Profile picture of Theresa Zahner

Theresa Zahner

About Us

About Our Art

I was raised to believe handmade gifts meant more. They took extra thought and effort. It was Christmas of 2015 and I was all set to make dishtowel aprons for everyone in my family. My sewing machine decided it was time to retire and I was at a loss for presents as it was already November. I had a box of bead and some craft wire and started scouring the internet for ideas.

I found found people that made jewelry by weaving wire. I watched a few tutorial to get the basics and set to it.

My first pieces were made with craft wire and plastic coated bead and were not great, but they were well received and I was encouraged to continue. Many tutorials and sore fingers later, I began to develop my own flow. While I do some work with silver, I prefer working with copper. I like the warmth of the metal, the way it has a mind of its own.

Some pieces start out with a plan, but plans change and evolve into something unique and beautiful.

Working with wire as a medium has been an adventure. Size constrains of smaller pieces force me to employ simpler techniques. There’s more room to experiment with larger pieces. Finding balance, grace, and beauty is the goal of every piece.

For me it’s not about accenting a stone with some wire, it’s about the wire itself. The different weaves, wraps, swirls, and loops make it interesting. I see the stones as accents to the wire.

My first pieces were made with craft wire and plastic beads and were not great, but they were well received and I was encouraged. Many tutorials and sore fingers later, I began to develop my own flow. I prefer working with copper. I like the warmth of the metal, the way it has a mind of its own.

Some pieces start out with a plan, but plans change and evolve into something unique and beautiful.

Working with wire as a medium has been an adventure. Size constrains of smaller pieces force me to employ simpler techniques. There’s more room to experiment with larger pieces. Finding balance, grace, and beauty is the goal of every piece.

For me it’s not about accenting a stone with some wire, it’s about the wire itself. The different weaves, wraps, swirls, and loops make it interesting. I see the stones as accents to the wire.

My pieces typically begin with choosing a stone, some are wire only. I build a frame for the stone out of thicker, stiffer wire for stability. Rarely is there a plan beyond this. I start to add wire, different sizes and shapes, and start making the woven elements that are lashed to the frame as I go to hold the stone securely. Once the stone is secured, additional woven elements are added: coils, basket weaves, patterned weaves. They are decorative and add to the stability of the piece.

I began Mrs Z Jewelry because I love the way woven wire elements can be joined together into a unique piece of jewelry. Using an organic flow, I add individual wires and very tiny woven wire to a frame made of stiffer wire until I have an interesting negative space, the stone is held securely, and the entire piece is stable. Incorporating several different weaves adds depth and endless variety. Un-coated copper jewelry does require some care.

Juried Artist/Studio:

Theresa Zahner

Email Address:

mrszjewelry@gmail.com

Awards and Honors

Webster Arts Fair 2019 Award of Excellence