Fibulas by Ramona Solberg of silver, African trade beads, ostrich shell beads, terracotta spindle whorls, 1988.

Ramona Solberg

INSPIRED BY CULTURE
Seattle, WA

Ramona Solberg was the illuminative beacon of contemporary jewelry in the Pacific Northwest. Teaching at the University of Washington, she was the evangelist of using found objects in jewelry, and many of her protégés went on to incorporate her aesthetic lessons in their own work, such as Ron Ho. Because of her personality and creativity, she helped nurture and encourage the diverse community of contemporary jewelers in the Seattle area, and part of the reason that region continues to be so rich today.

These fibulas were her signature work; simple, with a formula of elements that she varied with each piece. They harken back to one of the oldest types of adornment, and in using beads and other found objects, paid homage to the many unsung craftspeople who create objects of beauty. Carolyn owned several of her fibulas, recognizing their charm and the aesthetic statement which Solberg was making.