Norcross Art Fest: Robin Aronson

One in a series of profiles on vendors expected this weekend at the .

Jewelry maker Robin Aronson is a fourth-year Norcross Arts Fest vendor who creates contemporary designs through anodized aluminum, clay and other mediums. Before the festival, we discussed how she got into the art and what inspires her.

Under what genre is your art classified?

Contemporary jewelry.

How would you describe your art to a complete stranger?

I make jewelry that is colorful, funky, whimsical and fun to wear.  Using anodized aluminum as my primary medium, I make earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pins and watches. Some of the jewelry jingles when you shake it, and therefore, the name of my jewelry line is Jinglers Jewelry. My tagline is, "Wear some fun!" 

How long have you been producing art?

Since I was old enough to hold a crayon! I have been a serious artist since 2001. 

How did you first get started in art?

In 2001, I bought a single block of polymer clay to make a sculpture for my husband. Within the first week, it became an obsession to the point where I would get out of bed at 3 a.m. so that I could have a few hours to create before my day job started. The single block of clay mushroomed to fill the entire house with art and craft materials, and my wonderful husband was nice enough not to complain about it. Now I have a separate art studio building. 

Who are your art heroes?

My sister, April, is a fantastic artist who paints in oils and acrylics. She has a great eye for color and design, and it's great to have someone to bounce ideas off of. 

What inspires you?

Everything! I see an unusual shape in a tree or structure, for instance, and my mind instantly translates it into a piece of metal jewelry. A lot of ideas just come out of my mind, and I often have to jump out of bed or out of the shower to draw something before I forget it. 

What is your favorite piece in your own collection? Why?

A funky bracelet that took me an entire week to make. I like it because it was such a challenging piece that has five layers of different colors of metal.

How do you make your jewelry?

I am one of the few anodized aluminum artists in the country who does much of my own anodizing. This is an electro-chemical process in which the metal is immersed in a conductive solution and current is applied for about 45 minutes. This process builds an oxide layer on the surface of the metal that absorbs color. Thus, the color becomes part of the metal. The process takes the metal through several tanks of solutions, and I must wear protective gloves, apron, goggles, and long sleeve shirt and pants. 

After anodizing the metal, I use several different techniques to color it, including hand-painting, silkscreen, stamping and immersion dying. For some of the metal, I add a texture and then cut pieces out with a jewelry saw. Since anodized aluminum can't be soldered or welded, I connect pieces together with tiny rivets.

Do you have a website?

www.JinglersJewelry.com.

Where do you live?

Jacksonville, Fla.

Are you a full-time artist, or do you have another occupation?

I am a full-time artist. 

How many times has your art been featured in the Norcross Art Fest?

This will be my fourth year at the Norcross Art Fest.