Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and many of us are thinking of a sweet gift we can bring to a friend or a special family member. Somehow, jewelry always comes to mind as a simple but stunning gift.  I enjoy looking at the jewelry stands at the local art fairs, but in February for a special gift like that, I’d probably visit one of the local art shops or art centers. 

On Saturday, February 10, the Gallery on 5th in downtown Calumet will be holding a special Valentine's Day sale, with a discount on gift certificates, as well as hot beverages, Valentine’s fudge samples from Copper World next door, and free gift wrapping. The Gallery on 5th has an extremely wide selection of art for sale, including some very well-known local and regionally made jewelry. Kathleen DeLisle of Lake Linden has sold works around the Copper Country for many years. Her jewelry is quirky and bold, generally made of higher-end silver. Amy Forsell from Hancock is a familiar face at many local sales. Her stunning fabric and beaded designs are incorporated into large bold necklaces, extremely detailed and elaborate. Each is a statement piece that creates a striking impression. Robin Rastello, known for her whimsical acrylic paintings, has up-cycled vintage objects like antique spoons into jewelry, also available at the Gallery on 5th. 

A necklace by Julie Sandford was featured on the cover of the guide to the annual Tucson gem, jewelry, mineral, fossil, and bead shows. She is a metalsmith who incorporates gems into sculpted precious metal. She has a gallery and teaches classes in Grand Haven, MI., and has several pieces at the Gallery on 5th. One of the gems she occasionally uses is called Fordite, also known as Motor Agate.

Years ago in the automotive factories, cars were hand spray-painted, and the paint would build up on the tracks and skids. As the car bodies went into ovens to cure the paint, it was repeatedly hardened. Eventually, these multi-colored layers of paint became too heavy and had to be peeled off. Someone noticed how pretty they were and started marketing the material to jewelers. Now cars are painted with an electrostatic method, and Fordite has become a limited-edition treasure.

Johnny Gladstone has a sweet little workshop and store in the old parsonage associated with St. Anne’s Church, the Keweenaw Heritage Center on Scott St. in downtown Calumet. He creates copper and epoxy art with local rock treasures, including Fordite. His work is also sold at the Gallery on 5th, Copper Harbor, Eagle Harbor, and Fletchy’s Pictured Rocks Resort, newly opened in Grand Marais. His shop in Calumet is generally open during the summer, and for special occasions like the Copper Dog 150.

The Calumet Art Center in the Big Green Church hosts work by many local artists. You can get Valentine's cards and stained glass hearts by Bonny Lynn. Jewelers include Sherrie Thompson who is well known for her work with polymer clay and Jackie Ellenich (Designs by Jak) who works with copper, local rocks, and other natural elements. Julie Vasold has some lovely bouquets of flowers and butterflies skillfully cut out of discarded books. On February 10, the Calumet Art Center will be offering an indoor market, which is sort of like a small arts and crafts show.

Keith Johnson, a veteran and candy-maker extraordinaire from Hubbell, will be teaching a class at the Calumet Art Center on Thursday, February 8 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. For $35, you can make ganache-filled chocolates, worthy of a Valentine’s Day gift. Johnson has taught many candy-making classes both at the Calumet Art Center and at CAPE (the Community Alliance for Progressive Education), including ribbon candy and other depression-era hard candies.

If you’re looking for a chance to create a cool Valentine’s Day card, CAPE, along with the MTU Sorority Delta Zeta is holding a Valentine Jewelry Sale Fundraiser on Saturday, February 3 from noon until 4, and on Sunday, February 4 from 2 to 5 p.m.. You can pick out jewelry, package it nicely, and create a one-of-a-kind card for a complete gift for a special person in your life. There’s no specific cost, but they are hoping to use this occasion to raise funds to support the community work they do.

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