Hi! My name is Melissa, I am the Artist and Maker behind The Copper Newt.
I live with my husband and our fur family in the beautiful Catskill Mountains in New York State. We have a peaceful little homestead tucked into the woods, with a beautiful garden, chickens and lots of forest to walk with our three dogs.
I have been a maker my whole life, always curious and drawn to the beauty in nature and the world around me. As a child I loved making “magic” potions and spending time outdoors; gathering plant bits and gluing them to a piece of tree bark to make wall hangings. I studied art in College and earned my Bachelors of Fine Arts, in Ceramics, from SUNY New Paltz.
After college my path lead me away from Art as a career and towards the Human Services/Non-Profit world where I began my professional career. I am currently the Director of Quality Improvement for an amazing agency that supports people with developmental disabilities. Making art is a way for me to ground myself from the chaos of the workday and evenings and weekends you will often find me “in the back room”, a studio space that my husband and I share.
I found Electroforming a few years ago and was immediately enchanted with the process. It combines art, alchemy, science, math and a little bit of magic. I have been hooked since I ran my first “blue bath”. The crystals and stones I use are purchased from reputable sources and other small businesses, and the natural objects are all ethically sourced, most are found by me during walks on our property! I love the electroforming process from beginning to end and I hope that comes through in the jewelry that I make!
Please send me a message if you have any questions!
Thanks again for visiting my shop!