Wiesenberg brings artisan jewelry to life
Photos by Jamie Plain
Owensboro native Selma Wiesenberg has long had a knack for creative expression, but it wasn’t until her mother passed down a box of jewelry-making tools that her artistic journey took a sparkling turn. Today, Wiesenberg is known for handcrafting distinctive pieces that weave natural stones and precious metals into timeless, wearable art.
After nearly 30 years in Orlando — where she raised a family, earned a fine arts scholarship at Valencia College, and worked as a graphic designer — Wiesenberg returned to Owensboro to be closer to her aging mother. The move also marked a creative rebirth.
“I lived in Orlando around the time Disney was getting started, during the 1970s,” she said. “I ended up coming back home to Owensboro because I wanted to spend more time with my mom, since she was getting older. I was a graphic designer at the time and could work remotely.”
Once home, Wiesenberg immersed herself in Owensboro’s creative scene, serving on the board of the Owensboro Art Guild from 2017 to 2024 and currently sitting on the board of the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art. While she dabbled in everything from crochet to photography, it was the art of jewelry making that truly captured her imagination.
“My mom handed down her jewelry-making tools to me and I stepped into the realm of jewelry design in 2007,” Wiesenberg said. “I began to follow some groups on Facebook and got into basic wire wrapping.”
Developing her own style of mixing wire wrapping with wire weaving, Wiesenberg has a passion for creating quality jewelry that will last a lifetime.
She prefers to work with natural, hand-cut stone cabochons, often wrapped in copper or Argentium silver, a high-quality alloy with a higher silver content and tarnish-resistant germanium.
“Copper has a warm richness, and it’s so malleable. I love how it holds its shape,” she said.
Jewelry making is a process, and the creative outlet that Wiesenberg has discovered offers a means of expression and a high-quality product.
“Sometimes I live with a piece for a while, weave a basic wrap around a stone and then just let it rest,” Wiesenberg said. “I may pick it up later and finish it as inspiration strikes. I love making chains — woven chains, Viking chains. I truly enjoy the process.”
Wiesenberg has always found comfort and an outlet for creativity in the arts. As she gained confidence, Wiesenberg displayed her work at shows in Florida and Kentucky, receiving awards for both black-and-white photography and jewelry. What started as a hobby became something more after her first piece sold at a juried show.
“When I realized my jewelry was good enough to sell, a new venture began,” Wiesenberg said.
A standout piece — an Elisa Mine Turquoise wrapped in 60 inches of 20-gauge Argentium silver and woven with 225 inches of 28-gauge fine silver — was featured in the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art’s 63rd Annual Juried Exhibition.
Today, Wiesenberg sources her stones from American lapidary artists — artisans who cut and polish stones — ensuring both high quality and a local flavor.
That attention to detail, along with her commitment to balance and contrast, has helped her develop a distinct aesthetic.
“Contrast is a great thing,” she said of her wire type and stone selection. “I learned a lot from my art classes. I suppose you could say I am self-taught; however, no one is ever really self-taught. I get a lot of inspiration from following other artists via social media.”
As with most artists, Wiesenberg puts a little of herself into her original creations and loves when her clients find a piece that fits their style.
“It’s important for people to feel comfortable in jewelry,” Wiesenberg said. “I love creating a fancy silver piece that can be both casual and classy.”
But above all, she wants her work to be recognizable.
“When I see someone wearing handmade jewelry, sometimes it is easy to recognize the designer,” she said. “I’d love to think that my work is recognizable, that the element of elaborateness in each of my designs makes it unique.” OL
