TAD COFFEN

The life of Mr. Coffen has the makings of an epic novel. His life has flowed much like a stream, creating his world and realizing self-discovery. Like most highly talented individuals, his journey has offered this somewhat eclectic man abrupt changes in interests, employment and addresses over the years. There have been several romances in this journey of discovery and self-definition as well. He calls the romances the icing on the cake of life. Mr. Coffen is a published writer and has presented demonstration projects nationwide. Tad has devoted the past 25 years of his life to advocating and supporting individuals with disabilities, however, the forces that boil within stepped aside, allowing art to become a full-time endeavor.

A background in art started early as Tad was constantly drawing and building models. He enjoyed cleaning green ware and molding clay when he was eight. His mother had a ceramic business and painted. He believes his abilities in art were imprinted by his mother. His father also was a life artist and could build anything, as Tad puts it, "My dad could see a project in his head and his hands would create it!"

Tad spent nine months at the Howard Metal Academy in Wisconsin. He has also formally studied at Stubies Consulting, Inc. in Shawano, Wisconsin off and on for the past two years. Additionally, he studied firearms engraving and inlay at GRS Corporation in Emporium, Kansas in the fall of 2004. This was a learning of techniques, as he puts it, but the art has always been inside, waiting to find a way out, and as all passions do, it has continued to permeate his life.

Tad has been an active member of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) since 2002 and of The Society for Midwest Metalsmiths since 2003.

About Our Guest Artists

We welcome talented guest artists on our site. There is some amazing talent here, so read on to meet our guests.

NINA MARIE

Nina is a 1980 graduate from The University Arizona. She holds a Degree in Fine Arts. She worked as a graphic designer until 1990; however, she felt she made little difference to the world of art. She settled down in Quartzite Arizona where she has a small studio in town and attends the yearly gem convention as a vendor in January, held in the city of Quartzite, where the staff at Morning Mist had the privilege of meeting her. The event attracts vendors from as far away as Australia.

She is raising three children, and enjoys Beading and making Sterling Silver Jewelry. She sells from her studio and her work is in several other studios in Arizona.

Nina plans, as all artists do, to have her work in every corner of America. In a way she has - she is on the World Wide Web here at Morning Mist. That would make it every corner of the earth!

WAGNA CELIDON

Wagna Celidon is a jewellery designer from Quebec, Canada. She studied part time at Montreal’s Jewellery School for many years where she won an excellence award in 2001. Following years of training, what started as a hobby became a passion she couldn’t ignore. In November 2006, she launched her jewellery creation business. Her 2007 collection consists mainly of sterling silver rings designed in very unique styles. For this collection, she used the lost wax technique. She is currently in creative research to master her work while preparing her second jewellery creation due by March 2008.

MARY J. THOMPSON

Mary has always enjoyed jewelry. She took classes in grade school and every class offered in high school. After several odd jobs, she was lucky enough to land a job as a bench jeweler at a local goldsmith studio. Twenty-five years later, she began designing and creating art jewelry and joined the creative forces of Morning Mist Jewelry and Fine Arts as a freelance contributor.

Mary strongly believes in the importance of art and music in the lives of our children for their growth and personal development. With the current trend toward cutting art and music classes from elementary, middle and high school curricula, Mary fears our society will suffer tremendously from an ensuing loss of creativity and true enjoyment of life.

Become a Guest Artist with Morning Mist Studios

If you create unique, beautiful, high-quality jewelry works of art, consider becoming a guest artist with Morning Mist Studios. You can show and sell your work on our website. If you are interested, contact Morning Mist to discuss guest artist arrangements.