Copperturtles - Janet Weilbrenner & Stacy Benesh

How do we do it?
Together they have let their love for animals blossom into an extensive line of unique copper and stone animals with an emphasis on turtles, although a variety of animals are represented. They first off make their realistic original out of modeling clay. After which a mold is made from the original, and then reproduced in a cast resin armature. The piece is then reassembled and combined with many pieces of irregularly shaped polished stones. Then, through a very unique process of electroforming, the piece is completely encased in copper leaving the stone in an almost mosaic type accents. The piece is then oxidized, polished, and sealed with three coats of lacquer. Each piece takes several days to complete. The results are realistic sculptures, with each one having subtle differences that make them all one of a kind pieces. They are reasonably sturdy and can go outside. The lacquer coat keeps them from tarnishing. We have named each style of turtle and frog and look at each as an individual. Several works together well as groupings. For a serious critter collector they are a must.

"We hope you enjoy our work. Life is so much more entertaining when one can make a living doing what one enjoys. Its just sweetness to the mix that we are lucky enough to do something that others seem to appreciate."

How it Started...

Janet Weilbrenner and Stacy Benesh created "Jassi Designs" as a continuation of what Janet had started 15 years ago when frustration led her to quit her restaurant management career in Phoenix and went home to help her mom start out with some small art fairs until she found something better. Her mother was a retired art teacher and was perfecting her technique of choice-electroforming. After working with her mom for 4 years as a copper jeweler, during which time they both started working into some of the higher quality art fairs, Janet went out on her own to try to develop her own style. After meeting Stacy in 1989 it quickly became obvious to Janet that Stacy had a great deal of artistic talent and a partnership in business would benefit them both. So in 1992 Stacy quit her vet technician job of 10 years and Jassi Designs was born. This merger allowed them to work on and develop the art full time, travel to the art fairs together, and have the same off time so that they could enjoy their favorite past time of trail riding the National Forests. Private life finds them on 12 Ozark acres with a large 4-legged family that includes cats, dogs, horses, Nigerian Dwarf goats, and a llama. Time is divided between maintaining a balance of quality home life as well as trying to compete in the very competitive market of the 20-25 juried retail art fairs as well as their new direction into the wholesale market.



		How do we do it? Together they have let their love for animals blossom into an extensive line of unique copper and stone animals with an emphasis on turtles, although a variety of animals are represented. They first off make their realistic original out of modeling clay. After which a mold is made from the original, and then reproduced in a cast resin armature. The piece is then reassembled and combined with many pieces of irregularly shaped polished stones. Then, through a very unique process of electroforming, the piece is completely encased in copper leaving the stone in an almost mosaic type accents. The piece is then oxidized, polished, and sealed with three coats of lacquer. Each piece takes several days to complete. The results are realistic sculptures, with each one having subtle differences that make them all one of a kind pieces. They are reasonably sturdy and can go outside. The lacquer coat keeps them from tarnishing. We have named each style of turtle and frog and look at each as an individual. Several works together well as groupings. For a serious critter collector they are a must. "We hope you enjoy our work. Life is so much more entertaining when one can make a living doing what one enjoys. Its just sweetness to the mix that we are lucky enough to do something that others seem to appreciate." How it Started... Janet Weilbrenner and Stacy Benesh created "Jassi Designs" as a continuation of what Janet had started 15 years ago when frustration led her to quit her restaurant management career in Phoenix and went home to help her mom start out with some small art fairs until she found something better. Her mother was a retired art teacher and was perfecting her technique of choice-electroforming. After working with her mom for 4 years as a copper jeweler, during which time they both started working into some of the higher quality art fairs, Janet went out on her own to try to develop her own style. After meeting Stacy in 1989 it quickly became obvious to Janet that Stacy had a great deal of artistic talent and a partnership in business would benefit them both. So in 1992 Stacy quit her vet technician job of 10 years and Jassi Designs was born. This merger allowed them to work on and develop the art full time, travel to the art fairs together, and have the same off time so that they could enjoy their favorite past time of trail riding the National Forests. Private life finds them on 12 Ozark acres with a large 4-legged family that includes cats, dogs, horses, Nigerian Dwarf goats, and a llama. Time is divided between maintaining a balance of quality home life as well as trying to compete in the very competitive market of the 20-25 juried retail art fairs as well as their new direction into the wholesale market. Copperturtles Janet Weilbrenner & Stacy Benesh PO BOX 1626 West Plains, MO 65775 417-255-2405 www.copperturtles.com E-mail Janet & Stacy Home \| Artisans \| Membership \| ArtSmart \| Contact \| Featured Craftsman \| Mission \| Links \| Members Only
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