Miele Melograno Artisan Jewelry About Artist

Biography

Art and PassionI want to start with a little family history... One day, as a child, I sat playing Cribbage with my grandfather. I asked him ... where he got his wedding ring from? That day I learned a story that would shape my life forever. My grandfather was a great man who provided for his eight children during The Great Depression. One of those children was my mother. But before all those mouths to feed he had to propose to the love of his life. He didn't have a lot of money but he had a lot of ingenuity and two silver quarters. He took those quarters, a nail and hammer, and set to work with an idea. First, he hammered the nail through the quarter. Then, as he rotated the quarter on its side (still impaled on the nail), he pounded the edge of the quarter with the hammer until it formed a flat band. After the band was formed he took the nail and etched a Greek Key pattern onto the surface... I still remember the shock of hearing how he made those bands with regular tools and two quarters. I never looked at a challenge as impossible from that day forward. ***Custom design doesn't have to be a rare thing. Before the Industrial Age almost every piece of jewelry was custom made. Many think that to get a custom piece it's going to cost more than buying a factory made piece in a store. That's not true in my case. I never charge extra to make a piece for you! If you are looking for something for everyday, for work, for someone else, or yes, for a special occasion ... Let your personal style show! My experience at Minneapolis College of Art & Design showed me an in depth way in which we could integrate our course work to everyday applications. There is no mundane. Having a background in Fine Arts and Art History, as well as, Chemistry and Gemology has been a great advantage in this field. Science enables us to see, feel and understand the challenges and techniques of making works of art. Through an appreciation of history we can find ways to make our modern world more skilled and kind to our environment. Ethics and Responsibility Ethics seem to be flying out the window. So, on every level, we are searching for truth. I have truth to offer you. I disclose all treatments to my gemstones and pearls. I prefer to use untreated stones and pearls. I do on occasion come across vintage or unused stock items, where treatments are undetermined, which I will detail the source and possible treatments if any. I use only recycled content Gold and Silver (as the refiner's alloys are proprietary) I am unable to receive a disclosed amount}. However, I have pieces which are completely recycled materials from my own refining/recycling process. In my workshop, I use natural alternatives to the standard chemicals used in jewelry making, such as a vinegar and salt solution rather than harsh hydrochloric acid. With the use of Argentium Silver I can eliminate the use of solder from many of my pieces. Argentium is a Sterling alloy that replaces the Copper traditionally used with Germanium (a sliver colored metalloid). Because Gremanium is a metalloid it is a semiconductor and enables pieces to be fused or welded. The implementation of hand finishing also consumes less electricity. I use recycled paper in all of my promotional materials and packaging. We are ultimately responsible for what we do. Therefore, I make it my choice to actively promote the Eco and Handmade movements. It is my great joy to offer you the works of my heart and hands.Sincerely,Liz RishavMrs. Elizabeth Rishavy,Artisan JewelerMinneapolis College of Art & Design