SILVER MINE — Carmen Armstrong showcases her collection of silvery jewelry, seen here during the Dec. 6 Art Walk at Whistle Pik Gallery in Fredericksburg. Armstrong works with over 15 silversmiths across Mexico. — Standard-Radio Post/Richard Zowie
By Richard Zowie —
If someone were to wonder Carmen Armstrong’s favorite metal, all they’d have to do is look at her wrist and neck.
Adorning her neck is a cascading silver and turquoise design of hers that was featured in a style sheet a few years ago in Cowboys and Indians magazine.
“It can be worn by somebody in jeans and a T-shirt on the go, or by someone dressing formally,” Armstrong said.
On her right wrist, a bracelet from a Mexican artist from Taxco who combined European and Mexican designs.
And on her left wrist is what Armstrong described as a “classic Mexican design” from the 1940s.
“I wear it every day,” she said. “It’s my signature piece, and it’s held up to a lot of abuse.”
The result is a wide array of silver bracelets, necklaces, earrings and other pieces of jewelry, on display at Whistle Pik Galleries at 425 East Main Street in Fredericksburg at the Dec. 6 Friday Art Walk.
Her silvery display began as a trunk show this past Friday and will become a permanent addition to the gallery.
Armstrong’s passion for plata (the Spanish word for “silver”) and Mexico’s renowned silver production led her to create Plata del Carmen in 2005.
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