We had the good fortune of connecting with Arabella Tattershall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Arabella, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
My self employment started in 1980, I was 25. Single without children until 1991; I explored the act of self diligence / discipline. It was easy because the work that came my way either from my own head or from a commission was based on my genetic gifted talents. Much like play! When my children arrived, I continued to navigate a working schedule 3 days a week while they were in pre school. When in school full time, I was able to go back to school and pursue my welding skill set and launch yet another career for myself. For years, my work came from a sewing machine creating garments, banners, soft sculpture and really anything that could be sewn. In 2000, after another 2 years in welding school, my careet changed once again to metal. The gift this has presented to my children is the ‘re invention’ of ones self and with hard work and drive, one can achieve anything they desire. Both of my children are ‘makers’ of such, creative, resourceful and driven. As parents the greatest gift we have is to share the knowledge we have gained along the way by example, fortitude, and encouragement!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Currently I am a maker of Non Wearable Metal Couture. Life size steel and mixed metal dresses for the home and gardens. Leaves have become my signature cloth for these creations. The leaves are collected from everywhere and anywhere, pressed and patterened for future use. Working to keep that part of my work authentic, the leaves lend themselves perfectly. 23 years into this process, the sculptures sell themselves. I have one dress that I have kept made of used Tape Measures. It represents two chapters of my careers, my seamstress years and now my metal years. Success has come easily I believe due to the lack of competition with my designs. Not many metal dress makers out there. With high standards also, my pieces are recognizable by my followers / clientele. Starving artist are words that have not passed my lips; I say this with gratitude!

My hope is that my creations convey texture, flow, fluidity, softness from hard materials. Inviting the viewer to imagine all it sees in the beauty of the human shape.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Much to see and do in a week! Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Art Museum, local art galleries in both the Boulder area and Denver. Hiking in abundance, we are surrounded by beauty in every direction. Food is a personal preference and often dining at home with friends is just as fulfilling.

Local music is abundant as well. Many outdoor summer music venues to attend from Wednesdays – Friday throughout the Denver / Boulder area. Hard to do it all.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Personal family exposure has been my greatest gift to date. My grandmother owned a lovely shop in the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island for several decades. The Colony Shop selling black tie attire to the conventioneers that stayed in the hotel. She was my first mentor. She taught me the beauty of garments and such finery. My mother was a fabulous seamstress, sculptor, painter, gardener and home maker. My father was a surgeon, sculptor, painter, musician, needle worker, gardener…and anything he didn’t know off hand, he would teach himself. With this exposure, my world was filled with possibility daily! My parents instilled in me the idea that if I could think it, I could make it. This over time became my personal truth. I have had the opportunity to ‘re invent’ myself many times over the decades and look forward to the next chapter of invention when the welding no longer suits me.

Website: arabella@arabellasmetal.com

Instagram: Arabella232323

Youtube: /Users/Arabella/Desktop/Aries utube.webloc

Other: arabellasmetal.com

Image Credits
Jim DeLutes

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