My name is Ruth Forman. Even as a child I always had some sort of art project going, I have studied art crafts, floral design, Interior Decoration, Garden Design, at private art institutes as well as at the School of Fine Arts in my native country, Costa Rica.

Formally trained as a Floral Designer, I taught the trade for several years in Costa Rica, before moving to Michigan with my husband, Terry, and my son, German in 1996. Once in Michigan, I continued furthering my training and teaching at various places.

In 2002, for example, I became certified by Donna Dewberry as a "One stroke Certified Instructor." A year later, I attended Ms. Dewberry's continuing Education Seminar to keep au courant with new products and techniques.

In 2003, I completed 150 hours of intensive decorative painting training under Priscilla Hauser becoming thus a Priscilla Hauser Accredited Teacher.

In 2004, I obtained my certification from Decorating Masters Institute as a Professional Faux Finishing.

My love of quilting and sewing wraps my life. I have been sewing since I was a little girl. I design and create purses by hand that are interesting, stylish and very organized, using beautiful chenilles, wools and cottons, velvets and leathers. They are a refreshing change from all the designer knockoffs that are everywhere. Not to mention one of a kind. Also, I'm known for my stunning floral and toile  quilts with very romantic tones that have restful  blending of prints and colors that are very pleasing to the eyes.

I am versatile in creating quilts that attract men as well as women.

I will  make custom quilts on request with premium ingredients and care.

Anita has been creating glass beads since 1997, when she purchased a kit from Lark Books, How to Make Glass Beads. Though the first beads she made were small and often not centered, she persevered, and thousands of beads later, Anita’s passion for lampworked glass is still going strong. Since those humble, self-taught beginnings, Anita has had the good fortune to study with several nationally known glass artists, such as Leah Fairbanks, Kate Fowle-Meleney, and Loren Stump.

While strong technical ability is important in her work, creativity is most often driven by color. Anita strives to find unusual color combinations, frequently inspired by nature, as in the subtle color of an agave cactus or the nuances of a polished stone. Many of Anita’s beads also employ manipulation of the molten glass, the encasement of gold or palladium leaf within the glass, or the application of metallic frits to a bead’s surface. Each bead, therefore, is in itself a miniature work of art that it is hoped the wearer will enjoy as much as the artist did in its creation.

We are a group of British born women who surprisingly met in Oxford, Michigan several years ago. We were drawn together initially through beading but bonded due to our love of art. Although our main focus today is our unique beaded jewelry, each of us has other skills such as knitting, sewing, crochet, painting, drawing, sculpting etc. These skills enable us to produce an eclectic mix of funky and traditional designs.

We are Debbie Angell, Gillian Nix and Alycia Dolan.

I began my adventure as a hot glass and jewelry artist in the summer of 2002. I am happy to honor my heritage as a jeweler's daughter in what I do...with my own twist, of course! My work features simple, classic lines using deep, rich colors. I rely heavily on the organic colors and textures of nature for inspiration. The result is often surprising and very satisfying as each piece takes on its own personality and becomes a wearable piece of art.

My newest endeavor is working with Art Clay Silver. The pieces that are crafted with this wonderful medium are 99.5% pure silver!

I have been painting since I can remember. Currently I am painting Fairy Doors (above photo) and other wooden items. I also paint animals, houses, flowers and other goodies on rocks and canvas. I co create murals, too. I work from my home in Metamora.

All occasion greeting and note cards. Handmade, embroidery on cards, and framed embroidery work.

Mixed media jewerly and fiber arts

From a very young age, I have always been drawn to the fiber arts. Whether it was my grandmother’s quilting or my mother’s knitting and crocheting, I was always fascinated by all things fabric and fiber.

As I made more and more pieces, I began to hear… “Oh my gosh, you should sell those.” So in October of 2001, I steeled my nerves and jumped in with both feet: I started Savage Fiber Arts.

I have been doing juried art shows in the Michigan area ever since.

All the crossovers between mixed media and fiber arts are so exciting. Recently I have been experimenting with the idea of incorporating repurposed items into jewelry. I am making necklace pendants out of domino gamepieces and hardware store washers. Then (because I can’t help myself) I add a generous helping of fiber to the whole thing!

When I am in my studio, I feel no sense of time or obligation. I only feel the need to express my ideas. There are times when it feels like I have more designs in my head than I have sketch books to fill. I felt a true freedom when I realized that I could add glass, metal, beads and other embellishments to my “fiber art” pieces.

What was long considered “woman’s work” is finally starting to receive the attention and merit that it has always deserved. This is such a wonderful time to be an artist!