Candice Benton

The concept behind this design was to capture my love and appreciation for my hands.

As creative beings, our hands are our natural tools that physically connect us to our craft and allow us to bring our fantasies and dreams to reality. With my hands I can leave my mark throughout time showing physical evidence that I am here and I exist. I bare my heart and soul in my hands as an artist. This energy is transferred into the pieces that I create. This double pen stem brooch was hand sculpted and painted with love and care. Colors of gold, cherry and blush bring this elegant brooch to life. while the silver chain dances from one finger tip to the next, creating movement in the piece. A heart shaped iridescent jewel hangs from the center finger creating a peaceful balance.

About Candice Benton
TYL Metals/Jewelry/Cad-Cam ‘23

My Name is Candice Benton I am a Jewelry and Metals major. Creating art has always been a way for me to escape difficult situations. My creativity blossomed at a young age while dealing with traumatic events that were out of my control. Making art allowed me to hold on to pieces of my innocence that I didn’t want to lose. My imagination became my salvation through creating creatures of fantasy that made me feel safe and protected. Limited by my resources, I grabbed anything and everything I could find to create beings conjured up by my imagination to help me cope—unicorns, fairies and other hybrid winged creatures made of tissue, cotton balls, and paper— held together by Elmers’ glue. They were fragile but felt like immovable forces to me. Throughout the years, I have experimented with many materials and mediums. Today, I explore mental health, trauma, fantasy and escapism through sculpture, painting, fibers and an array of materials such as wire, fabric, metals and jewels. The best way to describe my work is personal, vulnerable and powerful.