Baby it's cold outside!

With the winter winds howling down from the mountains and across the fields, I find myself homebound in my studio today, the driveway packed with deep snow drifts. The fire is roaring in the woodstove and all is good.
A new box of supplies waits to be opened and played with. Ready to head into the studio to work on a custom ring commission, and perhaps make some new hair barrettes with torch fired enamels on copper. These also double as beautiful shawl pins. Some new enamel colors have been unpacked from my goodie box, and I can't wait to try them out.

On a sad note, I had to say goodbye to my loyal studio mate of nearly 12 years, my sheltie, Jake passed away just before Christmas from congestive heart failure. I will miss him terribly, he was my shadow and so happy to just be by my side. We are dog lovers here, and we have 3 other dogs, who are wonderful, but as you animal lovers know, there is no denying the huge hole left in our lives when we have to say goodbye. Thanks for showing me the way, Jake. xo

Time for YOU!

As the New Year approaches and Christmas is behind us, now may be the perfect time for you to treat yourself!

Do you have a jewelry re-design you have been wanting to have done? Something sitting in your jewelry box that just isn't your style? I can re-work that for you and together we can design something more suited to your taste. Let's get together and talk about a re-design.

Christmas Gift Certificate Bonus!

Christmas Gift Certificate Bonus!

It is that time again! 
Laura Guptill Jewelry is offering a FREE pair of earrings to anyone who purchases a Gift Certificate for a Metalsmithing Workshop during the month of December. 
The workshops would be scheduled after the holidays. 
This makes a nice Christmas morning presentation.

Please visit my "Metalsmithing Classes" page on this blog for more details about the workshop.
You may contact me to purchase a Gift Certificate by calling 603-447-3719, or send me an email at laura@lauraguptilljewelry.com

May your days be Merry and Bright :)
Laura

Something fun, this way comes...

Steel and Sea Pottery

Eye Candy

Trying out some new techniques in my studio these days and loving it.

Jackson Art in the Park, Saturday August 15, 2015

Laura Guptill Jewelry will be at the Jackson Art in the Park in Jackson, NH on Saturday ONLY- August 15th from 10-5 pm.
This is a 2 day show, but I will only be at the Saturday show. Please mark your calendar if you are interested in going. I love the Jackson show, they have so many talented artists under on big tent, live music and food!

Work from the bench of Laura Guptill Jewelry

My "Square Marketplace" is OPEN!

https://squareup.com/market/laura-guptill-jewelry

Please take a moment to visit my NEW Online Market on Square! SO easy to shop!

Visit often and please share with your friends!

I am in the process of filling up my store, new items will be added frequently!

Fascinated by "Memere's Work"

This is my 4 year old grandson on a visit to his "Memere's" workshop. He loves my tools, and is fascinated by every little thing on my bench. He is very respectful about tools and knows there are many mysterious "dangers" in my studio. He always asks permission before touching things and is so curious, asking a million questions- faster than I can answer them!

Cleansing the Studio space!

Every so often, an artist feels bogged down and can't quite put their finger on the problem. What's going on? Where is the inspiration, the passion and the DESIRE to work and create? It is disconcerting, not a good feeling at all.
As I look around my studio, I see remnants of old projects, beginnings of new ones, lots of notes, lots of tools and notebooks, paperwork, All important, and necessary to running a business. However, all the clutter can also bog you down and clutter your mind. It always takes me a while to summon the energy needed to go through it all and make decisions.And, by "a while", I mean weeks, possibly months, before it DAWNS on me, what the problem is...
CLEAN your studio space! Make room for new ideas and exciting new projects.
That is what I have spent the last two days doing: cleaning, rearranging, putting some things away, filing, and scrubbing.
It feels good. Really good!
I am not quite finished yet, but I am most of the way there, and I feel re-energized already.
Whew.

Is it time for a re-design of your Wedding Bands?

Many couples find themselves wanting to "update" their wedding bands for special anniversary gifts. This is a cool thing to do to celebrate how you have evolved as a couple and maybe your wedding rings is a great place to reflect that growth!
10, 15 or 20 or more years down the road from "I do", you may be finding yourselves ready for a new look, or something you couldn't quite afford as newlyweds. This is YOUR time now. I would be happy to sit down with you and help you design a new look, from your existing bands. Yes, I can most likely use your gold to melt down and create a new look for you! Isn't that great? You can keep the sentimental gold of your original bands and use it in your new one if you choose to. Or we can can start from scratch with all new metals. The choice is yours, let's talk!

Have something special made for yourself or someone you love!

