Peace and Love

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones. The magic is upon us as we reflect on our lives with childlike wonder.
May your Holidays be filled with joy, love and gratitude.
My sincere thanks,
Laura

Christmas Ideas

Here we are on the countdown to Christmas!

Do you know someone who would love to make their OWN jewelry? I offer basic metalsmithing classes that will enable you to learn some valuable skills. Some people like to take the classes because it is something they have always wanted to do. Others just want to make the projects made in the classes to add to their own jewelry wardrobe. Either way it is a WIN-WIN situation! You will make and complete at least two projects, possibly three, depending on how you progress through the classes.
SO... this makes a great gift idea for that special person in your life- purchase a GIFT CERTIFICATE before December 21, Winter Solstice, and you recieve a free pair of earrings to include in the gift envelope! Check out my "Metalsmithing Classes" page on this blog for more details on the class.

OR... you could always do a little shopping on my ETSY website.

Have something more personal in mind? Let's create something custom! I am always available to discuss ideas with you.

I hope you have a joyful Christmas, filled with peace, contentment and love.
All my best
Laura

Gift Certificate for Christmas? Extra Bonus!

A Gift Certificate for Metalsmithing Classes would make an AWESOME Christmas Present! To make the deal even sweeter, I will include a free pair of earrings to include in the Christmas envelope! Limited time only!
Call me now to reserve~ 603-447-3719

Testimonial:

Hi Laura,

What a wonderful weekend I had. Thanks for your great instruction.

You are a fantastic teacher. You made me very comfortable with all we did. We worked on ways that helped me feel good about doing the fine

work that we were trying to accomplish. Going to your workshop I had

the idea that i would be just having a fun time with my friend Karen, meet you, and try something new. Well it exceeded that. You showed me a great appreciation of jewelry making and a new way to look at

jewelry that I see.

You also inspired me to try new things!!! And

when trying new things, to adapt to how to accomplish them. The workshop also will make me a better instructor as well...

Finding out things that are hard for me helps me understand others better. Hope to

come again some day for another workshop.

Thanks a million,

Cathy

Great Workshop Weekend!

Friends Karen and Kathy came to Laura Guptill Jewelry Studio for a long weekend workshop, and boy, did we have fun! I love the spirit of these two ladies. 

The projects that we worked on gave Karen and Cathy some new skills and satisfied the desire we have to create with our hands. Beginning with raw materials, they each created a hand forged sterling silver link bracelet. Each of them chose to create a different type of clasp that had special meaning for them. The entire process was a joy to walk through with them as they discovered how good it feels to create their own hand wrought jewelry. They each made a few different projects which taught them how to cut, file, solder, hammer, finish, as well as some cold-connection techniques that can be done without a soldering station.
I know for certain that I am a lucky person to call this work.

Workshop Weekend!

I am looking forward to a fun weekend workshop coming right up!
Sign up with me to learn a new skill and make yourself a couple of cool projects to go home with and wear with pride, you MADE it!
I teach metalsmithing in my studio, usually one on one. This weekend I have two friends coming together to take the workshop- space may be a little tight, but we will have a good time and they will each learn how to cut, file, saw, sand, solder, hammer and finish their own jewelry. They will make a hand forged sterling silver link bracelet and a pair of earrings or other project based on skills they will learn in the studio.

If this sounds like fun to you and you have always wanted to learn "how to do that",  give me a call and schedule a workshop with me. 603-447-3719.
More information available about classes on the Metalsmithing Classes page.
Look forward to working with YOU!

Make Your Own Wedding Band Workshop

What a successful and fun workshop day yesterday with George.
George had some ideas for a very special and unique Wedding Band, actually he had TWO very wonderful ideas. So we made them both and now he and his love get to choose which one will be "the" one!
The creative process is indeed a beautiful miracle. For someone to be flexible enough in their ideas to know that sometimes magic happens at the bench that we cannot foresee, leaving our options open is sometimes a beautiful gift.
Best Wishes George and Lori!

