Press Release
Charleston Crafts Gallery is spotlighting artists producing fine craft inspired by places they have been or places they hope to visit throughout the month of August. The Gallery will host an Open House in conjunction with Art Walk in Charleston, on Friday, August 4th, from 5 pm to 8 pm. Come out and imagine the “places you can go” with these artists.
Dan Diehl creates fully functioning hand cut wood jigsaw puzzles of his own design, from amazingly intricate one-inch pieces to whimsical three-quarter inch thick wood block cutouts, His puzzles are available unfinished or colored with nontoxic wood stains. Some of his puzzles are suitable for children, while others are fun, casual decor objects. Dan's featured puzzles for this month are playful encouragements to travel, for example his new World Map, his “Adventure” maps of the United States, as well as individual State maps for all 50 states.
Carrie Helmkamp makes hand-built, and sometimes wheel-thrown and altered ceramic sculptures that invite you to explore her quirky and whimsical world. Her fanciful characters take the viewer on a magical escape from reality.
Valerie Lamott creates handcrafted jewelry (above) for everyday wear using traditional metalsmithing and lapidary techniques. Heavily influenced by her time spent living in Japan and hiking all over the world, Valerie strives to create pieces that incorporate a minimal aesthetic and appreciation for the outdoors. She really loves sharing little snippets of these inspirational places and jewelry is a unique way to do that
Nancy Warren is a fiber artist and jewelry maker. Her jewelry designs incorporate fabrics, or techniques that were traditionally worked in fibers. Her Kumihimo jewelry pieces are inspired by the ancient Japanese braiding technique known as Kumihimo. These braids were often elements in a traditional Obi band or Kimono embellishments. Nancy's braids include beads of different sizes and shapes, rather than the multiple strands of silk thread found in the Japanese textiles. She makes necklaces and bracelets using this technique.
Recently relocated, the gallery is now just a few blocks from Rainbow Row and Waterfront Park. With over 30 of South Carolina's fine craftspersons, and looking to add more, the selection of artistic wares ranges from jewelry, apparel and accessories, to functional and decorative objects in wood, clay, glass and paper.
