Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Fraser.
Hi Brenda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Initially, I was a Jewelry Designer inspired by nature and spirit. While running my Gift Shop, “Butterfly and Moon,” in historic St. Charles, Missouri, I learned how to mosaic wood and metal shapes using vintage jewelry. I fell in love with the process as a way of telling a story using your mother’s or grandmother’s jewelry.
I lost my mother in a car crash and was with her then. Family members removed Most of her jewelry from her house, leaving me with only one ring stolen a few years later. Working with jewelry from the 1940s-1980s makes me feel closer to her. I love all the various shapes and colors, and I especially like to work with charms and symbols that are meaningful to the person ordering the Mosaic.
My pieces are collected by people all over the country, from Alaska to Florida and California to New Hampshire. The Tree of Life is the most popular, followed by the Elephant or Octopus. I have had many unusual requests and helped grandmother incorporate her jewelry and antique coins into 26 mosaic picture frames for her kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
I enjoy collaborating with my patrons on “Storytelling Mosaics” or “Memory Mosaics.” I work closely with each customer to find the jewelry pieces, symbols, and charms that are meaningful to them. Working with Vintage Jewelry (whole or broken) is a way to honor all mothers and grandmothers and the beauty of their lives. I call this “Intentional Art,” where each piece is chosen and placed with intention. These handcrafted mosaics show that out of the broken pieces of our lives can come healing and wholeness.
I’ve trained with author Julia Cameron (“The Artists Way”), painter/author Whitney Freya, painters Flora Bowley and abstract painter Ann Crogan, author Karen Casey, author Marianne Williamson, author Lisa Nichols and others. I’m a member of the St Louis Alpha Chi Omega Alumni group, the Crossroads Arts Council, St Charles County Arts Council, and the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre (Missouri). I’ve won a People’s Choice Award for a Mannequin at Steampunk Summer held at the Soulard Art Gallery in St Louis and Honorable Mention there for a large bull skull. I also won Best in Category at St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre for my Tree of Life. Previously, I was the weekly host of Alive to Thrive with Brenda Fraser on Blogtalk Radio. I was named the 2010 “Beyond the Best” award recipient by Streetscape Magazine and “Professional Woman of the Year” 2003 by the Colorado Business Council. I am the Past President of the St Charles Club of ZONTA International. I love antiquing, traveling, reading, and creative writing.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When creating, I listen to music, light a candle or incense and get into “the zone.” I lose track of time; it can be several hours before I even look up at the clock. I like creating with a window view of nature. I often make a piece with a specific person in mind to contemplate them and their shared memories. Having a retail gift shop required a lot of hours and only a few creative hours left over for new work. Once we closed our shop at the start of COVID in 2020, I had more time to delve into my studio and make bigger pieces. Attending the Gathering of the Creatives in Santa Fe was life-transforming. I tackled a large bull skull and made a custom bison skull too. I applied to juried art shows and participated in several art walks and festivals. I continue to grow and expand nationally. I anticipate exhibiting in other states in the coming years, such as Colorado, Florida, Tennessee, and Indiana. I have begun researching locations and venues. There might be a book with essays about each piece and the stories behind them. I also provide some proceeds to scholarships for women in West Africa and the Midwest. Educating and empowering women is one of my passions. Some of the challenges of working alone is to seek out a community of supportive believers in your art. To find your tribe, attend other art openings for new ideas and to form relationships with other artists. It’s also finding the time to improve my reach to new customers. Technology is always changing, and it’s important to be visible through social media.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am known for my jeweled mosaics, although I also paint and design jewelry. My unique approach includes interviewing customers about their memories of their mother, grandmother, or other significant person in their life. I specialize in finding unique and rare pieces of vintage jewelry, coins, charms, etc., and incorporating them into a beautiful work of art suitable for an office or living room. Each piece comes signed and with a Certificate of Authenticity. I ship all over the United States.
I’m most proud of my animal skulls and animal shapes: cow skulls, elephant shapes, dog, cat, cheetah, and geckos. I love discovering the stories behind the jewelry or the person who owned it. One customer had his grandmother’s button collection. She sewed for the family but was also in the U.S. Navy under a famous Admiral. Using her buttons, I created three pieces for each grown grandchild: an Octopus, an Anchor, and a Picture Frame. This is part of her collection with each significant person who knew her.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Playing with my mother’s jewelry, dressing up, creating pretend-Fashion Shows, and even making earrings.
Contact Info:
- Website: BrendaFraser.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendafrasermosaicart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ButterflyandMoon
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendafraser1/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GalaforceLLC
Image Credits
Merissa Martin, Brenda Fraser
