polka dots:

necklace of braided silk cord with button stack pendant; matching earrings

upcycled buttons, various beads, natural brass findings

Circles upon circles:

necklace with button stack pendant below amazing ridged button; matching earrings

upcycled buttons and beads, natural brass chain and findings

New entangled constructions: inventive, clean combinations that recycled, reuse, repurpose, upcycle all manner of treasures.

Sacred Heart glory:

necklace construction with antique rosary connector, upcycled vintage buttons, buttons, jewelry elements, and even a zipper pull

upcycled buttons, rosary, and jewelry elements, natural brass rollo chain and findings

Mixed metal fare:

necklace with upcycled metal pieces and thin chain and other chain; matching earrings

upcycled buckle, bolt shaft, chain; natural brass chain and earwires

choker with repurposed hardware

repurposed hardware, pyrite ring, tiger eye beads, natural brass rollo chain