 ARTIST STATEMENT: A graduate of Red Deer College Art & Design program, Amanda L. Houser (maiden name Reid) is a Penhold based, studio artist working in painting, sculpture and jewelry. Her designs derive inspiration from nature, she states, “I try to appreciate the beauty of nature and the little things in life” Amanda works passionately to create unique and interesting pieces that are significant to the people who give, receive and wear them. She believes that, “each piece I create has its own personal story to tell, whether it’s from the stones and fossils that have energy of their own or to a sculpted butterfly necklace that is intricate, colorful & unique” Currently, Amanda’s main focus is on Art Jewelry: creating one-of-a-kind and custom creation using stainless steel wire as her primary material. All wire components are hand formed, flattened and sculpted with consideration to enhancing the special palette of color. “I focus on my belief‚” Amanda states,” that jewelry should be expressive, timeless, wearable, and comfortable.” She believes that, a piece of jewelry can be a way of expressing oneself, a bold statement of personal beliefs, offering someone appreciation or love with a gift, or it can be just plain fun & frivolous. Amanda creates with hand selected beads, stones, and components of unique beauty that have been collected from around the world, and with special consideration to line, color & texture. Amanda says, “I am always striving to create art pieces that are well made and expressive; that show my imagination and true creative self.” Bio Graduate of Red Deer College Art & Design Program 1995 – 1997 Graduated on the Deans Honor Roll, and received the Ian Cook Travel Scholarship in 1996. With which she used to explore the Art galleries in Chicago and Minneapolis. It was a wonderful experience. Self trained in wire jewelry from 1999 Jewelry classes taught by Paul Leathers “Loss wax casting in Silver”, 2004 – 2006 Jewelry classes taught by Paul Leathers “Gem stone Appreciation”, 2006 “Introductory to Jewelry” Red Deer College summer series course 2006, taught by Linda Chow Jewelry displayed and sold in the “Red Deer Rock & Gem Studio‚”, in 2004-2005 Jewelry displayed and sold at “Tangles Hair Studio & Day Spa‚”, 2001 – present Jewelry displayed at “Red Block Artist Gallery”, 2006 Jewelry displayed and sold at The Gallery on Main, in Lacombe 2007 - present Participated in “Centre Fest”, Red Deer 2006 & 2007 Participating in “The Red Deer Farmers Market”, 2002, 2003, 2006,2007 & 2009 Participating in “The Lacombe Farmers Market”, 2007 & 2009 Wintertide Art show and sale, Ponoka, 2009 Lacombe Christmas markets 2009 Parkland Garden Center Christmas craft sales 2009 Custom work, 2000 – present Website: www.wirebutterflyjewelry.com, 2005 - present | 
