Rock Paper Hammer was created to showcase the artwork of Helen Neithercut. Helen’s early work focused on paper and assemblage. She later began to collect beads during overseas trips, which included travel to Morocco, France, Ghana, Ibiza, Argentina, Chile, Cyprus, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine, and Turkey. The necklaces shown on this site are unique pieces created from her decades of bead collecting.
More recently, Helen has emphasized her work with metal and semi-precious stones. As a metalsmith, Helen collaborates with her clients to create distinctive pieces that have deep personal meaning.
Helen Neithercut was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She attended Cass Technical High School and graduated from Wayne State University with a B.A. and M.P.A. She later obtained a degree in Landscape Design and Horticulture from Oakland Community College.
Early in her career, Helen worked in the auto industry and later started her own business, Lownie Landscape and Design. Following a work-related injury and subsequently recovering from back surgery, Helen began exploring art through different media. Early work with beads was the beginning of what would be 20 years of making jewelry.
Helen has completed more than 200 hours of classes in metal work, including courses at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee. She also has completed advanced coursework in stone setting.
Helen and her husband Mark moved to Traverse City, Michigan in 2016 to be close to family and enjoy the Great Lakes and outdoors.
Helen now has metalsmith studios in Traverse City and Bay View, Michigan.
