Melissa Rocklen
I design and make whimsical mobiles (hanging sculptures), creating each element by hand. To make the metal branches, I use steel and copper, cold- and hot-working it with pliers, hammers and a torch.The leaves and buds on the branches, I make with glass beads and wire-wrapping. To create the sculptural elements (birds, owls, and flowers), I mix liquid and powder pigments into polymer clay and then hand sculpt and sand each piece. The final step is assembling each piece: I balance each branch against the others to create fluid movement. My mobiles range from small ornaments (3” x 4”) to large, intricate sculptures (4’ x 4.5’). New 2016 designs will feature hand-formed metal and paper elements. Each piece is unique, and I'll often work with customers to design color schemes that they like.
