© Clinton County Arts Council
7 West Main Street -
My name is Vivienne Shay and I am called “The English Lady”, because I was born and
raised in Birmingham, England and even after all these years I still have the accent.
I have been involved in crafts for over 30 years, starting at an early age at my
Grandmother’s and Mother’s knees doing crewel, embroidery work and knitting. Nature
was important to us so it’s only natural that the items I use in my jewelry are from
nature. I use silver, fresh water pearls, jade and many other types of semi-
Jewelry made out of gemstones, crewel embroidery, polymer clay, nature enthusiast, paintings and photography is what comes to mind when describing Clinton County Arts Council member Vivienne Shay. Vivienne is also known as the “English Lady”, rightly so because she was born in England, now residing in Mill Hall. Vivienne is very detailed orientated in everything she creates. She is the only jewelry maker at the Arts Council that uses real gemstones; she travels to Lewisburg to purchase her stones. Vivienne lets her imagination run wild in all her craft work and it plays a big part in the process of jewelry making.
Her display of jewelry is breathtaking, with something for everyone. When asked which craft she enjoys doing more than the other; her reply was “I love them all the same”. She needs no motivation, she is always creating something. Vivienne comes from a family of talented people. Her grandfather was a silversmith and her father was an artist who did sketching.
Vivienne does a few shows a year with her jewelry but she likes to keep it at a minimum, so her work does not become a mass production. No two pieces of jewelry are the same. Vivienne throws herself into the project, with the knowledge of knowing that the more “you” you put into it the better it will be. She is a true perfectionist, a very gifted artist with a wide scope of natural ability, very passionate about her work and she has no limit on imagination.
You can view Vivienne’s work at the Arts Council. I’m sure you will agree that it is simply beautiful. And special made to order jewelry is welcomed.
By: Sandy Considine
