wren beadwork
these days are full of new exploration here at wren atelier. i’ve been combining vintage glass with semi-precious beads and soft deerskin to create necklaces for daily wear and support of your spiritual practice.
these days are full of a new kind of exploration here at wren atelier. i’ve been combining vintage beads, semi-precious stones and soft deerskin to create a series of new necklaces. these pieces can be worn as a daily adornments and/or in support of your spiritual practice. below are a few of my creations…click on each image to learn more
108 vintage venetian beads with a central pyrite bead to promote motivation, confidence and abundance, on the softest deerskin that wraps the neckline…once or twice
trees
My love of trees, of wood, comes from my maternal grandfather. He had a wood shop in his basement and while my scottish grandmother whipped up comfort food in the kitchen above, Gramps would whittle away his time downstairs, turning pieces of wood on his lathe, making bowls and lamps. He would help me build little houses, long before architecture was on my radar. Gramps also bought a piece of land on a salmon river where few other houses existed and built a cabin with his own hands. My childhood was spent there, beachcombing, running wild in the woods. My grandfather lived hard and died young, with my grandmother following just a few years later. I wish they both could have been in our lives longer. I see/feel them in my life and work. My hand printed black and white photos of nan’s kitchen, a batch of her gingersnaps warm from the oven. My graduation show with hand carved wooden ‘offerings’, and of course the architecture. Nan and Gramps...this series is for you.
notes from my studio
In the summer of 1997, fresh off a degree in Fine Arts, I decided to travel to Japan. Within a month of my degree in jewelry and photography I had a visa in hand and a plane ticket to Tokyo. I had long admired Japanese craft….
#002
Orb vase
with dried flowers
made from Japanese cedar
in Kirishima City, Japan
In the summer of 1997, fresh off a degree in Fine Arts, I decided to travel to Japan. Within a month of graduating I had a visa in hand and a plane ticket to Tokyo. I had developed a strong admiration for Japanese craft and design - the level of attention and spirit combined with years of perfecting technique. I’ll share my ‘first few months in Japan story’ another time…but what started as an adventure I thought might last a year turned into 4 incredible years of experience; breathing, touching and tasting as much Japanese culture as humanly possible. Those years living and traveling around Japan have indelibly influenced my life as a designer. When I started architecture school soon after my return I sought ways to bring a refined, Japanese aesthetic into my work. As an artist and architect, I’ve wondered how these worlds might fuse and if there would someday be a way to truly combine all of my passions. For years I thought my inability to focus on one craft, trade or profession was a disadvantage. But now, as I see packages arriving from Japan and my studio filling with beautiful shapes, scents, and textures, I know that my experiences and training bring richness. A richness that can apply to buildings as well as many smaller art forms. I look forward to sharing more with you soon.
p.s. due to the need for foundation work on our house, I have decided to postpone wren atelier’s soft opening for at least another month!
notes from my studio
wren tienda - early offerings
#001
wren tienda early offerings
i can’t believe it’s already the end of june! it’s been a busy year for wren atelier - figuring out how i want to run my business, doing a lot of research, and working on a few special architectural projects in san antonio and austin. over the years i’ve made smaller business attempts; a focaccia business during art school, a pen + ink greeting card business during summers at art school, and of course jewelry throughout the years. this time feels different…i’m finally combining all my passions under one (little) roof.
wren atelier is a small architectural studio + showroom with many beautiful objects from japan, finland, canada, mexico, and of course some local artists too. i can’t wait to share these items with you, and to gather with you to taste and learn about natural wine, mescal, and more. i hope to become one of your favorite places to seek unique gifts and i plan to curate special events for each season.
wren’s first event will be in about a month and will include a special theme around natural wine: 6 wines, selected and served up by josh thomas, friend and sommelier extraordinaire! stay tuned for more details soon 🙏