Mimi Dee, an American, signed sterling silver studio metalwork jewelry artist, art to wear apparel artist, and painter is completely self-taught. A Southwestern native, she retired as an RN at a young age to pursue her creative dreams. While living out West, she (born, remains a girl) met & fell in love with her native New England husband (born, remains a boy). They married here and still live in New England.

Miss Dee operated her third and final store/gallery/studio for several years until 1999. The philosophy always being to create one-of-a-kind, signed pieces and give the best, courteous customer service one can give. It was not uncommon for Ms. Dee to spend 3-4 hours with one client, seeing most on an appointment only basis to provide this "Southern Style" service complemented with snacks, beverages and fine chocolates. A psychologist use to come in to the store between patients for some "retail therapy".

On one occasion, she practically "packed" a suitcase for a busy Reading,MA physician, who was on her way to Logan airport (6AM) to show at a televised dog show. This physician had commissioned this multi faceted artist to create a large suitcase full of wearable art apparel. One plastic surgeon wears Ms. Dee's artful jackets to her busy office. Why not, aren't they as comfortable as lab coats, but far more stylish?

A couple of attorneys wear this artist's signed jewelry to the office & court, although the ornate clothing not to litigate in! A well known Boston sports writer wears MIMI DEE ORIGINAL fiber art apparel when she appears on T V while covering the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. One client who had been ill, "threw" on her Mimi Dee hand-painted denim duster for her Dr.'s visit only to be told, 'you look fabulous!'...even "curb delivery service" was provided for wheel chair bound clients.

Alas! This brick & mortar business no longer exists, but signed pieces continue to be created for the many clients, who reside in three continents. Also for interested select galleries and for this internet business of www.mimideeartwear.com. This continues to keep in touch by 'real' mail with many established clients and art patron jewelry collectors who continue to support and collect her work.

Ms Dee still creates and finishes all the work alone in this USA studio (not open to the public) and has never out sourced.

THE GOAL

JEWELRY: To create hand fabricated, one-of-a-kind, somewhat primitive, signed studio sterling or fine silver jewelry sculptures, sometimes using Mother Nature's own pearls and semi-precious gem stones, not as an afterthought but to add a splash of color to what she hopes to be known for, and that is the generous use of precious metal.

Her signature: most pieces be they pendants, bracelets, pins, rings, etc. are hand fabricated, in a private USA studio, from beginning to end from ONE piece of precious metal without cutting or soldering. Kinda like making a sketch without lifting your pencil.

Also find signed 14K or 18K Gold, 99.9% fine silver, occassionally with high standard14K heavy clad goldfilled and even less frequently hand hammered copper, also at very fair competitive prices.

To create these pieces completely by hand , just as primitive jewelry was made centuries ago, without the use of modern tools. In fact, just like the Arts & Crafts period jewelry makers of 100 years ago disdained the use of modern tools, none are used here. Look for tiny tool marks capriciously left behind as a testament to the proud wearer and serious studio jewelry collector that one pair of hands, not machines, made this very special, collectible piece!

Search for this Maker's Mark: HANDMADE MIMI DEE STERLING on the studio pieces, more recently .999FS (purest silver) and the HANDCRAFTED IN USA MIMI DEE STERLING tag on the other usually handknotted jewelry, which is sure to make your pieces quite collectible, as a book is in the plans of this artist's signed work.

CLOTHING: To create artful jackets that never go out of style, that 'forgive' the wearer when weight is gained, and that are un-lined so that they may be worn 10 months a year. To create them with natural fiber such as silk, linen, cotton, tencel, etc., using designer fabrics, such as Lauren, Ungaro, Buchman, Tracey, to name a few. To create these wearable art pieces with pre-washed designer fabric, that can be hand-laundered or dry-cleaned. To create & embellish these happy pieces using 100 year old buttons or to handpaint them using artists' paints.

...lastly, as each piece is made, to 'send' good intentions to the wearer:
"May this person enjoy Peace, Good Health, Love, Acceptance & Prosperity" and most importantly, "may they share these blessings with those around them!"

ARTIST STATEMENT:

Unfortunately I do not possess a sexy list of BFAs and MFAs, nor a litany of master smiths under whom I have studied, as I am completely self taught. Instead, time was happily spent to earn my RN degree. Since childhood my creative interests have always been too numerous, pushing me to experiment and to see "if I can do it by myself" with minimal tools, resulting in a few decades of trials and errors to achieve the look that pleases me.

Current trends are of little interest to me as I usually prefer the quirky and odd look. That many, many patrons have shared my affection for my pieces is the ever coveted icing on the cake.

I have absolutely no desire to produce shiny, commercial work, instead wishing to remain naive. My wish is to provide archival painted work usually void of the usual academic rules and that my jewelry appear naive yet be a well constructed heirloom.

By the same token, I do not name my jewelry. For others it is so cute, but for me it would be the silliest thing that I could do!

My paintings, were it not for the fact that they are of places I have visited, would probably not be titled. Pieces that have been or may be entered in art show exhibits are titled to facilitate the jurying and program process.

You may not find me describing the meaning of my metal work, because that too could be tedious. Of course once the piece is acquired, when asked by the collector, I am most willing to share my possible inspirations and we can name the piece together.

The pieces may develop as a result of the journey that my passion, my heart and my hands take or just because that is what is.

Regarding my paintings: there may be hints, questions, hidden symbols, suggestions or even possible inspirations. Thank you in advance for allowing me my musings...

My wish is that if you enjoy collecting my works only half as much as I enjoyed creating them, then I am indeed blessed!