From Ann Schunior, a local potter:
Longtime Wellesley resident Ruth Treitman has reached a milestone: $75,000 raised for juvenile diabetes research through the sale of her silver jewelry at the Clever Hand Gallery in Wellesley Center.
Treitman often incorporates woven chains, based on ancient techniques, into her bracelets and necklaces. As a former math teacher at Dana Hall School, she sees a definite link between her love of geometry and her current work. In 1999 she joined the Clever Hand Gallery, a cooperative gallery in downtown Wellesley selling fine crafts by local artists.
“I started making jewelry when I joined a silver smithing class about 20 years ago, at a friend’s suggestion. I always liked handcrafting,” Treitman says.
Treitman has always donated the proceeds from her sales to support worthy causes. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation became her charity of choice after her granddaughter Jo was diagnosed with the disease in 2005. Every item that she sells at the Gallery includes a card, “On behalf of Jo and children like her, thank you!”
Ruth and her husband Stan, whose four children graduated from Wellesley Public Schools, have lived in the town since 1967. Now living at Wellesley Green, they are among the founders of Wellesley Neighbors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to healthy aging.