Patricia Kimle Designs
2525 N. Dakota Ave., Ames
www.kimledesigns.com
Jewelry – Fine silver, sterling silver and polymer clay

A beautiful work of art makes a great addition to a home or public space, but when you can wear and take the piece everywhere with you, there’s a special bond that forms. Patricia Kimle’s wearable designs make a statement while referencing elements of nature and her faith through polymer clay and sterling silver.

Patricia’s life has always revolved around art, beginning with watercolor paintings as a child. Her artistic interests evolved into textile work, which lead her to receive her degree in textile and apparel design. She discovered her love for polymer and sterling silver while she was in grad school and didn’t have enough space for any fiber work in her apartment-- she has been exploring polymer clay for over 20 years since.

Patricia currently sells her jewelry to galleries and gift shops all over the country. She also still does fiber work and painting occasionally. She has written over 30 project articles for craft magazines as well as published three books. She can be found working on her small “hobby farm” here in Ames with her husband, three children and her dog Mia.

Be sure to visit Patricia at her studio during the Ames Area Studio Tour Oct. 10 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and Oct. 11 (noon – 4 p.m), contact her directly through her website at www.kimledesigns.com, or visit her Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/kimledesigns

Kristi Running Carlson
713 16th St., Ames
Email: carlsonkmjr@gmail.com

In her small basement studio, Kristi Running Carlson, humbly shows off her intricate drawings and oil paintings of Iowa landscapes.

Carlson became fond of art at a young age. Her father was an artist and she spent a considerable amount of time observing him as a child. His art inspired her to pursue her own career as an artist.

After graduating from Saint Olaf College with an art degree, Carlson continued her education by receiving a Master of Arts from Purdue University and a Master of Fine Arts from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

In 1995, Carlson began teaching art classes at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa. Here, she became a well-respected art professor and gallery director, winning awards such as the Alpha Chi Professor of the Year and the Holmen Professional Excellence Award. Carlson and her husband moved to Ames in 2013 to be closer to family.

She now spends her days in a studio working on her award-winning drawings, paintings and woodcut prints. As she observes pieces of Iowa land, Carlson creates one-inch graphite drawings. These drawings are then enlarged and transferred to blocks of wood to be carved for her woodcut prints. She invites viewers of her art to observe the land and discuss his or her personal impact upon it.

You can see more of her work by contacting her directly at carlsonkmjr@gmail.com or by visiting her studio during the Ames Area Studio Tour on Oct. 10 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and 11 (noon-4 p.m.). Carlson will be in her studio showing off her work and answering questions.

For more information about the Ames Area Studio Tour please visit http://www.amesart.org/ames-area-studio-tour.html.

Note: When visiting Carlson’s studio, please enter through the wooden gate on the left side of the house and follow the brick path around to the back door on the opposite side of the deck.

Melissa Stenstrom Fine Jewelry
507 Main St., Ames
www.melissastenstrom.com
Email: msfjinfo@gmail.com
Phone: 515-451-1318

Located on the west end of Main Street next to Ames Lock & Security, there sits a quaint jewelry shop belonging to an artist named Melissa Stenstrom. Melissa opened up the doors of Melissa Stenstrom Fine Jewelry in 2009. However, she and her family have been actively making a multitude of contemporary and customized jewelry fit for any occasion since 2005. 

Even though she received a formal education in art and jewelry making from Iowa State University, Melissa admits that much of what she has learned comes from experience, experience that she is constantly adding to with new challenges and skills to perfect. She creates varied types of customized pieces, from pieces that incorporate parts of repurposed or recycled jewelry holding sentimental value to pieces that are truly one of a kind. The possibilities are endless. 

Those interested are encouraged to visit her shop during open hours found on her website at www.melissastenstrom.com. You can also contact her directly at msfjinfo@gmail.com or by phone, 515-451-1318. 

Be sure to visit Melissa’s downtown studio during the Ames Area Studio Tour Oct. 10 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and Oct. 11 (noon – 4 p.m.).

Catherine Reinhart
317 E. 7th St., Ames, IA
www.catherinereinhart.com
Email: catherine342@gmail.com
Instagram: @c.r.studio

Sitting at a small table in the dimly lit Stomping Grounds over a cup of freshly brewed coffee, fiber artist, Catherine Reinhart, carefully explains her collection of art on the walls.

The series, titled, Old Prints/New Life, focuses on the redemption of her old, “failed” prints. Reinhart has brought them “back to life” by sewing, cutting and drawing over the originals. Each piece is unique and is filled with intricate details that add to the overall complexity of her art.

 From these intuitive process drawings to immersive textile installations, Reinhart’s art elicits wonder and kindles hope through color and beauty. Her knowledge of textiles that is portrayed in her work is the product of thorough research and
schooling.

In 2008, Reinhart graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in integrated studio arts with a focus on printmaking and textiles. She continued her education by graduating from the University of Kansas in 2012 with a M aster of Fine Arts in textiles.

Reinhart currently spends her days being a mom to her two-year-old daughter and making art in her home studio for upcoming exhibits.

