Artist of the Month: Nancy Hatch

Meet Nancy Hatch: The Artist Behind Fairywings Jewelry

This month, we are excited to showcase the talented Nancy Hatch as Twisted Turtle Studio’s Artist of the Month! Nancy is the creative force behind Fairywings Jewelry, a business she established over 35 years ago. Nestled in the peaceful countryside near Knoxville, Iowa, Nancy finds endless inspiration in nature, infusing her work with an earthy, organic feel.

The name "Fairywings Jewelry" reflects her love for all things fairy-like, a sentiment perhaps influenced by her Irish heritage. Over the years, her jewelry has developed a distinct style—simple yet rich in texture, blending natural elements with artistic techniques.

Nancy works with a variety of materials and methods, including hammered metal, copper patina, wire wrapping, cold connections, alcohol ink, soldering, and etching. Each piece she creates is a unique journey, often evolving in unexpected ways. "I do not always have a plan when starting a piece; it can end up as something totally different from what I thought it would be as I began forming it," she shares.

One of her favorite techniques is creating copper patina with a torch, a process that produces unpredictable and stunning color variations. In recent years, she has expanded her work to include flame-painted copper ornaments and framed copper pictures, often incorporating hammered designs for added depth and texture.

Beyond her own artistry, Nancy is passionate about teaching. She finds immense joy in watching her students discover their creative potential, believing that everyone has an artistic side waiting to be unlocked with the right tools and guidance.

Nancy’s work can be explored in more detail and purchased on her website and on Facebook.