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Beadkeepers Art and Jewelry Design Where ART and the ENVIRONMENT Meet
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Sacred Salvage - The Book
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The Artist
About Me...Karen McGovernArtist Statement: Art and nature are one and the same to me. You cannot have one without the other. My goal is to create art that represents this link and raises awareness and funds for wildlife conservation"When I moved to a remote town in Florida at the age of ten, my whole world changed and I became enthralled with wildlife, and wild art. With alligators in my backyard and wood storks in the trees, I embraced the natural world around me and never looked back."Karen McGovern is no stranger to wild living. Growing up in Florida wilderness shaped every aspect of her life. A career in conservation biology was almost pre-destined, and her work allows her to travel to Caribbean islands, African savannas, and Mexican jungles--not to mention living every day with endangered parrots, primates, and African antelope in the 38-acre wildlife preserve she calls home. Her work as an artist and jewelry designer directly reflects her deep respect for nature, and passion to preserve creatures living wild in the world. Recently featured in Step-by-Step Beads Magazine, Wellington Magazine, and the Palm Beach Post, Karen's work is noteworthy--she donates most of her proceeds to support wildlife conservation programs through the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation. Her latest endeavor is a themed series called "Sacred Salvage" that includes "Story Book" and "Poetry Piece" mixed media necklaces and lockets. The designs are created around original short stories and poems written by Karen which are included with each piece. Printed on parchment paper, these stories or "imaginings" as Karen likes to call them, are a delightful peek into her vivid imagination and are an obvious reflection of her passion for art, nature, mythology, and folklore. Each design is singular and unique, incorporating intricate hand made polymer clay pendants and beads, hand made brass and copper lockets, vintage photographs, antiquities, sterling silver, and found objects.A unique example of wearable art, many of her creations are offered with a wood and glass shadow box for display when not being worn.What People Are Saying:"Oh how I love this ring. It is more lovely in person than I imagined! The way you placed the wings is perfect. It fits like a glove. Thank you so much for doing this for me, I will cherish this ring always and I have already referred my nature loving friends to visit your shop/blog.""Incredible necklace-love, love, love it!""What a amazing and spiritual work of art. This artist can work with you to make an absolutely beautiful and personal piece!""Return customer. This pendant is so refreshing, and I love the intended meaning behind it.""Completely crazy about this necklace!!! It is so unique and stunning, and I love the intended meaning behind it. Karens shop is exotic, original and full of her fantastic creations. Visiting the place is like a treasures hunt, simply the best!"" LOVE this ring. The Sterling Silver is beautifully hammered. It fits my finger perfectly and smoothly. The colorful butterfly ring glimmers gently inside the large glass and silver bezel. I love it! It's my new favorite piece and I will definately be back for more!""Thank you for creating this custom piece for me! It is exactly what I wanted - and very quickly! Absolutely beautiful work!""Something unique and precious. Lovely craftsmanship from nature and you!"
Portfolio
Gallery01
Gallery02
Gallery03
Gallery01
Fallen
Slice
Beautifully Burned
Treasure
Hummingbird Island
And We Danced
Unearthed
Luna
Journeys
Fallen
Slice
Beautifully Burned
Treasure
Hummingbird Island
And We Danced
Unearthed
Luna
Journeys
Gallery02
DSCF0005-1.JPG
Grass Is Greener RIngs
Sound of Music
Innocent
Fallen
Decadence
Desert Dream
Knucklebuster
He Came Bearing Flowers
DSCF0005-1.JPG
Grass Is Greener RIngs
Sound of Music
Innocent
Fallen
Decadence
Desert Dream
Knucklebuster
He Came Bearing Flowers
Gallery03
Abundance
Sunset
BladeRunner
BFFs
UnEarthed
Kiddie Pool
Forest God
Green Valley
Ms. Merriweather
Abundance
Sunset
BladeRunner
BFFs
UnEarthed
Kiddie Pool
Forest God
Green Valley
Ms. Merriweather
Contact
Why, yes! I do love creating custom designs. Contact me and let's make something beautiful...
News Events Etc.
Appearances and Shows
Gallery Affiliations
Links and Whatnot
Fall/Winter 2011November 4 - Plum Gallery, St. Augustine, FLNovember 12 - Jewelry Palooza, Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery, Lake Worth, FL2012February 5 - Wild Things Art Show and Sale Benefiting the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, Pferdekamper Studio, Loxahatchee, FL
Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery Lake Worth, FLPlum GallerySt. Augustine, FLFlorida CraftsmenTampa, FLArt House AtlantaAtlanta, GAGallery 50Traverse City, MI
Objects and ElementsArtChix StudioOrnamenteaSusan Lenart KazmerRichard SalleyKeith Lo BueTessa Rickard CarpenterRobert DancikDesert TalismansMarlene TrueBound Earth Contemporary Jewelry DesignsMaria Perez Bastian - aka Queen of Tides
Sacred Salvage - The Book
Sacred Salvage
For a long time I have been writing short stories and poems inspired by unique elements I use in my designs. Antique tintypes, chatalaine charms, optic lenses, doll parts--even antique silverware--sparks my imagination and leads to a story. Sacred Salvage is a collection of these writings. Some heartbreaking, some heartwarming, and some downright silly, each story or poem is a peek into my imagination and design "process". I hope you enjoy them!Accompanying each story or poem is a mixed media jewelry design inspired by the text. Laid out as a photo book, the images are lovely to look at and the stories and poems are sure to inspire.The book is important to me as more than just a nice picture book. 100% of my sales proceeds will be donated to the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation in support of wildlife conservation. Art and nature are linked, you cannot have one without the other. So, I invite you to click the image here, and hopefully buy the book. Together we can help protect what remains of nature. Thanks!Karen
