In Memoriam: Lis-el Crowley Co-Founder, AMCAW
We are deeply saddened at the passing of Lis-el Crowley, the visionary artist whose belief in the importance of learning in a community of artists fueled the founding of AMCAW.
Many of us came to know Lis-el initially from her popular metal clay videos. While she loved to create, she loved teaching even more. “As a teacher, I thrive on awakening the creative spark within people of all ages and backgrounds,” she said in a recent artist statement.
“Creating and teaching are at the core of just about everything that I do,” she added. “I find inspiration everywhere and enjoy the camaraderie and community that is built when people of like minds and spirits gather together.”
Metal Clay Mojo conference 2019
She felt so strongly about the importance of learning within a community of artists that she created a local guild in Connecticut, the Metal Clay Artisan Guild. Next, she launched the Metal Clay Mojo Conference, which took place four times and drew a devoted audience to this fun and educational event.
Lis-el truly believed there should be no boundaries between metal clay artists. She envisioned an organization that would be international and brand-neutral, designed to unite, engage and inspire the entire metal clay community. Starting in late 2017, she joined forces with Paula McDowell and Wendy McManus to start AMCAW, the Alliance for Metal Clay Arts Worldwide.
“Lis-el was brilliant, funny, hard-working, caring, committed, and inspiring,” said Wendy McManus. “She was the beating heart and soul of this effort to create AMCAW. Early on, there was so much to do and the challenges often seemed overwhelming. In those darkest moments, Lis-el made us laugh and kept us pointed toward the vision. She had a beautiful way of magnifying the energy and talents of others.”
“Lis-el had a genuinely warm and loving personality and an amazing ability to connect with people. She looked for the best in people, and encouraged all of us to do the same,” said Paula McDowell. “As an instructor and an organizer, Lis-el created a safe space for people to test their limits. She would offer a little push and a lot of support in the face of self-doubt. Lis-el helped set a vision and path for AMCAW, and her passing leaves a huge hole in our hearts.”
Paula McDowell, Lis-el Crowley, and Wendy McManus, the co-founders of AMCAW
In Lis-el’s role as Vice President of AMCAW, she served on the Executive Board of the organization. She also served on the Conference Committee, helping to guide the development of SINTER, an international metal clay conference. She also served on the Education Committee, contributing to AMCAW’s growing online Learning Center.
While Lis-el was an early leader in metal clay, she actually worked in multiple mediums, often combining them. A self-proclaimed creativity addict, Lis-el worked in ceramics, glass, metal, alcohol ink painting, and silk-dyeing. Upon discovering metal clay, it quickly became her favorite medium, and the one for which she was best known. She drew on her pottery background to sculpt and roll metal clay, with coils becoming a signature technique in her wonderfully flowing, organic creations.
Lisel Crowley Nouveau Necklace
She also loved working with dichroic glass, and often taught others the skill to create their own dichroic cabochons so they could create a unique work of art which was entirely their own.
Lis-el was a sought-after metal clay instructor, teaching across the country at many different venues. Her work was featured in multiple publications including The Crafts Report (now known as Handmade Business), Art Jewelry Magazine, and Easy Metal Clay. She was the owner of the Art & Soul Gallery/Studio in Windsor, Connecticut.
Those lucky enough to know Lis-el enjoyed her affirming outlook on life and the universe, her ability to inspire, and her sense of fun. Wherever metal clay artists gathered in the evenings during events, Lis-el was usually in the middle of the group, with her sense of humor and inclusiveness drawing out the best in everyone. Inspiration and camaraderie would be flowing, along with Lis-el’s signature drink, the “Dark and Stormy”. By the end of the evening, friendships would have been forged and inspiration would run rampant.
As Lis-el posted on her website: “As a Spiritual Being, I believe we are all here to make a positive impact on the planet and human consciousness. I strive daily to be that positive influence and to empower others to do the same.”
Lis-el loved life, her family, her friends and the metal clay community. We are privileged to have known and worked with this wonderful spirit. Godspeed, Lis-el, and thank you for including us in your joyous life journey!
