Roxy Lentz was born and raised in the Missouri River Breaks of central Montana, a place well known to those who love the art of Charley Russell.  She began to make her jewelry over 15 years ago, but had to put what was then a hobby on hold several times.

When first making jewelry she attempted to make it the conventional way, using clean new metals and using chemicals to keep the metal bright and unscarred. The results were both disappointing and boring to her - the metals and designs were fighting with each other.

Then, finally, a few years ago she found her hand, and began to use recycled metals. By allowing the metal to determine how the design would go and focusing on the intrinsic beauty of the material itself, rather than manipulating it into an established pattern, she has been much more satisfied with the end results.

Because the jewelry is made from metal that has a history, it has a primitive yet elegant look. As distinctive as its owner, the jewelry can be worn with anything from Gap to Armani, and will always bring compliments. It is jewelry for the woman who resists conformity - it is jewelry that speaks to your soul.


When she began to use recycled metals - such as silver plate, copper, and brass - Roxy found trays, bowls, and other containers at thrift stores and yard sales. Metals others have no longer found useful she fabricates into wearable art. She uses a hand-saw to cut the trays and bowls into simple geometric patterns, and adds a rich patina to the metal by heating it several times with a torch. After filing, sanding, and a little more hammering the pieces are ready to put together into a necklace or bracelet. The results cannot be controlled, and no two pieces of jewelry will never look the same.

"Sometimes I may add a pearl or bead if it will enhance the jewelry," says Roxy, "and, conversely, sometimes I have added a bead and the piece rejects my tampering. Unlike mass produced jewelry, no two pieces from my bench will be exactly the same. My jewelry is constantly evolving as I discover the secrets of the metals I collect."

The jewelry soon begins to acquire a patina from the person who wears it - someone once made the comment that it is alive, it will change with the person who wears it often.

You can find Roxy's jewelry in Louisville at the Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft, Edenside Gallery, and Janjobe Gallery; in Seaside, Florida at Newbill by the Sea; in Winston-Salem, NC at Gaia, and in New Albany, Indiana at The Gallery on Pearl - and of course at Francisco's Farm Arts Festival this June.

Roxy is one of the exhibiting artists who will be featured in Francisco's Gallery this year. Our annual themed exhibition inside the Anne Hart Raymond Center, this year's showcase features artists who are inspired to bring new life to recycled/reclaimed materials and found objects.