KNOT & SPLICE

Knot & Splice is USA-sourced handmade jewelry, textiles, and objects by Nicole Jo Melton, an Everglades native, multi-disciplinary artist, and designer. In 2008, Nicole received her BFA in Visual Communications and Fiber & Material Studies from Chicago's School of the Art Institute. Nicole Melton comes from a background in graphic design, photography, and fibers.

Knot & Splice was founded in Chicago, Illinois, during the spring of 2012, with a firm belief in the values of handmade, quality American work. Early pieces included hand-beaded jewelry (inspired by Native American patterns) which quickly expanded to metalsmithed, hand-carved/cast, and U.S. stone pieces. After a serious spine surgery in 2014 (and ongoing chronic pain), Knot & Splice is focusing on small thoughtful jewelry collections (that do not subscribe to a fashion calendar), custom adornment, and woven art works.

Knot & Splice jewelry is inspired by traditional Americana imagery, Native American silversmithing techniques, Victorian mourning imagery, traditional/folk arts, vintage/antique ephemera, and the artist's interpretation of "home". Many one-of-a-kind stone pieces are modern/minimal in design to elevate the raw beauty of rare/collectible American-mined stones.

Nicole Melton's hand-woven art attempts to capture liberated emotion through color and texture. Weaving is an expressive, meditative process that has given the artist a new voice.

The mission of Knot & Splice is to support other U.S. companies, by sourcing all stones from independent collectors and American suppliers (Knot & Splice only uses U.S.-mined stones). All other materials are purchased from U.S. suppliers (the metals are often recycled). Knot & Splice sometimes incorporates vintage/antique objects, findings, or chains—to add history and character. The fiber used in Nicole's weavings includes: U.S. sourced and/or locally-dyed yarn, the artist's own hand-spun yarn, vintage fiber, and repurposed/recycled or second-hand yarn/materials.

Knot & Splice makes beautiful work that has been skillfully and lovingly crafted with American values—reflected in both material and design.