Last Friday, Associate Editor Anna Draeger and I attended the One of a Kind show in Chicago. The show floor was filled with a variety of handmade items, including furniture, clothing, accessories, and even food. And, of course, there was jewelry.

The jewelry ranged from classic to eclectic, but what really impressed me was the artistry and ingenuity of the pieces we saw. I was thrilled to see so many different materials used in such creative ways.

Some of my favorites were:
• Martha Collins’ wooden bangle bracelets. The mosaic patterns she uses reminded me of beadwork; both use little pieces to make a whole.
• Kathy Frey’s unique use of wire to add a sculptural element to her jewelry designs.
• Valerie Hector’s big and bold beaded beads.
• Christine Simpson’s collage-like mixed-media pieces.

We saw gorgeous jewelry using photos, resin, and felt, in addition to the many pieces that used more traditional materials, like glass, wire, and metal. If you are lucky enough to have shows like this in your area, I encourage you to attend. Seeing the creativity that other jewelrymakers put into their work can be a great source of inspiration.