Lis-el was a force of inspiration and knowledge. Skilled metal clay artisans are hard to find and ones that can also instruct, even more so. Lis-el was both, and we all are better for having known her.
I loved her Cooltools videos…she was so gifted as an artist and a teacher. So sad to hear of her passing….prayers for her family and friends and she will be missed.
What a fabulously written piece , this really captures the essence of lisel x I only met you in the flesh once at YCMI and you had a lasting impact on me x the metal clay community will miss you deeply x rest in peace and fly free x x
I loved her videos .I never got to meet her but felt the warmth she conveyed… hugs Ellen Jean Cole
I did not know Lis-el extremely well I met her a few times as a member of Metal Clay Guild of Ct. I remember one time where we could not get into the building where we usually held the meeting and Lis-el invited everyone to her house for the meeting.
Lis-El truly believed in positive encouragement when teaching, always pushing her students to reach further and dig deeper. I learned so much from her. She will be missed greatly.
Lis-el made learning much easier than I expected. She was a wonderful, special spirit. Bless her family, friends and devotees.
Lis-el was truly the queen of the universe and an inspiration for so many. I feel blessed to have spent quality time with her and will hold her spirit dear to my heart.
Lis-el was a wonderful quirky lady who made time for everyone. She was a great artist who shared her talent with all around her with a smile. She will be missed by many in the Metal Clay World.
Lis-el was a wonderful teacher, and for many a mentor. She loved to share her knowledge with everyone and strived to bring all like minded Metal Clay folks together. Her videos are awesome and she makes you feel like she is right there with you. Lis-el will be sorely missed. Gone, but never forgotten….
It is always sad when a bright Spirit, such as Lis-el, moves on. Her generosity, love of creativity and teaching, her encouragement to others are just a few of the gifts she shared. Thank you, Lis-el, for sharing so freely and lovingly with us. Blessed journey.
I just was very saddened hearing of Lis-el’s passing. Although I had not met her, I felt her kind and free flowing creative spirit through her online videos. It reminds us all to appreciate each moment of each other’s gifts. My sincere thoughts go out to those who knew her personally, and those at AMCAW. We will remember her.
Lis-el was my sister in silver. I took her very first metal clay workshop and from that day forward I was in love, not just with metal clay but with Lis-el. She had an amazing ability of making you feel welcomed and appreciated. She helped bring out the very best not only in your work but in yourself. May her legacy live on in others art with the skills she’s taught us all. I feel so very blessed to have been able to learn in her light.
I’ve known Lis-el for more than a decade. We knew we were kindred souls from Day 1. With her passing, a hole has appeared in the universe and the Spirits weep with us. Travel safely, my friend. I’ll cherish the memories until we meet again.
Lis-el was my first introduction to metal clay, she made it look so easy! This confident lady made everyone feel at home with metal clay work. How could you fail, she drew you into her class and by the end you were a pro! I for sure will miss her, as will all who knew her. The bright light we once knew in the class room now shines down upon us. RIP
I was just starting to work with PMC last year when I took a video class from Lis-el. She was such an inspiration and convinced me to continue to work with PMC and improve my skills. She made it look so easy and I really appreciated the little tricks that she shared.
A truly inspirational lady! I learnt so much from her video tutorials, a wonderful character, so very saddened by this loss, a very brave woman who carried on regardless! Sympathies to her family 😪
I took a class with her at the Tucson Gem Show a few years ago. She was a great teacher and very giving. I enjoyed her videos especially and have made some lovely pendants, rings and bracelets using her ideas and techniques. She is such a great loss!!
I got to sit next to Lis-el at a workshop. She was very giving with her knowledge. I appreciated her help and advise.
She will be missed.
I never got to meet Lis-el. I was due to at YCMI 2020 in the Uk but sadly that was not to be.
She was my inspiration when I first discovered Metal Clay in 2017. Her clear videos on Cool Tools held my hand while I took my faltering steps. She gave me permission to accept less than perfect
. ‘ I don t want things to look as if they ve come from a factory but want to see the hand’ and that has stayed with me since.
I owe her a dept of gratitude along side many others. She left us all too soon but will live on in our hearts and in this organisation.
