Wedding Bands and "Jewelry Camp"

Well, it has been a busy summer, and as Wedding Band "season" begins to quiet down, I have a little time to reflect...

Working with couples to create their symbols of love and commitment has got to be one of THE most rewarding jobs there is. We are not talking cookie cutter Wedding Rings here. You can get those just about anywhere. We are talking about sitting down and talking and expressing ideas and dreams, building upon those until we all just KNOW the perfect design and representation. Working closely with one another through the process, the couples begin to feel their ideas taking shape- as I share photos of every stage of the process with them. It is such a wonderful feeling to look at my calendar and say Oh! Today is their Wedding!! I had a part in that~ and I am most grateful. 

Inviting the children in my family to come into my workshop for a day or more of "Jewelry Camp" has also been very rewarding. I made my first piece of jewelry in my Dad's garage at age ten. It was the bare beginnings of a lifestyle for me. To introduce a child to "how we do it" is really rewarding, and who knows, maybe it will plant a seed to carry on this old time-honored craft to future generations. To realize that you can create things of meaning and durability with your hands, that will in turn be handed down to future generations, long outlasting the "maker"... that is a gift.

 I feel that being stingy with our knowledge, our craft, hurts everyone. We did not invent the wheel~ sure there are designs that are "ours" and out of respect we do not copy one another. It is my feeling that we all are given the same tools and basic "ingredients", it is what we do creatively, that feeds our souls as artists, that take us each into our own "niche", corners of the world. 

Jewelry

The Joys of a Clean Bench

The Joys of a Clean Bench... 

I find that when my bench is freshly cleaned and rearranged, I am more apt to delve into a new big project. It is a fresh start and full of possibility. Ha, I think I'll go play~ 

Summer in full swing!

The sun has finally made its' debut, it seems. Thankfully ;> 

Wonderful show yesterday at Art in the Park, in Bridgton, Maine , right on the lake at Shorey Park. 

Now that that is done, I can concentrate on the custom orders I need to fill before the end of July! Whew... lots to do, and so grateful for the opportunity! 

I'll post some new and exciting photo's soon... Keep in touch!

And enjoy the summer!!!

Weather suited for a duck... so the good point is~ that directs one inside, inside the studio- should lead to pro"duck"tivity, right?

The metalsmithing classes are taking off well- my students have made some great pieces of jewelry and learned their way around a studio! In my first entry about doing workshops- it was first presented as "winter" classes, but interest has continued into the spring and early summer, so if you are game, so am I! We'll just have to work around show schedules. Not a big problem at all. 

The Wedding Band season is in full force, and as usual, I just LOVE the process of connecting with these beautiful couples and learning their "stories"... it is such a joy creating lasting symbols of love and commitment. 

Okay- time to make "the jewelry"! Stay tuned... ;>

Creative fires have been lit!

I am enjoying a renewed sense of creativity these days... I don't really understand how that works~ you can be so creatively stifled sometimes, and THEN * something clicks and there are not enough hours in the day to try all the ideas that come forth in a wave. I love it, and feel so energized when that happens. Anybody else get that feeling from time to time? 

Heathers' Ring - is Finished !

I am creating the MOST exciting ring- oh don't get me wrong... I've been sitting on this project for a longggg time.... (Thank You Heather for your patience and loving karma :>) But that is how these types of projects go... to be in a rush, to plow ahead before you are ready is a disservice to client, materials and the sources of creativity.  

The thought, planning, and listening that go with this type of adventure is... well- crucial. Then you sit down and play, and something wonderful happens.

It takes over your life. 

It is a birth of ideas.

Born of heirlooms passed down.

Nurtured on the bench.

Worn forever, with intention.

May the long time sun

Shine upon you

All love surround you

And the pure light

Within you

Guide your way on...

                           

                         ~ snatum kaur

Marching on...

I love Spring.. It is nearly here, and is always full of promise, isn't it? 

I have been very busy in the studio lately, with custom jobs. I thank the universe for this, in these weird economic times.  We just keep marching on, day by day, and do our thing, and pray that our leaders will do the right things to heal our nations problems. We all do our daily part, and hopefully that good will all contribute to well-being. 

Eclectic Art

"Cute as a bug, short as a minute, she's a pretty little package with every thing in it... "

lyle lovett- oh yeah... 

Where does inspiration come from? 

Perfect lyrics, upbeat music, art of all mediums, trees, mood, color, a sense of well-being... 

Sometimes things happen in my studio that I cannot quite explain, so I won't try... 

I am loving this new eclectic piece of art- it's a little crazy- but then again- not so much. I'll let you be the judge. 

February means March is NEXT. YAY Spring!

Here it is the middle of February. A busy time in the studio, preparing for summer and stocking galleries and doing shows.  New for me this year is incorporating teaching metalsmithing classes into the mix. Very exciting and fun! We are having a great time, and sharing knowledge is such a good feeling! 

I am currently working on some leaf and vine bracelets to put out in the galleries. Getting in the studio is sometimes a real challenge- so you sit down and the telephone rings! It IS inevitable. There are so many interruptions when you work at home. It is okay though- it is a tradeoff I am willing to make! But it takes a lot to stay productive when there are so many things pulling you in every other direction than work! 

"Enough with the camera"...

Ski Day

It is amazing to me that we got up this morning, looked at the thermometer outside which read 1 degree, and still got ready to go skiing. You know the conditions have to be pretty perfect to do this! Well, by the time I met Shannon at the mountain, it had warmed up to 12 degrees. (It's not even a half hour away- so there was some serious "warming" going on, thank you! The slopes were beautiful and I was SO glad that Shannon dragged me along! You're the best! ;> Great day skiing in New Hampshire! Oh, and it was 22 degrees when we left the mountain. 

