Elise Winters - Contemporary Art Jewelry
Luminous surfaces. Subtle, sophisticated color. Elegant organic forms.
Welcome to the online gallery of Elise Winters, an award-winning contemporary art jewelry designer and sculptor working in polymer clay. Each piece in this collection represents a unique exploration of light, color, and natural form.
The Art of Polymer Clay
Polymer clay offers extraordinary possibilities for artistic expression. Unlike traditional ceramic clay, polymer clay can achieve luminous translucent effects, subtle color gradations, and intricate surface treatments that capture and reflect light in unexpected ways.
Elise's signature technique, which she calls "crazed acrylic," combines polymer clay with acrylic paints to create shimmering, iridescent surfaces that seem to glow from within. The result is jewelry that appears almost alive, suggesting budding plants, rippling water, or the soft glow of twilight.
Collections
Explore the complete range of handcrafted art jewelry:
Necklaces
Statement pieces featuring organic forms and luminous color blends, designed to move gracefully with the wearer.
Brooches
Wearable sculptures that function as touchstones to nature's pleasures and mysteries.
Bracelets
Innovative cuff and bangle designs including the popular Boa Bangle and Ruffle Cuff collections.
Earrings
Lightweight yet substantial earrings that frame the face with organic elegance.
Sculpture
Larger works exploring the boundaries of the polymer medium.
Limited Edition and One-of-a-Kind
Every piece is either limited edition or completely one-of-a-kind. The nature of the crazed acrylic technique means that no two pieces can ever be exactly alike. Each brooch, necklace, or sculpture captures a unique moment in the creative process.
Recognition
Elise's work has been honored with a NICHE Award and selected for exhibition at major museums including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Portland Museum of Art, and Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Her jewelry has been featured on the cover of The Craft Report and in American Craft, Ornament, and numerous other publications.
Philosophy
When collectors describe this work as "suggestive," they've understood the intent. Through abstract form and subtle color, each piece functions as a connection to the pleasures and mysteries of nature. A brooch might evoke budding plants or reflections off a rippling stream. Earrings might suggest succulent fruit. The goal is to create art that teases the imagination while remaining elegant and wearable.
Learn more about the artist and her background, explore the crazed acrylic technique, or find galleries carrying her work.