Bohemian Romance - Tulsa Art Studio Tour Artist Samantha Extance

This post is part of our series on Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's Tulsa Art Studio Tour 2014. A self-guided tour, the Tulsa Art Studio Tour showcases the talent of artists who live and work in Tulsa.Today we are featuring Tour artist Samantha Extance.

Growing up in a family of tinkerers, that visited garage sales and flea-markets regularly, "becoming a steampunk artist seemed inevitable" for jewelry artist Samantha Extance. Extance's mother was a self-taught jeweler and this inspired her to create her own jewelry line with Bohemian Romance.

a detail of the studio of Samantha Extance

Extance is working on her doctorate at the University of Tulsa, where she edits the James Joyce Quarterly. Research clearly plays a key role in Extance's work. "I try to learn about the object’s origins: how it was crafted, how it was used... I am inspired by each object and my process of creation is very organic," she says.

Process put first, Extance breathes new life into old objects. These seemingly gritty materials from vintage sources may be tough, but in Extance's jewelry, they become delicate and graceful. "What I love most about steampunk is the history of objects and how dainty and beautiful metal can be," she says.

Tour Artist Samantha Extance in her studio

Her favorite piece is a custom made work she made for a friend who was getting married. This bridal jewelry was made with vintage pieces, lined with sapphires, being both something old and something blue, for the time-old bridal tradition. Of this commission, Extance says "I truly enjoy what I do and on this occasion, it was pure bliss. I put more than a little love into this one–I put a piece of my heart."

Meet & see the working studio of Extance along with 13 other artists on April 12-13, noon until 5 pm on the Tulsa Art Studio Tour. For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit www.TulsaArtStudioTour.org.