Art Brooches

Brooches represent the heart of Elise Winters' artistic practice. These wearable sculptures allow for the fullest expression of the crazed acrylic technique, with broad surfaces that capture and reflect light as the wearer moves through the day.

The Flair Series

The Flair collection features sweeping, dynamic forms inspired by natural movement - leaves caught in wind, flames flickering, water flowing. Each Flair brooch captures a moment of elegant motion frozen in luminous polymer clay.

The Swept Flair Brooch exemplifies this aesthetic, with its graceful curve suggesting both a flower petal and a dancer's gesture. The surface treatment allows light to play across the form, creating subtle color shifts from different viewing angles.

Chrysalis Collection

The Chrysalis brooches explore themes of transformation and emergence. These organic pod-like forms suggest natural vessels, seed cases, and cocoons - structures that contain the potential for new life.

The Cleaved Chrysalis Brooch features a partially opened form, revealing glimpses of the luminous interior. The Cleaving T Brooch takes this concept further, with intersecting planes creating dynamic shadows and light play.

Pentala Designs

The Pentala series draws inspiration from petal forms and starfish, with radiating elements that create visual rhythm. These brooches make bold statements while maintaining the subtle sophistication that characterizes all of Elise's work.

Bud and Botanical Brooches

Nature's smallest forms inspire the Bud Brooch collection. These compact designs capture the potential energy of unopened flowers, suggesting growth and possibility in miniature scale.

The Ginko Brooch pays homage to the ancient ginkgo tree, with its distinctive fan-shaped form translated into luminous polymer clay. The Lobed Brooch explores similar botanical themes with more abstract interpretation.

Technical Artistry

Each brooch begins as raw polymer clay, carefully conditioned and blended to achieve precise color gradations. Multiple thin layers are built up, each contributing to the final luminous effect. The crazed acrylic technique adds surface complexity that cannot be reproduced mechanically.

Findings are selected for both security and aesthetics. Pin mechanisms are robust enough for daily wear while remaining invisible from the front. All brooches are signed by the artist.

Sizing and Wearability

Brooches range from approximately 2 inches to 4 inches in their longest dimension. Despite their visual impact, polymer clay brooches are remarkably lightweight - comfortable for all-day wear without pulling on delicate fabrics.

Investment Pieces

As limited edition and one-of-a-kind works, these brooches appreciate in value over time. Collectors worldwide treasure Elise Winters brooches as both wearable art and investment pieces. Her work has been featured in Ornament Magazine and American Craft Magazine.

For care instructions to preserve your investment, see the jewelry care guide. To find galleries carrying Elise's brooches, visit the galleries page.