Charles (Clay) Parker

Wyoming County

Jewelry

No

Website

About Charles (Clay) Parker

I enjoy working with natural materials. I enjoy the process of taking a piece of copper pipe and turning it into something completely unique and I enjoy the look on someone’s face when I tell them that the piece of jewelry they’re looking began as a 100 year old piece of copper pipe from an old schoolhouse boiler. I inherited my grandfather’s shop so most of the tools I use came from him or my dad and most are simple hand tools. I have found something I enjoy and have a knack for.

At this time I’m in the Artist At Work Gallery in Elkins, WV and working craft shows.

Biography

I am a self taught coppersmith/jeweler from Pineville, WV. A few years back my parents started making copper and antler jewelry when they retired as a pastime. They started doing a few craft shows and I went along to help them load in and out. At the time my Mom was making copper cuffs without using a torch to heat the metal. She was afraid of using a torch so I offered to help her and it took off from there.

I found I enjoyed working with copper and started making chased copper cuffs. My Mom bought a jeweler’s saw and after becoming frustrated laid it to the side, I picked it up and started cutting copper! I also found I enjoyed working with wood and created a wood bezel for our pieces.

So far I am completely self taught using a system of trial and error but I’m enjoying every minute of it.

[email protected]
Other Creative Skills

Wood
Other

Charles (Clay) Parker's Work

More WV Artists

Sonya M. Shafer

Sonya M. Shafer

About Sonya M. Shafer I create linework on textiles, inspired by nature and sacred geometry, the mountains, rivers and valleys in southern WV. I...

read more
Krisha Redillas

Krisha Redillas

About Krisha Redillas My recent work is an exploration of the impulsive, chaotic mind and natural world. Through my abstract acrylic paintings, I...

read more
Sarah Fox

Sarah Fox

About Sarah Fox Much of my work is fueled by research and observation and I am extremely inspired by the lives of animals, sustainability, and queer...

read more