Born and raised in Philadelphia, Ahlen began drawing at an early age. By the sixth grade Ahlen displayed writing ability. Ahlen compiled a comic book collection and enjoyed watching sci-fi on TV: including NBC’s Buck Rogers, an early influence.

In high school Ahlen took art courses and played tuba.  He was influenced by artists Gauguin, Magritte and Clemente. After graduating Ahlen attended a community college and two art colleges in the Philadelphia Area.

Ahlen’s college years began a decade of  artistic and intellectual growth.

Resulting in Ahlen’s creation of the 8008 Universe.

Loren Damewood has been creating intricate decorative knots in precious metal for over 25 years, and retired in 2006 from a career in the aerospace industry (“Not exactly rocket science… more like rocket tech.”) to teach workshops on his methods full time. He taught himself the techniques he uses, by trial and error, and delights in helping others to bypass the painful and tedious stages and go right to the shiny stuff.

He usually works in pure silver or 18K gold, though he occasionally tries out other metals, such as titanium and stainless steel, and is primarily interested in the possibilities inherent in the ancient Turk’s Head knot. There are so many combinations available within the general pattern that he doesn’t ever expect to run out of challenging projects.