THE ART OF JEWELRY MAKING
Bev Mollberg
CHW Designs
Becky Steinhoff – Mystical Deva Jewelry
Barbara Robertson
Becky Seemann
Jodi Riesselman – Bijou
Whether accessorizing an outfit for work, special occasion, fun at the lake or everyday wear, there’s something for you!
Tyler Bakken
Tyler Bakken is a local Minnesota artist. She paints original art on canvases with acrylic paint. She also creates unique jewelry using glass beads and wire wrapped pendants. Making signs out of barn wood for home decor is also an art avenue she has taken. Art is her life and her mission is to create full time someday.
Shelley Nelson
Larry & Paula Jensen – Earth Eagle Forge LLC
As many artists will say, “creating art has always been my passion, even as a child”. Paula Jensen can’t remember a time when she wasn’t creating something.
She and Larry were married in 1991 and moved to Larry’s childhood home in rural Northern Minnesota. Larry supported Paula’s artistic endeavors while he worked as a welder. She continued to paint and sketch trying to sell her work locally, all the while being a parent and keeping house.
Larry began to ‘dabble’ in forge work in their garage, and tried convincing Paula to try blacksmithing as well. It took him 5 years of encouragement to finally convince her. She stated, “The man was right and I wish I would have listened sooner.”
As Jensen children got older, more income was needed. Paula got a welding job at a local manufacturing company. She learned more about fabrication and welding techniques. During that time, their daughter started an artist website for her mother that had Paula’s paintings and metal work displayed. The website led to inquiries about custom-made metal art. It was enough work that In 2001, Larry and Paula decided to start the business Earth Eagle Forge LLC. Larry continued to work as a welder/millwright mechanic while Paula would design and create commissioned metal art.
When there were no orders and kids were in school, Paula would use the time to develop new ideas. If the pieces were public-worthy, she would post them on the website or Etsy shop. Soon it became clear that when she created something unique, there would be inquiries for similar work. They started getting emails/phone calls from people all over the U.S.
In 2008 Larry was laid-off from his millwright position due to the plant closing. He had more time to collaborate with his wife in the shop.
Earth Eagle Forge LLC has grown over the years. They believe there was no “plan” per se, other than to create artwork and follow their hearts. They found if they create unique metal art, people find them. The Jensen’s continue to experiment and find new ways of creating, which in turn attracts clients that are looking for something different than a mass-produced item. Designing and creating one-of-a-kind metal art has been the backbone of their business. Their latest endeavor has been to cast in bronze using the lost wax casting method. They are now able to create wrought iron with bronze elements