Press Release
Louisville Jewelry Designer, Cindy Lowy, will appear at (your event here). Cindy is the daughter of renowned musician and dulcimer-maker, the late Homer C. Ledford. A former art teacher, Cindy has been designing and making jewelry since 1980 and is an exhibiting member of the prestigious Kentucky Craft Marketing Program and the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen. Cindy’s award-winning jewelry sells in galleries throughout the United States; she also sells it at approximately fifteen regional juried art shows per year.
Cindy’s jewelry is unique: she is one of the few artists in the country making anodized aluminum jewelry.
In 1989, while exhibiting her handcrafted fashion jewelry at the New York International Gift Show, colorful jewelry by an artist from Great Britain caught her eye. Cindy was enthralled with its unusual beauty and learned the jewelry was made from anodized aluminum.
“As soon as I saw the anodized aluminum jewelry, I fell in love with it. I had never seen any jewelry like it before. The colorful, satiny sheen of the metal was absolutely beautiful!”
Soon after she returned to Louisville, Cindy began experimenting with anodized aluminum and eventually developed two distinctive lines of anodized aluminum jewelry.
The making of Cindy’s jewelry involves many steps. First, the aluminum goes through an electrochemical process in which an oxide layer is formed, making the surface acceptant to permanent dyes. Afterwards, she boils the metal which seals in the color. Cindy then cuts out shapes for the jewelry and polishes them. Next, using a wooden dapping block, she hammers each piece to achieve dimension. Finally, holes are drilled and beads are added for embellishment.
Standing in Cindy's sunny studio and surveying her wide array of jewelry, one wonders how she comes up with so many beautiful jewelry designs. When asked where she gets her ideas for her jewelry, Cindy replied: "I keep a sketchbook to which I periodically add new designs. When inspired, I quickly sketch the image I envision before I forget it. My inspiration comes from nature, photos in magazines, textile designs, and even dream images. Then, when I am not feeling creative but need to make new designs, I refer to my sketchbook."
Cindy went on to say, “It is my goal to create jewelry that is not only unique and beautiful, but also comfortable and easy to care for. Anodized aluminum is perfect because it is hypo-allergenic, lightweight, and never tarnishes. For example, my career line sells really well because it is conservative enough to wear to work or formal events and has a distinctive, elegant look. For my whimsical line, I paint lighthearted images onto the aluminum. I want people to give themselves permission to have fun, even at work, " says Cindy. “I like making jewelry that lifts people’s spirits.”
Besides making and selling jewelry, Cindy leads guided meditations and teaches classes with her husband, Michael Fess. She also enjoys painting and drawing, and loves to write. Says Cindy, "I love meeting people and sharing my insights on how to live a harmonious life. It is my way of giving back to the community and creating a more peaceful world."
Harmony and Me, Chicago Spectrum Press, is available online for $20.95 along with the "Harmony Collection" including her jewelry, art, note cards, bookmarks and more at: CINDYLOWY.COM.
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