Introducing Jill Gentry,  a wire artist.  A native of Warren County, Jill Gentry grew up on a farm in the Three Forks community and settled in Barren County after she married.   “If you knew me from the time I grew up. You would wonder why I am a wire artist.” she said.  Mrs. Gentry’s mother was a painter and taught her to draw a tree, but painting didn’t call to her the way crafting did.  She said that while her mother was pushed to draw, she was pushed to create in other mediums, and then she found wire.  “Wire is where it is at for me,” stated Jill and now her company name is Blue Malibu Wire Jewelry.

Jill Gentry loves making wire jewelry by taking a gemstone or precious stone and making a setting for it out of precious metal.  She said, “I adhere to techniques that date back three thousand years. I use absolutely no solder or glue. I choose semi-precious or precious stones and then craft a setting to celebrate the stone. The wire I use is .925 sterling silver, 14/20 gold-filled or a combination of both.  Just lately I am finishing up a piece in brass and shells.  I welcome the continuous challenge of being able to create one-of-a-kind wearable art by using only a few hand held tools and these ancient techniques. Exhibiting and selling my work is one of the most rewarding parts of creating my designs. I have had several customers come back to see me year after year to purchase my earrings or pendants.  Sometimes it is the stone itself that tells me what would make it look its best, other times I play with the wire by itself. Most of the time I can visualize a piece finished in my head. Then I will work to make it happen. I also will try to draw it out on paper.”

Jill started out making earrings and has been doing that for about seven years and using wire in the process for the last five years. “I am not sure if what I make is considered art or craft but I have been creating since I was young. I sew, crochet, knit, cross stitch and for a time I made hair bows to sell.”

Jill’s art holds a continuing excitement for her.   “From going shopping for the perfect stone, which could mean I will have to go to rock shows, bead shows or even to visit my local rock lady, finding the perfect piece may mean just going through my own inventory to see if they are talking to me.  Sometimes I have the perfect one right there in my collection. Then I choose the wire. Does this stone call for gold, silver or combination of both? I measure the stone to get the right wrap for it. Once I have it wrapped and the bail made I get to play with the wire to accent the stone.  I love to design new earrings too. I really like to come up with new ways to hang things from your ears. It is by the way, where I started out at and I still make lots of earrings for my customers to consider. I have been told that sometimes it is hard for them to choose from. In the last couple of years I have learned to make rings. I really like making those. I have taken one of those techniques and come up with a design of my own.” she explained.

Dale “Cougar” Armstrong, Internationally known wire jewelry designer, author and instructor has been giving classes to Jill for five years.  “She is my mentor and friend.  I usually go to her for two days of one-on-one training. This year I am going for one day of training and one day of play.  I am looking forward to it”, stated Jill.

Jill won 1st place in the jewelry category in 2006 at the Glasgow Business Professional & Women Clubs’ Arts and Crafts Show.  Last year Mrs. Gentry exhibited her beautiful jewelry at the Labor Day weekend Grand Rivers Show, hosted by the Kentucky Western Waterland, the Artworks Lost River Show, the Artworks 2nd Annual Exhibition and the Capital Arts Gallery in May.  This year she has already exhibited in the Artworks 3rd Annual Exhibition in February.  In addition she was honored by having two of her rings published in Dale “Cougar” Armstrong’s book Wirework this year.  

You can see Jill Gentry’s work at the Gallery on the Square in Franklin, Kentucky during the Annual Gallery Guild Show in May and June.  You can contact. Jill Gentry at her Blue Malibu Jewelry Studio at 270-678-7192, or her email at  jjgentry@scrtc.com

Jill said, “I must be true to myself and never forget that God gave me this gift to share with others.”  She leaves us with this quote from her mentor Dale Armstrong, “Inspiration comes from everywhere and every thing!”

About the author: Ronnie Jaggers is a seasoned sculptor, fine artist and master crafter. Her work can be seen on ChiseledFeaturesStudio.com. She reminds other artists “Trust the beauty of your art, for if you see the beauty, others will too.” To be considered for the featured artist call Ronnie at 791-3505 or email ChiseledFeaturesStudio@yahoo.com