Gale Schlagel

Professionally I have always worked as an interior designer. I have a BA in Art History and BFA in Design. I loved ceramics classes in college but not so much traditional silversmithing.

About 7 years ago I had my first exposure to PMC at a bead show demonstration. I was mesmerized. Periodically, I attempted to find a local teacher for a class. Finally, frustrated, in 2008 I found the PMC Connection Certification classes. I took Level I with Sherry Foutopolis in San Antonio, Level II with Vera Lightstone in New York, and Level III with Linda Kline of Florida.

Between Level I & II Certification Classes, in a magazine, I saw a reference to artist Debra Weld (debraweld.com) who lived in the area. I contacted her, and with her support, had pieces photographed by Larry Sanders in order to submit to magazines for publication. I am so grateful for Debra Weld’s encouragement to pursue PMC, and her guidance in learning Keum Boo.

I have named these pieces as a series called “Beginnings,” as I am also a beginner.

The lentil beads are first fabricated and carved. The ribbon elements are then applied. One is really a type of ‘bead holder’, of which I have made several.

One piece is a locket. In the Level III Certification Class my locket/box melted... I came home, remade the project and this one, to prove to myself I could do it.

I found that I really enjoyed design aspects that I could incorporate by working on a 3-dimensional plane like lentil beads.

Then I started playing with negative space and the inside of the lentil to add additional interest and dimension, like that which can be found in natural seeds, pods and shells. I continue to experiment with different elements and construction. For me the lentils represent “new beginnings” or “secret worlds”.

Who knows what we have inside waiting to be discovered whether it be new ideas or new talents. I am adding complexity and creativity to my new pieces.

I really like the responsiveness of the clay versus traditional silver smithing. The immediacy of the clay is intriguing...it’s just the clay, you and your hands doing the talking.

As a beginner it is my goal to continue to build inventory, executing the possibilities of different design concepts, and taking my work in new directions.

I enjoy teaching level one classes from just intro to 2 day classes... as well as classes in Keum Boo, box and hinge construction.