About
ART IN BAY FRONT PARK (Duluth, MN) best of show winner (2015), Lissa Flemming opened Silverwaves Jewelry, an art gallery & working studio in Spring 2016. In fall 2021 she moved down the street into a bigger space and opened a fully equipped jewelry and art teaching studio, Workshop 46.8°N . A biologist turned metalsmith and 18 year resident of Baja, Mexico, Lissa has been living in Bayfield, WI now for 24 years. Her unique perspective, travels and adventure enthusiasm, fuel organic jewelry designs which masterfully incorporate the majestic beauty of Lake Superior and the natural world. On display in her gallery, you will find her work, alongside a few select artists who are inspired by Lake Superior.
“It's a good place to be: hand forging and sharing jewelry secrets next to this beautiful Lake. It took a while, but every adventure, sorrow, joy, moonrise, cup of tea, workshop and dirt road has brought me to where I am and is reflected in my jewelry designs. I am inspired by Lake Superior and its waves and ripples; the trees moving in the breeze, the pebbles along the shore and other creative artists who inhabit these shores. Setting native stones from around the Lake with organic sterling frames is my passion: Lake Superior Agate, Mohawkite, Thomsonite, Greenstone, Basalt, etc…and I also use stones from all over the globe; they are too beautiful to ignore! Each hand created piece tells a story without words and I am honored when someone wears one of my pieces to remind them of their own adventure and create their own story."
Be sure to check out the photo of Lissa’s mom, Lettie, hanging next to her bench in her gallery. Lettie’s kindness, creativity and soul lives on through Lissa and her work.
Gallery
The gallery has been evolving since I started to make jewelry. All the classes I’ve taken; the places I’ve worked; the adventures I’ve taken; the tears I’ve shed; and the grieving I do led to it’s opening on May 7, 2016. That was Mother’s Day. I chose that day to honor my mom, who sadly never saw the gallery. I believe the gallery has been and continues to be part of my grieving for the unexpected death of my Mom. I know she is always around—she is the reason it is such a beautiful and inviting place. She taught me those traits and so many more. My mom lives on through me, her friends and family and my jewelry. See the first gallery's transformation to opening day!
GALLERY WINDOW
Who knew I'd love creating window displays. One of my favorite was in honor of the Royal Wedding.
ART BENCH
Lake Treasures
Our Views
Our Lake
Our Flora and Fauna
Our Creative Artists
A collaboration between Jesse Woodward of Iron Apostle and Lissa Flemming of Silverwaves Jewelry and Workshop 46.8°N. #bayfieldcrosspollination Please click on Jesse's name if you'd like to contact him about creating a bench or other metal art for you!
Thanks to Silverwaves Jewelry and Chequamegon Bay Arts Council for the funding to make this possible. Please click on the artist you'd like to contact about your own custom piece!
Leaf Artists // Jesse Woodward, Lissa Flemming, Grace Hogan, Randy Anderson, Andy Falconer, Dede Eckels & Pete Skoro, Poca Adams, Sara Adams, Hilary Nelson, and Dina Post.
Press & Awards
Press
// On Being an Artist & Businss Owner- Chequamegon Bay Arts Council
// Wild Rose Retreat - For the Love of Art - Forest & Lands
// Interview - Bayfield & The Apostle Islands
Awards
// Art in Bayfront Park - Best of Jewelry 2015
// Bayfield Festival of Arts - Best of Show 2014
Artisan Apprentices
As you first walk into the gallery you are greeted by Lissa and her apprentices, Toria or Morgan, seniors at Bayfield High School. Lissa will probably be at her bench working on a new piece while singing along to what ever tune is playing while Morgan or Toria are busy doing finish work and finding Lissa’s eyes (magnifiers). It’s a fun, comfortable, welcoming and beautiful environment which would not be possible without the help and care of these young women. It is an honor to mentor them and teach them a few jewelry secrets.
