Julie Sanford is an award winning metalsmith, creating fine art jewelry in the West Michigan area for over twenty years. Her work is featured in galleries, books, magazines and museum stores. With a background in art education, Julie now spends her time as a full time jewelry artist, teaching nationally and at her studio in Grand Haven, Michigan.
Julie’s education includes a degree in Art Education from Western Michigan University, studies at The Kalamazoo institute of Arts, Oxbow Summer Institute of the Chicago Institute of Arts and Kendall College of Art and Design.
"I became interested in the art of jewelry making at an early age, my father was a silversmith and lapidary artist. Working with the materials and developing skills as a jewelry artist gives me a sense of closeness with him.
My work is hand fabricated using various hot and cold metal techniques, experimenting with textures and forms evocative of nature and the surreal. I draw from the unique characteristics of each stone as creative inspiration, allowing a natural organic balance between stone and metal."
