Horseshoe Bracelet & Necklace Giveway!

Karen DeMarte is giving away 2 pieces to 2 winners!

The first, 4 Horse Shoes Leather Cuff Bracelet is made of fine quality soft chocolate brown leather. The cast pewter horseshoes piece has a hammered texture and has been oxidized, polished and shaped with a gentle curve.

And the second, Peace Love Horses Necklace is a round pendant with a peace sign cast in fine pewter. It has a hand hammered texture and has been oxidized and polished.

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HOW TO WIN

We are choosing (1) winner from the comments section here, and (1) winner from our facebook page.   Enter to win twice if you’d like!   Here’s how:  

• First, go to our *facebook page and click ‘like’.   Pretty simple 🙂 (*If you are on your mobile device, simply go here and ‘like’.)
  
• Second, answer this question in the comments section below ““ “Does the month of April bring any horse memories to mind?!”  

We are going to several Horse Expos & Fairs this month; perhaps we will see you there!   Enjoy an interview with the artist, Karen in the paragraphs below…

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Get to know the artist Karen DeMarte…

Tell us a bit about yourself/your art!

I taught art in a middle school for 12 years. I had gotten really tired of the school politics and found myself becoming completely uninspired. I was dreaming of making an exit. In 2007, my husband made a career change for the better and without much of a plan I decided I had to “jump ship” and save myself while I had the chance. It was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I work from my home studio making rustic jewelry in pewter and copper. I sell my work online and also do wholesale work.

Are you a horse lover or horse owner?

I’m a horse owner. I got my first horse when I was 12, but fell in love with horses and started riding when I was 3. Horses have been a constant in my life and I can’t imagine life without them. Unfortunately I lost my beautiful paint in November 2012 and I’m still heartbroken. My Quarter Horse was left behind without his buddy and he is my only horse right now. I enjoy trail riding.

How did you become a metal-working jewelry artist?

While teaching I participated in a pewter casting workshop with a group of art teachers. I had taken a couple jewelry fabricating classes in college but there was something about casting that fascinated me. After taking the workshop, I started playing around with different casting techniques and learning as I went along. I also taught myself how to work with a material called copper metal clay, those pieces are fired in a kiln and become solid copper pieces. As I learned more and became more confident in what I was doing, I began selling my work. I was very surprised to find that others were drawn to my rustic style.

How do your pieces come to life?

Sometimes I sketch out my ideas first, but I usually just start playing around with clay until I have something that I like. Sometimes the final piece is exactly what I had in mind when I sat down with the clay and sometimes it’s completely different.

Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve created?

I have 2 pieces that are my favorites, I made them when I first start casting pewter. One is a silhouette of rearing horse called Wild and Free, the other is a horse head silhouette called Morning Mist. I also make these pieces in copper.

How can people get a hold of you, see more of your work, and become a fan?

I sell my work at kdemarte.etsy.com. My email address is kjdemarte@gmail.com. I am not very social media friendly…. I don’t have a face book page, a twitter account or a blog. But I am very grateful for my wonderful customers who have posted their purchases on various sites and sent business my way.

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HOW TO WIN

We are choosing (1) winner from the comments section here, and (1) winner from our facebook page.   Enter to win twice if you’d like!   Here’s how:  

• First, go to our *facebook page and click ‘like’.   Pretty simple 🙂   (*If you are on your mobile device, go here and ‘like’.)
  
• Second, answer this question in the comments section below ““ “Does the month of April bring any horse memories to mind?!”  

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*We use Random.org to choose winners. All entries at HorseDigests.com are created equal. 😉 Entries close at 9pm (CT) Apr. 30th, 2013. Winners will be announced on May 1st.