This spring I had to attend YCMI. It would have been an opportunity for me to meet her in person. Unfortunately, this has not been the case … Her classes will always be close to me.
I met Lis-el about 15 or more years ago. I was a newbie to metal clay, found her gallery in Windsor and spent many a day with her there- taking classes, getting certified, and at that time when things sometimes became cumbersome at home, I would take the 20 minute drive to Windsor, and the two of us would get pizza next door and sit in her comfortable gallery and shoot the breeze. That is when I became a friend to her besides a teacher. Sometimes Alexis her daughter would teach a class and sometimes Lis-el and I and Alexis would fire up the kiln and play with enamel on copper. I spent alot of time there. One particular day, a man came in the gallery to look for a gift- I was at her desk asking for 10 grams – the man turned around a stared at us- guess he thought I was looking for cocaine and had a startled look on his face. Lis-el and I burst out laughing and explained the silver clay we purchase is in grams! He left and bought nothing!!! I have had her to my house and have taught her my skills of journaling, spent time with her with my very good friends Eve and Denise when she was first diagnosed and on after that and tried so hard to make sense of what was happening. She will always be in my ear saying “Lynnie,” stop saying that” when I use to put myself down. I have never lost a friend and I am struggling every day with her passing. To her family I hope for peace. For Li-sel- I know she did not want to die and tried everything to as she said “beat this thing” She did her best Rest pain free my friend—Thank you AMCAW for this tribute Lynn Zettlemoyer
I still hear her saying “Lynnie-Lou”, too. Lovely tribute, Lynn. You said it all!
I met Lisel at a small gallery in CT for a class she gave on soldering. She talked about metal clay and showed us some of her pieces. She invited me to the guild after taking a couple of her jewelry classes and the rest is history!
She was such a wonderful teacher and a fun person to be with. She had a way of guiding and teaching that was inspiring. She made you think about your creations. She was a wonderful teacher, mentor and friend.
She started me on a path of creativity and I’m so grateful to have known her. When I am uninspired and down in myself, I will think of her encouragement and kind words. 💕💕
I loved the Metal Clay MOJO Retreat I attended. She really pulled together so many in the metal clay community. She will be missed.
Prayers for Lisel and her family.
It is with a saddened heart that I express my gratitude and love for our brave and fearless leader and friend. I feel so much gratitude for having Lis -el as a friend,mentor and Guild president. She gave us so many smiles,lessons,inspirations and love. I will forever thank her for embracing me with her kind words and hugs when my husband of 48 years passed. Her spirit resounded with me to help me get through what I thought was impossible. We will all miss her and try to keep her spirit alive within us. This Angel will bring on the best to all who are in heaven.❤️😢😇😇
I’m shocked and so saddened by the passing of this wonderful teacher! I only knew her through her cool tool videos, but I felt such a connection with her because she taught as if she was sitting across the table from me, talking just to me and her techniques with metal clay and the use of the various tools gave me such confidence to try this medium that I had no fear jumping into it with both feet. I am going to miss her videos badly and feel such a sense of loss over this, almost as if we were friends! The loss of her talent and influence is going to leave a huge hold and I hope the opportunity to find and preserve every video she ever made is going to be put out there because it’s going to be a top priority for me for some time to come!
Sandra Hayley took the words right out of my mouth, I just heard the news and could not have expressed my feelings for this incredible teacher any better. I am immensely saddened at this news and the enormous hole her passing leaves in the hearts of all of her “students” all over the world. My deepest condolences to her family on their terrible loss.
I too am so sorry to hear this news. I’ve watched many of her videos and even attempted to attend one of their meetings up in Windsor last fall. That was when I first heard that she was not well, I did not know what was wrong but I was still hoping to be able to get out there to meet her. Then Covid came about and absolutely everything I’ve been involved with got canceled. I am truly saddened by this and I hope that she did not suffer. She seemed very sweet and warm and her videos and I know I could’ve learned so much from her. Lis-el Crowley, I pray you Rest In Peace, and are able to look down and see all the fans that you have and know how much your appreciated and missed! My condolences to all her friends and family