Dutch Shoes and Silver Baubles

Happy Monday! 

It's a beautiful sunny day in New Hampshire- okay, it's 12 degrees, but the sun is shining gloriously and there is no wind. Just came back in from snowshoeing, it was wonderful- a nice aerobic break from sitting in my studio. 

But back to work now- working on a "SPECIAL" project for my daughter- a present for her earning her Masters Degree! Yay, Allison!  This is a special request from her and it involves a lot of silver and copper links, some handcrafted beads, textured silver, copper baubles, and... a pair of Dutch Shoes! These are "magical" dutch shoes, mind you. She is a teacher, and one of her very favorite memories is her first grade teacher who had a pair of these magical dutch shoes... dancing shoes. So, to be a proper teacher, she must have these shoes. She WILL have them! 

I'll keep you posted on the progress, as it occurs.

Jewelry Making Workshops!

This is a first for "Laura Guptill Jewelry."  NOW is the time to take advantage of this opportunity- the winter is a great time for artisans to stretch their wings and take people under their wings... the summer and fall months are usually, (prayerfully), too busy to take on such endeavors.  Give me a call and let's make something!  I will only take 2 students per class, but several classes can be offered each week, if there is a need. 

I look forward to working with you and giving you some valuable skills and insight that cannot be learned in books alone.

Turquoise and Sterling Silver Hand Fabricated Pendant

Wren pins/pendants in Bronze and Sterling Silver

Landscape Agate "Mesa"-Sterling Silver w/14K Gold accent

Trendsetter

I propose a new trend! Let's ALL wear a Turquoise Bolo! I love them! Talk about individuality- you need one, I need one...

What do YOU think? 

More jewelry please...

Well, I will focus, focus, focus... Allison suggests that I - "put more jewelry on there, woman!"

Okay...I do get distracted, but that is "the way" isn't it? That is how we express ourselves and invite happy little accidents to occur. Who knows what might be discovered while on a sidetrack? 

But yes, I will post some new pictures of finished jewelry as soon as I do some polishing. It's my least favorite part of making jewelry. How many pieces make it to the polishing wheel and then threaten life and limb? Can be a lot if you are distracted. So, that being said... I usually get a bunch of it together to do all at once, and besides, it can be a very filthy job. 

For the past few days I have been working on a FABULOUS new Turquoise Pendant. I can't wait to share it. It has three gorgeous turquoise cabochons set amongst random circles of silver. 

Oils on Canvas: by Laura and Allison

The following slideshow shows the talents of my fantastic friend, Janet Graham, owner of Tactile Comfort Creations. She creates hand felted purses, snowmen, ornaments, and spins and knits pet hair to create "Memory" pouches from your favorite pets hair. 

This set of "Snow People" are a re-creation of my daughters' Wedding Day! It was a Southwestern inspired wedding, complete with cowboy boots and Handcrafted Turquoise Bolos. Thank you, Jan, for the beautiful Keepsake of a Very Special Day! ;>

Tactile Comfort Creations!

Christmas Season

Well, here we are, 5 days before Christmas. I am working on my last( I think! ;> ) custom job for Christmas. It's been a very nice year, even though the news would have you think otherwise. We just have to be grateful for ALL that we have been blessed with. We learn and hopefully, we grow. My thanks go out to all of my loyal supporters and fellow jewelry nuts...  ;> 

May you all enjoy a Blessed Christmas with your families. Thank You for your friendships. 

Cara' Bracelet!

Handcrafted Wedding Bands

I was asked if I could make a Wren Pin for the "Womens' Rural Entreprenurial Network", (WREN) in Bethlehem, NH. They have a Gallery on main street, named "LocalWorks". 

Their website is www.wrencommunity.org

As you can see by the following slideshow, it began as a few sketches. Through the process of "Chase and Repousse" the metal is moved little by little , with the help of a chasing hammer and small steel chasing tools. It is a long process involving softening the metal periodically, because as the metal is worked, it hardens. This process is called annealing. The metal is worked from the back to give it depth, and then removed from the pitch, annealed, and placed in the pitch again to work it from the front. This goes on and on until the desired look is achieved. The pitch is a forgiving surface, which holds the silver in place while it is being worked, but has enough give to allow the metal to stretch and take dimension.

I hope you enjoy viewing this ancient process.

Creating Wren Pin/Pendant in Sterling silver

Buttons and Sweater

Okay, well I didn't use copper for the buttons- I decided on silver. I finally finished my sweater today. Does it fit? Sort of... it's a little short waisted. I'll just slump ;> Just kidding- it's fine. 

Sort of. 

Making Sterling Buttons

Well, no working in the studio today. I went to a baby shower (which was wonderful), and am finishing up a sweater I started , oh, about two years ago! Almost done, just finishing the neckline now. Next project in my studio will be making the buttons. I think it will be copper and silver for the buttons ;> The wool I knit the sweater with was from my Black Finn sheep, Luna. Not handspun this time though. I was was just aching to start knitting- didn't feel like spending the time carding and spinning, so I had it professionally done for that last fleece. Don't you hate it when you put a project down for a period of time and then try to get back to it and it feels overwhelming because you forget where you left off, or forgot the stitch pattern? Arghh... but perseverance pays off in the long run.

Recent Works

Thanks for checking in on my new blog! I hope to provide a glimpse here of the daily, weekly or "whatever" inspirations that go on in my studio. Some days the creativity flies and some days it doesn't. But that is the way it goes, and learning to go with the flow is all part of life.