My name is Carmen M. Perez-Stoppert. I received my B.A. degree in small metals. I make small figurative metal sculptures, jewelry and line drawings. I create combinations of metal, stone, and gemstone jewelry. In the past, I created and managed outreach programs with Woman Made Gallery. Since 2019 I have taught free beaded jewelry classes to adults at Chicago Public Library. My business name is Linea Latina Arte. I was born in Chicago, but my parents were from Puerto Rico. I have been an exhibiting artist for 25-30 years.
Currently, as I am constantly perfecfecting my craftsmanship, I have been taking online classes and am learning new techniques such as prong setting, riveting, fabrication, sand casting and gem setting.
My influences come from my many travels to Latin America, my urban surroundings, classic designs from the past, and historical metalsmithing techniques.
I primarily work in brass, silver, copper, and bronze, metals that bend, resist, form, and stay resilient. I’m drawn to the way these materials respond to pressure and heat, how they hold the marks of every decision made along the way.
Every piece is made by hand, one at a time. The weight, the texture, the finish, none of it is accidental. Nothing is mass‑produced, and nothing pretends to be anything other than what it is. What you see is the result of real work at the bench: hammer strikes, file marks, choices, revisions, and the quiet patience of craftsmanship.
This work is for people who want pieces shaped by process, not perfection. Who connect with the rawness of metal and the quiet decisions that shape it. For those who appreciate artistry, the presence of weight, and the story held in every piece.
My studio is my happy place, where fire, metal, and intention meet, and where each piece begins its life.
https://perezstoppertartist.bigcartel.com
To see more of my work, visit www.carmenmperez.com.
If you’re interested in a piece, message me and I’ll add it to my shop for purchase.