Ms. Lensch grew up on a lovely farm just outside Decorah, Iowa, earned her BFA in Sculpture and Furniture from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and has focused those skills into current work, creating sculpted jewelry in gold and silver.

Combining her interests in sculpted jewelry, social justice and expansion of knowledge and awareness of broader global gem and jewelry work, Ms Lensch recently taught a paper and sari fabric wrapped bead making workshop to a Women’s Artisan Coop organized through the non-governmental foundation Vatsalya in Jaipur, India.  Although the teacher, she learned a lot about the sourcing of materials, the need to support Fairly Traded goods and materials, and the importance of building positive and lasting connections with global gemstone producers and artisans who are intricately connected to us in Door County.  The beads are used in the necklace pictured here on the model with pink sweater.

Ms. Lensch’s exhibit pieces additionally feature precious metals woven together with gemstones and pearls creating unique matrices of wearable art.  Every piece is one-of-a-kind and handmade.

Her woven jewelry reflects the Hindu concept of “Indra’s Net.”  The image of an infinite net that covers the earth with a radiant, reflective jewel at each knot intersection is repeated in Ms. Lensch’s pieces.  She elaborates, “Indra’s net is a metaphor for how each living part contains the whole and how the smallest unit is crucial to binding the threads of life.”

Ms. Lensch resides in Egg Harbor.  In May of 2014, she will open her own gallery out of her turn of the century log home located at the south end of town:  7653 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor.  Hours will be 10am to 5pm, daily May through October.

Her fascinating, beautiful work can be seen in March and April at the UU Gallery Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1-3 pm and on Sundays from 11am-12:30 pm.