Here are a few photos from a great day in the studio:

Testimonial from Wedding Band Workshop

Good Evening Laura,

What a fantastic day!  We're sure it will live in our memories forever and we're so pleased you could be our mentor for the experience.  Bill found himself sporadically smiling all day, I spent 2 hours on the phone with my mother recounting all the fun we had, and we both keep checking on the rings to make sure they are truly there and as perfect as we thought we had made them.

We can't tell you how much your excitement added to our enjoyment. :)

Thank you again,

Gillian and Bill

And another...

It's barely a week later and Bill and I are still flying high from our fabulous workshop experience. :) 

Restoring a 1930 Class Ring

Here I am hammering down the new bezel created for this 1930 14K Gold Class Ring. The old bezel had thinned out and worn away so much that the original stone was lost. My customer has chosen an amethyst cabochon to replace the original black onyx stone. 

 Smoothing and brightening the bezel after setting the new stone.

Working on antique, sentimental rings can be very tricky, and a little stressful, but is also very rewarding to be able to put this ring back on someone's' finger. 

Gillian and Bill- Wedding Band Workshop

Today marks the first of my Wedding Band Workshops, and what a day it was! Many thanks to Gillian and Bill, who were the first to inspire me to offer these workshops!
We began the day with the introduction to the studio, tools, equipment, and procedures... plowing ahead into some sterling prototypes, which proved immensely helpful at reducing stress.
Then came time to make THE rings! And wow, did they "get" it! Excellent students, Gillian and Bill intuitively followed instructions and knew what they were after. They were able to create these gorgeous handmade wedding bands for each other, an event they will likely never forget, and will prove to be so meaningful as they build their new lives together. I am feeling extremely privileged to have taken some part in this endeavor with them.
The day was fun, full of learning and imparting of knowledge and craft, interrupted by a lunch "on the porch", consisting of grilled panini sandwiches, pesto tortellini and specialty brewed beers from "The Good Beer Store", of Fryeburg, Maine.
Returning to the studio after a much needed break, Gillian and Bill continued work on their 14K Gold Wedding Bands, by filing, sanding, and preparing for polishing. It was a long day filled with much love and laughter.
I am honored to have been host to this special event.
Hats off to you, Gillian and Bill!

Riding the wave...

Some days seem stagnant to an artist. Some days do not, like today for instance! I woke up with so many ideas circulating around in my head, I had to jot some down before I lose them. It always takes me by pleasant surprise when I feel overwhelmed with the options for the day, as some days really don't jive with my creativity. That is when I don't force it. I find it better to let it happen when it is supposed to, rather than bull my way through a project and hit roadblocks at every turn. When the  ideas come, they come full force and that is when I ride that wave. How much fun is this! Time to get to work ;)

Make your own Wedding Bands Workshop

Laura Guptill Jewelry is happy to announce a new workshop for engaged couples who wish to make their own wedding bands. This workshop is intended for the sole purpose of creating simple, gold wedding bands for each other. It is a full, one day workshop, where you will learn just what you need to accomplish the creation of your rings for each other. You will learn to measure, cut, file, sand, solder, 

and polish your own rings. 

Located in the heart of the White Mountains of NH, you can plan your getaway to include this full day of goldsmithing under the guidance and expertise of an experienced jeweler. You will shape with your own hands, the rings that will unite you in marriage. 

The day will begin with some basic metalsmithing skills and knowledge you will need to undertake this project, in a simple and straight forward manner.

We will break for a light lunch complete with a bottle of wine, champagne or locally brewed beer, to celebrate your accomplishments. 

We will get back to work in the studio to file, size, shape and finish your rings in one day.

Package pricing will vary depending on the current metal market, sizes, width, and thickness of your rings. 

Join me in my studio for a day you will never forget.

I look forward to working with you :)

The finished product! 

Memories revived into a new, custom mounting.

See previous post for the rest of the story...

Time marches on...

It is an honor to make memories come together for someone who has lost a loved one. I am in the process of melting wedding bands and re-using the engagement diamond into a brand new ring combining all of the golds, and giving my customer a ring that holds all of her memories dear, while moving on from the wedding set.

Please contact me if this is something you are ready to move ahead with, to get on with the business of living, while cherishing the love that defined you.

