Shop Maine Craft presents…
REFUSE REIMAGINED
NON-TRADITIONAL MATERIALS IN UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS
A solo exhibition featuring Erica Schlueter at the Center for Maine Craft in West Gardiner.
On View: September 2nd – October 25, 2024
Shop Maine Craft Presents REFUSE REIMAGINED by ERICA SCHLUETER. This remarkable showcase blends artistry with sustainability, presenting a collection where upcycled and recycled papers and plastics are woven into intricate, eye-catching creations. Erica’s exceptional skills in fine metalwork jewelry further elevate the exhibit, merging texture and form in captivating new ways. Join us for a unique exploration of how artistry can reimagine refuse into something extraordinary.
So many plastic chip bags, so much plastic in the environment, what to do? Stop eating chips? Certainly not!
Erica Schlueter pushes the boundaries of transforming everyday waste into thoughtful creations. With an emphasis on design and pattern, she meticulously converts chip bags, coffee bags, envelopes, and chocolate bar wrappers into intricate woven pieces. Each artwork is presented in a recycled frame and redefines the value of materials that would otherwise be discarded, revealing their hidden potential. Erica is a jeweler by profession but enjoys exploring her creativity by expanding beyond the medium to utilize recycled materials in different capacities.
Reimagining ways to upcycle that go beyond the norm, Erica merges her jewelry expertise with her passion for non-traditional materials. Featured in this upcycled collection are a variety of charms which incorporate small intricate details of the product it once was. These handmade charms not only elevate what was once considered waste but also tell a story of transformation and creativity, celebrating the beauty found in the discarded and overlooked.
Erica Schlueter’s jewelry designs seamlessly weave together over 25 years of experience with textiles and fibers that shine through her business, Bent Metal. Her creations are grounded in metal techniques that employ rivets and embossed fabric textures in sterling silver, without the use of solder.
Schlueter employs a tiny crochet hook, reminiscent of those used by Victorian women to craft intricate lace. In many of her designs, a silk crochet chain replaces the traditional metal chain, forming the central structure of the piece.
By integrating traditional fine needlework into her jewelry, Schlueter honors the craftsmanship of past generations and the timeless techniques practiced worldwide throughout history.
Visit the Center for Maine Craft:
288 Lewiston Rd West Gardiner, ME 04345
Open Daily, 9am – 6pm
(207)588-0021
center@shopmainecraft.com