You can check out her work at Stomping Grounds between now and Oct. 11, or visit her home studio during the Ames Area Studio Tour on Oct. 10 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and 11 (noon-4 p.m.). Reinhart will be in her studio answering questions and showing off her work.

For more information about the Ames Area Studio tour please visit http://www.amesart.org/ames-area-studio-tour.html.

Stone House Woodworking / Brendan Zimmerman
1593 Xavier Ave., Ames
www.stonehouseww.com

“This is beautiful! Where did you get it?”

That’s what you’ll hear every time a guest walks into your home and sees a one-of-a-kind piece by Brendan Zimmerman, the owner of Stone House Woodworking in Napier. Brendan creates beautiful, one-of-a-kind works -- ranging from tables and chairs, to mirrors, benches and more -- transformed from both raw and reclaimed lumber.

Brendan discovered his passion for woodworking at a very young age thanks to his
grandfather, who was also an avid woodworker.

“When I was very young, maybe five or six, my first “real” woodworking projects were carving wooden boats that refused to float.  Grandpa Chuck traced the shape of a hull, helped my brother and me cut it out, and then he let us loose with a rasp and sand paper. Once we mastered pine boats we advanced to turning hardwood drum sticks and candle holders in his garage over summer weeks in Ohio. Since those early memories, I have never stopped building and making things.”

His work is heavily influenced by the shaker furniture style, the “truth to material” concept of the Arts and Crafts movement, and the simplicity of modern design. His work is often drafted digitally, then crafted with such precision and attention to detail that it is sure to make a statement.

Be sure to visit Brendan’s studio during the Ames Area Studio Tour Oct. 10 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and Oct. 11 (noon – 4 p.m.) You can also contact Brendan with questions, view more photos of his work or to request a custom piece of furniture through his website at www.stonehouseww.com.

Greg Lamont
130 S. Sheldon Ave, Ames, IA 50014
www.lamontpottery.com
Studio: (515) 292-3448
Email: gdlamont7@gmail.com

Located in the basement of the Collegiate United Methodist Church Wesley Foundation Annex, potters and other artists form a community called the Creative Artists’ Studios of Ames (CASA). CASA is a non-profit that offers artists studio space to work, to learn from each other and to share their expertise with the public.

One of the original members of CASA is Greg Lamont. After taking a few pottery classes in college and high school Greg became interested in the art form. For a few years he worked in a studio out of his home. In 2001, however, Greg was becoming thoroughly aware of the “messiness” associated with clay and pottery and he wanted to find studio space outside of his home. That year, Greg and some other artists were offered a chance to form CASA and gain studio space. They jumped at the opportunity and on Jan. 1, 2001 they moved into the church annex.

Greg now spends his days at CASA turning slabs of clay into beautiful pieces of pottery. His work is primarily related to the preparation of food and drink and is influenced by Korean and Japanese folk pottery. All of his work can be used in conventional and microwave ovens as well as dishwashers. This has allowed local establishment, Stomping Grounds, to display their food and drinks in works of art 
created by Greg himself. The mugs found at Stomping Grounds are even color-coded to remind baristas of their size and the color of the plates is said to complement the food that is being served on them.

Next time you stop into Stomping Grounds be sure to keep an eye out for Greg’s works. You can see more of his work at www.lamontpottery.com or by contacting him directly at gdlamont7@gmail.com. He welcomes visits to his studio Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., or stop in during the Ames Area Studio Tour on Oct. 10 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and 11 (noon-4 p.m.). Greg will be in his studio showing off his work and giving demonstrations.

For more information about the Ames Area Studio Tour please visit http://www.amesart.org/ames-area-studio-tour.html.

Ciccotti Art Glass
2306 258th St, Ames (Napier)
www.ciccottiartglass.com and www.facebook.com/Ciccotti-Art-Glass
(515) 231-1267

In his Napier based studio, just outside of Ames, Art Ciccotti bends and  pulls molten glass to create one of a kind vases, platters, wall installations and more. Art is a Southern California native who moved to Ames and received his degree in Art and Design from Iowa State University in 1987. He found his passion there when he began learning glassblowing basics as a member of The Gaffers’ Guild, ISU’s glassblowing club. Aside from attending various workshops post-graduation, he is a mostly self-taught glassblower. Art’s techniques are heavily influenced by Venetian glass work, which is evident in his use of curvilinear forms and colorful glass. He enjoys exploring different color combinations, shapes and levels of functionality. Art’s work stands as a visual homage to natural forms like flowers, weather and animals; he strives to connect his work to the natural beauty of these things. If you have the perfect piece of unique glasswork in mind, Art takes custom orders and even offers lessons for all experience levels. You can see more of Ciccotti Art Glass’s work at www.ciccottiartglass.com or contact the studio directly at (515) 231-1267. The studio is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday noon to 4pm, Tuesday noon to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm, or by appointment— Art just asks that you call ahead before coming to visit! 

The Ames Area Studio Tour on Oct. 10 (10am - 4pm) and 11 (noon- 4pm) will be a great time to visit. No need to call ahead that weekend. Art will be in his studio hard at work, showing you how it's done.