Marthe Harwell

With a BA degree in English, Marthe’s career centered around Technical Editing and Writing.  But her work didn’t keep her from exploring her interest in the arts.  She began with photography learning techniques in composition and printing.  After winning a first place prize in an art show, her compositions lead to multi-media expressions and beadwork.  Her collaboration with her husband, Jan Norris, led her to teaching basic jewelry classes on weekends at adult learning centers in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Virginia, at the Hand Workshop, in Florida at the Boca Raton Museum Art School, and eventually to The Bahamas for the Ministry of Tourism.  While teaching basic jewelry classes, Marthe continued to take many workshops from internationally renowned artists at the Penland School of Crafts and then silversmithing to support creations in glass.  When Precious Metal Clay in silver became available, Marthe and her husband took many workshops learning the medium from artists such as the late Mary Ann Devos and Barbara Becker Simon.  The more recent developments in metal clay using bronze and copper have offered even more stimulating opportunities to create unique jewelry.  Join her in her journey exploring the full potential of this new clay.