Road trip // Part Two!

Celie Fago in her home // studio. 

Not only has Jen become one of my great friends since moving to Vermont, but I (along with all of the women of Burlington) lust after her creations. 

Jen with Kiwi the smartest little dog with a million tricks! 

That's why I was so excited to have had the opportunity to visit the studio and home of Jen's mentor, Celie Fago. Jen lived and was an apprentice of Celie's for 9 years.  Jen prefaced me about how neat of an experience it was going to be. 

(left: lockets by Celie Fago; right: PMC earrings by Celie Fago)

Celie Fago is a teacher of PMC [precious metal clay] among other medias and is highly regarded in her field for her groundbreaking techniques. 

I love seeing other people's workspaces, but Celie's was incredibly inspirational. Sometimes, especially in the dead of winter, I really need an enlightening experience, and usually it happens when I'm not looking for it. Celie's house/studio is like a museum of things that have inspired her.

At every glance there is a something wonderful to look at.  

Celie Fago's colorful collection of beads

A roadtrip with a musician friend is what led me to Vermont for the first time just five years ago. It was just what I needed at the time. Where time passes just a little slower, and where people passing by take the time to smile and say hello. This is where I wanted to be. Easy though to forget how special a place is really is, when you get into the rhythm of everyday life.
For some reason, inspiration always tends to be tied into nostalgia somehow. And I immediately began falling in love with Vermont all over during my mini-road trip.

(beautiful stained glass in Celie's kitchen made by her father)

I loved Celie's carved twigs (pictured upper left) and also seeing a collection fresh off the trail that will become jewelry one day.

(left: commemorative locket right: beautiful peter pan collar necklace with pearl by ELMHarris) 

I met Celie's current apprentice, Erin, who also makes beautiful jewelry from PMC. She has a line of jewelry that could be worn for a special occasion or every day and commemorative pieces.

 Ah, such a refreshing trip! Thanks to Celie, Erin and Jen for allowing me to photograph them and their pieces.

For those of you who don't know of Jen Kahn's addicting jewelry, I am telling you that you must check her out. Her designs are perfection and there is a piece for every woman.

She's been killing it promoting her chakra line through a kickstarter campaign that launched last week.


I would highly recommend checking it out and making a pledge. Not only will you receive a beautiful piece of art, but you will be supporting a wonderful person as well! And don't we all love to support artists who just happen to also be nice people?