Welcome to GaleForce Design Jewelry
Hi, I’m Gale Dashner Schadewald, the creative force behind GaleForce Design Jewelry. Welcome to my world of copper jewelry, where each piece is crafted to capture the essence of nature. Known for my acid-etched designs, I transform everyday jewelry into wearable art inspired by the natural world.
From Childhood Creativity to Jewelry Art
My journey into artistry began at a young age. Some of my earliest life memories are of drawing and creating art. At just four years old, I entered a drawing contest at the county 4-H fair and won $100 and a blue ribbon for my depiction of my favorite thing at the fair—a black dog. Not the carnival rides, cotton candy or games, it was the animals I liked best. I joke that that was my first paying gig!
Inspired by Nature: The Heart of My Designs
Growing up, I spent my days exploring the woods and lake on our countryside property, captivated by the natural world. Plants, turtles, frogs, butterflies, and dragonflies were like childhood friends to me. They inspire the nature-themed designs you see in my work today. Combining my love for hands-on crafting with artistic expression led to the creation of GaleForce Design Jewelry.
Career History
Before my ventures in graphic design and metalsmithing, I spent six seasons as a Wildland Firefighter. Two of those seasons were on an Engine Crew in Detroit Lakes, MN, working for the Department of Natural Resources. Subsequently, I served four seasons stationed in Monument, CO, as part of a Helitack Crew with the United States Forest Service. It was during this time that I became a certified Helirappeller, rappelling out of helicopters for quick transportation to wildfires.
During one of my off-seasons, I pursued certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Upon returning for the following fire season, I became the crew’s dedicated EMT. By the time I left the Helitack crew, I had achieved several certifications in Wildland Firefighting, including Helicopter Crewmember, Firefighter Type 1, and Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5).
A New Creative Path
After leaving the fire industry, I began working at a retail store serving the fire community. I started as a customer service representative and, over 11 years, moved into graphic design roles, eventually becoming Graphic Design Manager. This experience sharpened my eye for design and creativity, laying the groundwork for my jewelry-making journey.
In 2014, I began exploring jewelry-making seriously, balancing my day job with a growing passion for crafting unique pieces. For three years, my evenings were dedicated to creating jewelry that gradually gained recognition in art shows, galleries, and gift shops.
In the fall of 2017, I took a bold step, leaving my established career in graphic design to fully commit to metalsmithing and freelance work. This leap marked a pivotal moment in my entrepreneurial journey, allowing me to immerse myself entirely in the world of jewelry-making.
Interviews
- For more on how my diverse career path and passion for art led to GaleForce Design Jewelry, read the Shoutout Colorado interview here.
- Explore the inspiration and challenges behind GaleForce Design Jewelry in my interview with CanvasRebel here.
- Discover more about my journey, the drive behind my work, and the inspiration for GaleForce Design Jewelry in the Bold Journey interview here.
Fun Facts About the Artist
- Featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as a “Fun, Fearless, Female” for wildland firefighting work (photos below).
- A passionate enthusiast of all things pirate, bacon, and cotton candy (order of preference depends on the day).
- Held the title of homecoming queen. 👑
- A dedicated rockhound, often embarking on adventures with my husband to discover Earth’s beautiful treasures.
- Once wore the Smokey Bear costume for presentations to school kids, resulting in an amusing pants-pulling incident! 🤣
- Originally from Minnesota, with fond memories of growing up by a lake and a future aspiration to live by one again!
- Wholeheartedly cherish my loving feline companion, Pearl – the notorious Black Pearl the Pirate Cat.
