Alice League

An artist who chooses wire as a medium is destined to have a very unique relationship with it.  Its pliability and endless experimental possibilities often result in wire becoming greater than itself, and what began as a mere12 inches of gold filled wire ends as a dynamic frame enhancing the gem it encircles. 

Alice League loves wire!  She also likes    people.  Alice’s background is in administration and for 40 years her ‘day job’ focused on working with people.  With so much time spent organizing people, projects and money, I didn’t have time to develop my creative side.   So making a piece of wearable art from a piece of wire and a mineral cabochon brings out my creative side.

As a “winter time resident” of Estes Park, I had an opportunity to take a wire-wrapping class at the Art Center.  And since I am also the gift shop manager for a museum, I was looking for new jewelry items to reflect the museum’s mineral and fossil collection.  Wire-wrapping cabochons and making bead earrings to sell in the gift shop sparked an interest in me.  Thus since 1999 I have been designing a variety of mineral and fossil pendants, bracelets, necklaces and earrings.  

I use 14/20 gold filled or sterling silver square wire for my pendant creations. Wire is so versatile that you are not limited to set sizes, shapes, or materials.  I like to let the item govern the wrap.  I don’t want the wire to overpower the item and become the center of interest.  Depending on the size and shape of the cabochon, I never know exactly how a piece will look until it is completed.   The detail of the markings on each mineral or gem dictates the curve or bend of the wire.  No two pieces are alike.  I love to attend gem and mineral shows to find that unique mineral piece or natural beads that have different shapes.  I use gold filled and sterling findings for my earrings creating simple designs.    While making my jewelry, the excitement and interest for me is in trying something new and different each time.

In 1989, Alice and her husband Larry began to pursue the development of a science museum to showcase their extensive collection of rock, minerals, fossils, mammals and dinosaur bones. With Larry and Alice coordinating the efforts for the development, fund raising, construction, and exhibit preparation, the     Dakota Dinosaur Museum became a reality in 1994.   Alice is the museum executive director and Larry is the museum curator/collection manager.   Since the museum is open during the summer months only, the League’s have been winter residents of Estes Park since 1995. 

Alice’s creations are on exhibit at the Art Center of Estes Park where she is a juried member artist, Madison & Main Gallery, Greeley CO, and the Dakota  Dinosaur   Museum, Dickinson ND.  Her work has been accepted into the Art Center “Lines into Shapes” national juried art show in 2007 and 2008.  She won the 1st place jewelry award in 2008.