Pewter Vessels by Janet Miller
“Deconstruct a style to its simplest lines and you discover its essence . . . function meeting form.”

About Janet Miller

Janet Miller has been a full-time artist since 1996. She learned about working with Janet Millerpewter at the Oregon College of Art and Craft in Portland, Oregon. She works exclusively with sheet pewter using 14 gauge for her vases and 16 gauge for her salt and pepper sets. She now lives in Antioch, Tennessee.

 

Janet's Philosophy

I knew that I had found the medium I had been looking for as soon as I was introduced to pewter. I had been working with copper, brass and silver up until then, but none of the other metals inspired me. Then one summer we had a class on pewter. And that was it. I was hooked.

I work exclusively with flat sheets that are 93% tin, 3% copper, and 4% antimony. Because of the high tin content, pewter is a very soft metal and this meant I could work it with my hands. The only power tool I use is a small electric hand drill for the holes in the salt and pepper shakers. Because it melts at 400°, I can work do my work at home. And because I love flowers, I make vases.

I think that pewter is the warmest looking of all the silver colored metals. This lends to its sensuous appeal. Because I love the look of the metal itself I try to keep my designs as simple and elegant as possible. I want the beauty of the metal to shine and for the flowers to be the decoration.

I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoy creating them.

— Janet