Nature has inspired jeweler Becky Burnette as far back as she can remember. She grew up picking blackberries and going fishing at her family’s farm in Canton, all the while stowing away images that would show up again in her line of handcrafted jewelry. A wild mushroom sparked a torrent of ideas about texture; a sunflower became the starting point for sterling silver earrings and hand-cut pendants.
At 24 years old, Burnette is just embarking on her journey as a metalsmith. Yet she’s already gained national recognition as a finalist for the 30 Under 30 Rising Star online exhibit presented by American Craft Week.
Western North Carolina craftspeople stand out in this competitive national contest. American Craft Week co-chair Sherry Masters notes that North Carolina has the most finalists of any state, with five finalists from WNC alone.
Burnette isn’t sure who nominated her, but she remembers the thrill of learning she was a finalist. “I felt really honored,” she says. “It humbles you, honestly, to know that other people think so highly of your work.”
But she also says she doesn’t spend much time thinking about awards or competitions, and would rather be working on new projects. “I sit in my little studio, my 12 x 12 space, and I make my craft,” she says. “I do it because I love it.”
Haywood Community College’s rigorous jewelry-making curriculum — the school is well known for its Professional Crafts Program — was a fundamental stepping stone on Burnette’s path. She describes the class critiques as tough but constructive, noting that criticism can be “hard to hear — but it actually helps you see it from another person’s perspective.” She adds that honest feedback, good or bad, can be especially helpful for a young person developing new techniques.
Although some students in her class were around her age, Burnette says her craft community skews older now. “I always joke that all my friends are 50 and above,” she says. “I just get along with those ladies so well.”
Burnette is the chairperson of the Haywood County Art Studio Tour, planned for late October. She says she brings computer skills to the group as well as an “entrepreneurship perspective” that advances the mission of the tour. She also works part-time at Twigs & Leaves Gallery in Waynesville and sells her work at multiple craft shows and at the Gallery of the Mountains at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.
She aims for each piece to convey a story, whether it’s about the natural world or the person who will be wearing it. Individuality is key to her creative process and keeps her committed to working on a small scale.
“I try to not make the same thing twice,” she says. Even producing the matching earring to a set can feel tedious; she’d rather make one-off creations that help her evolve as an artist.
“My day changes, my work changes, and I change,” she says. “I’m proud of that progression.”
American Craft Week is a national, two-week initiative lasting through October 16. Western North Carolina will host dozens of related exhibits and activities at galleries from Blowing Rock to Tryon, and at venues including the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design; the art councils of Asheville, Haywood County and Henderson County; and via Sherry Masters’ Arts Connection curated tours. See americancraftweek.com/wnc for a full list of events.