New Prettywar Designs

Sturgeon Bay’s Greco Gallery is featuring new accessories from Prettywar, a line inspired by interesting juxtapositions. Local artist Melissa Clark combines disparate elements to create unique statement jewelry, and loves to take old, neglected, maybe even broken pieces of jewelry and give it a new life. Vintage components like brass or copper flowers, faux pearls, Lucite beads, heart charms, old books and lace are reinvented by mixing them with new components like gemstones, unusual chains and resin.

Some of Clark’s experiments involve pendants made from vintage paper, protected by clear resin. A Brownie Scout Handbook, found at the Sturgeon Bay Library book sale, led her to a series called “Girl Scout Liberation Project.” The pieces contain collages made from images and text from the handbook; the girls go off on adventures, much like she imagines the real girls who used the book must have done. Other necklaces and bracelets are made from locally sourced books and ephemera, like stamps and old Door County postcards. Her pendants with vintage cat images, some with hand-painted details like eyeglasses, are also popular.

Clark’s newest pieces are winter-themed. Her “Diorama” necklaces combine whimsical and elegant components in window lockets. Some are filled with tiny evergreen trees or red-and-white mushrooms and snowy glitter; others have miniature pastries and golden microbeads.

Clark has also recently added stamped metal necklaces, bracelets, and key chains to her collection. They are available in brass, copper or aluminum in various sizes and shapes (including the shape of Wisconsin). They can also be personalized.

To learn more about Prettywar, visit facebook.com/PrettywarDesigns. Greco Gallery is located at 24 N. Third Ave. in downtown Sturgeon Bay. Regular hours are from 10 am to 5 pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am to 5:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 am to 2 pm Sundays. For more information, call 920.743.5000 or visit grecogallerycoop.com.