This is just the beginning... Stay Tuned for upcoming pictures of progress :)

Mother's Day

Metalsmithing Classes! Don't forget to tell your sweetheart you'd like to take my workshop and learn how to make your own jewelry! You will go home with two SUPER projects completed! 
What a thoughtful Mother's Day gift! 
If that is not your cup of tea- then please consider visiting  Lonestar Jewelers on Main Street in Conway, or Northeast Gems in Fryeburg, or the League of NH Craftsmen in North Conway to purchase her a Laura Guptill Jewelry original. 
I bet she'll be tickled!

Are YOU the "keeper" of some family jewelry?

 If you have some of Dad's or Grandpa's old cufflinks, or sentimental coins or tie tack perhaps, and it is just sitting in a drawer, unusable, have you ever considered having it converted into something you can wear and enjoy? What a beautiful way to keep them near and dear to your heart- that is exactly what we did in this case for my customer. Now she can enjoy them in a way that would make Dad (or Grandad?) proud... Give me a call and let's design something special for you.

Wedding Season? Custom=Unique and highest quality.

It is Wedding Planning Season~ so, if you are looking for engagement or wedding bands, I hope you will look around my blog and be inspired to come see me and have yours custom made by me. Let's get together and have a talk about what is in your minds eye and create something beautiful that you will wear with love and pride for many years to come. Don't buy cookie cutter when you can have gourmet! By not having a "store", I think you will find my pricing very affordable for custom work. Please give me a call to arrange a consultation.

Make it a great day!

I also can make Bridal Party Jewelry, or a cake topper, like this copper tree, strung with pearls and turquoise, embedded in a heart shaped natural riverstone. The tree represents the winds of life and the strength of love to bend in the high winds and not break... lovely...

New Page Tabs- Easy to Navigate

I have added page tabs to the top navigation bar, I hope it will help you find the information you may be looking for. If you are looking for something special and unique, I hope you will contact me for a consultation. Let's see what we can come up with for you that fits your lifestyle, dreams and budget.

Good Morning Spring!

I am waiting for the sunshine, a little impatiently, but I am certain it will come. It teased us a few days last week. In the meantime it is a good time to work in the studio. Also, my latest distractions again have been oil painting... I have recently finished this painting of a Boxer for a friend, and am not quite finished with this cat (my Olive) but am further along than I thought I would get- turns out cats are very hard to paint... could be because it is my first attempt at a cat painting, but still. Still some tweaking to do, but I am pretty happy with the direction it has taken.

Newly added: Just a few years late ;) Allison and Dave's Wedding 2008

Shop Online for Laura Guptill Jewelry

My ETSY Store- Purchase Online!
Click here

Metalsmithing Classes Information

Absolute Beginner Class

~ Introduction to: Studio Set- Up

~ Beginning soldering skills, basic forging, sanding, filing and finishing techniques.

~ Work on and complete a pair of earrings and a hand forged bracelet.

Individual Classes~ One on One

Individual Attention Guaranteed!

Approximately (3), 3 hour classes... based on how we move through the projects...

Studio and Materials Fee: $85

Tuition: $265

Total: $350

Call to schedule according to your availability.

603-447-3719

Classes can begin anytime.

"Beyond Basic" Classes also available, call for information and pricing.

For more advanced students, I can offer more of an "open studio" format, to focus on areas you need help with.

Call to discuss your individual situation.

Checks, Paypal and Cash accepted.

Welcome 2012!

It is on my mind year round, but the NEW YEAR always seems like such a good time to say thank you. Thank you to my new customers and my faithful followers. If you know me and follow my jewelry 'escapades", you know that you "just never know" what I'm going to try next.
My jewelry doesn't fit into any mold or pre-concieved notions of what "ought to be"... I am always inspired by different things, moods, materials, etc... This is a very exciting concept for me. I don't get bored and neither do you!
I appreciate each and every one of you for giving me encouragement, introducing me to new ideas and stretching my boundaries.
Just one more thought : "Jewelry is meant to be worn!". Don't save it for some special occasion, enjoy it as often as you can!
Be well my friends, and may 2012 bring you peace, love, prosperity and well-being. Enjoy your loved ones every day and be good to yourself, and our planet.