Anne Mitchell

Anne’s personal journey in metals has taken her from an in-depth exploration of the intricacies of ancient chain maille patterns, to a study of traditional metal-smith techniques and finally, happening upon the medium that she loves, fine-silver metal working. Anne has been sharing her love of metals with students here at the Bead&Button Show since it first came to Milwaukee. Anne came to the world of metals by picking up an art history book in a museum gift store that had images of maille patterns and armor throughout history. In the images of that book, she started deciphering the intricacies of any maille pattern that she could find. She would stare at the patterns until she could see how it all wove together. As Anne’s love of metals grew, she expanded her tool chest to include a wide variety of cutters, saws, vises, gravers, scribes, dapping sets, and as many hammers as she could get her hands on. The medium spoke to her and she has been listening to it ever since.