BAYFIELD - It's hand made jewelry with a Lake Superior connection.  A metalsmith in Bayfield is creating one of a kind pieces that are truly down to earth.

Along the shores of Lake Superior is where one Northland metalsmith finds her inspiration.  "My work is really special to me because of this area," said Grace Hogan.  "I just love the area, the landscape, the lake especially, I love the water."  It’s where Hogan finds what she needs to create her tiny sculptures.  "I’ve always loved jewelry and I just love that it's kind of art for the body, it's just a more intimate art."

Born and raised in Duluth, Hogan now lives in Bayfield where you'll find her soldering, sawing and hammering away in her home studio.  It’s a hobby she hopes will become something more.  "It’s slowly becoming my full–time job," said Hogan.  "I try to get in the studio every day and work on at least something."

Hogan got her start in metal work while studying fine arts in Bozeman, Montana.  "I took a studio class in metals and just fell in love with it," said Hogan.  "I owe a lot to my professors, they taught me a lot."  Monday she worked on a custom ring order and a pair of earrings.  She mainly uses sterling silver but has also worked with brass, copper and gold.  Lake Superior basalt and beach glass are her materials of choice.  "And I don't really polish them, I leave them as is and they have a really natural look to them," said Hogan.

It’s sculptural jewelry that's natural, unique and down to earth.  "My dream is just to always be able to do this, I just love it and I love making art for other people," said Hogan.  "I know that a lot of my friends and family and other locals and people who visit even, the tourists just have this great connection with the Chequamegon Bay area so I really love that I can make something that they can take with them and always remember this place."

Grace Hogan hopes to one day have a gallery of her own.  For more information on her metal work log onto www.gracehogan.com