“Debbie Clayton jewelry featured at Guild”

Debbie Clayton jewelry featured at Guild

Posted: 12 Mar 2011 04:17 PM PST

Saturday, March 12, 2011

The jewelry collection crafted by the late Debbie Clayton is on display in the Angeline Henry Room of the Princeton Art Guild this month.

A reception is planned Sunday, March 20, 2-3:30 p.m. in honor of Clayton�s work and her memory. She passed away in 2006 after a two-year battle with cancer, but the community is invited to celebrate her life and her art at the Guild reception.

Debbie Clayton graduated from Caldwell County High School in 1970. She was well known for her generosity, spirit of life and her laughter.

She was also known as the daughter of Fred Clayton, the popular Tiger Football coach who led the team to the 1963 state championship, and daughter of Dean Clayton, another popular CCHS educator who taught English.

Upon graduation, Clayton headed to design school where she developed a fascination for vintage clothing and accessories.

She later recalled how much she enjoyed wandering through Goodwill and Salvation Army stores where she was �amazed at the quality of the fabrics and the construction of merchandise from the past.�

She began collecting the treasures she found and later transformed them into two popular jewelry collections, Nymphs and Nymphs II.

�She could take nothing and make it into something beautiful,� said her mother Dean Clayton, who now lives in Nashville. �These pieces truly are pieces of art.�

Debbie Clayton also developed her own materials with the Matthew Carson Crystal Company. She designed 700 styles over a three-year period.

This line gained exposure when Tanya Tucker donned pieces while hosting the CMA Awards and while singing at the 1992 Republican National Convention.

Clayton�s jewelry was also pictured in People magazine and worn by numerous pageant contestants including the 1994 Miss Universe.

Clayton�s one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry help keep her memory alive as they are still worn by friends and families and will be for years to come.

After being approached by members of the Princeton Art Guild Board of Directors, Dean Clayton said she was happy to have her late daughter�s work on display for the people of Princeton to see.

��I am happy that people can come and see what she did. It truly is amazing artwork,� said Clayton.

The community may view Clayton�s jewelry collection Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. or by appointment.

Some of the pieces in the collection are available for purchase.

For more information, call the Guild at 365-3959.

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