Earth imagery jewelry.

• Author: Peterson, Eric
• Position: COLORADO COOL STUFF

Among other things, Leav Bolender has worked as a wilderness guide, social worker and middle-school teacher. She took an early retirement from teaching in June 2006 to focus on her true love: jewelry-making.

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"I've had several different careers, but jewelry has been the constant thread," she said.

Bolender's mixed-media pieces are unique in their incorporation of "found objects" like scrap metal, old motorcycle parts, and other "interesting junk" that she can salvage. "There are...