Meet LeeAnne Whitcomb, the talented jewelry designer and founder of BLK FWN. Learn more about this bad babe below:
“Ever since I was a little girl I’ve been nursing an obsession with antiques and vintage items. I especially loved little objects that seemed to have lived a life of mystery. The films I saw as a child had an influence on this passion. Many of them contained trinkets that fascinated me: “To Kill a Mockingbird” Jem’s box of small gifts from Boo Radley, “The Secret Garden” Mary Lenox’s broken ivory elephant and ornate garden key, “The Black Stallion” Alec Ramsay’s pocket knife and horse figurine. I coveted their treasures and I started collecting little objects in hopes of garnering something as unique and special. I love all the little things I’ve found and I admit it’s hard to part with some of them, but one of the reasons for opening my shop is so that I might legitimize my desire to continue hunting for more.
I’ve always been skilled with tools and enjoyed crafting with my hands which is why after 4 years at Art Center College of Design and obtaining a bachelors degree in illustration I started working in sculpture. I love painting and drawing and just about any form of art making but the tangibility of working in three dimensions calls to me. I mainly use polymer clay and sculpt a variety of wild birds and other animals that become combined with natural elements such as mushrooms or branches with berries, and sometimes even wallpaper. If you’d like to check it out you can view it at www.LeeAnneHale.com. I work under my maiden name.
Currently I have a small studio space that I’ve never properly utilized. I’m constantly in the process of setting it up so its functional for working and then ultimately use it for storage as it becomes a colossal disaster area when I’m in the middle of a project. I dislike existing for long periods of time in the clutter so most of the time I take the key ingredients of my project and work on my dining table. From there I can oversee my toddler getting into whatever mischief she’s managed to find as well as see the TV which is nearly always on Turner Classic Movies (I love old movies as much as I love old stuff) or the latest PBS drama (I’m a huge fan of Downton Abbey!). I often have a cup of hot chocolate or coffee at hand but it usually gets cold from being ignored while I sift intently through my materials.
That’s what it’s all about for me, the comfort of working from home close to my family with the collection of materials that fills me with passion. There’s a fire in my bones so to speak and it demands I give new life to these dusty trinkets. I hope they bring as much joy to the next person in their new reincarnation as they have to me as their reviver.”
Support this amazingly talented Femme. See more work on her Etsy page!