I am available for custom commissioning, give me a call to dream up something wonderful for yourself or for someone you love. Graduation? Wedding? Anniversary?
Maybe you have a dance recital coming up or a special birthday you want to commemorate...
Please call me at 603-447-3719 and I will be happy to toss around some ideas with you.

Laura Guptill Jewelry now available at The Cassidy Gallery in Jackson Village, NH

I am so happy to announce that Laura Guptill Jewelry can now be purchased in Jackson, NH at the Cassidy Gallery. A lovely gallery in the quaint village of Jackson.
Destination: Cassidy Gallery, Jackson, NH

Time to think about Wedding Bands

It's that time of year when all of the little details are coming together for your wedding, and time to think about the rings you will exchange when you say "I Do".

Your rings become a part of you. You will relish them every day. Long after all the other parts of your Wedding Day have become a memory, you will wear this band of gold as a symbol of your love and commitment to each other.

I can help you create a ring that speaks to you of your love, and your life together.
Please give me a call to discuss the many options available to you. 603-447-3719

I would be honored to make your Custom Wedding Rings.

Love the Mountains? You need a Mountain Band!

If you grew up in the mountains, visit the mountains, hike the 4000 footers, or just love the outdoors, my Mountain Band is something that will feel right at home on your finger.
I can make you a very personalized ring that will keep you in the mountains anytime you look at your hand. I can do any mountain range of your choosing, or you can ask me to make you my Presidential Mountain Range Band.
This is a perfect time to contact me for your summer Wedding Rings, please contact me at 603-447-3719, or email me at laura@lauraguptilljewelry.com

Valley Women article in the Bridal Edition- Artisan Wedding Bands

Valley Women Magazine featuring Laura Guptill Jewelry- Artisan Wedding Bands

Please visit this link to read the article featuring Laura Guptill Jewelry Artisan Wedding Bands.
Scroll to page 22 and 23 for my article in the Workbench Section.
Valley Women Bridal Edition
Click on "Read it Here" and scroll to page 22 for my article, and page 18 for my quarter page AD.. Thank you for your interest.

Metalsmithing Class BONUS offer for Christmas!

For a limited time only, Laura Guptill Jewelry is offering an EXTRA BONUS for Metalsmithing Class Gift Certificates!
From now until December 24th when you purchase a Gift Certificate for someone you love, (or even YOURSELF) you will receive a FREE pair of earrings! A $50 value!
Classes to be scheduled at your convenience, after the holidays. What a wonderful thing to do in the dead of winter- you know it's coming!
Prepare, have something to look forward to, learn something new or increase your knowledge, classes built to suit your needs if you already have experience. Absolute beginners? THIS is also for you! I will teach you the basics you will need to know to create your own precious metal jewelry,
Please give me a call at 603-447-3719.

Check out my "Metalsmithing Class" page on this blog for more information.

To thine own self be true...

Quotes. I love them. They make you think and re-think your goals sometimes.
While researching Edward Everett Oakes, a jeweler from Sugar Hill, NH, born in 1891. I am reminded of what I love to do. To get lost in the creation of beauty. To let the metal take you where it wants to go, and to get caught up in the magic of it. To get bogged down in trends and what the masses want is a trap. "Build it, and they will come." If they don't, it was not for them. If they love what you do, it is because it was meant to be. The life that a piece of jewelry takes on in creative hands and open minds tells stories. Not bound by the latest fad. Nothing grinds creativity to a halt more than trying to please everybody.
This quote from Edward Oakes speaks volumes to me...

"The whole duty of a jeweler is to satisfy himself. A true jeweler always plays to an audience of one. Let him start sniffing the air or glancing at the trend machine and he is as good as dead, although he may make a good living.  Choose a suitable design and hold to it.."

When admiring handcrafted, fabricated jewelry, try to imagine the thought process the jeweler was engaged in, what music or art was a source of inspiration? Or, not only jewelry, but art as a whole...What experiences did that artist bring forth to this item wrought by hand and heart... To create art in any form is food for the soul.

We all need to pay our bills, yes, however, when you lose sight of the reason why you make art, because of money; creativity and art grinds to a screeching halt. Let it not be about money. Let it be about beauty, from the heart, the rest will follow.

Crisp Fall Air and Making Jewelry

As much as I dislike seeing summer as a fading memory, the September air is refreshing and inspiring!
These are days filled with apple crisp, homemade pesto from the garden basil plants; squash and tomato galore, and a desire to hunker down in creativity in my workshop.
My plans for today? To finish working on a triple turquoise artisan necklace in sterling silver and then on to create a memory locket with some fur of my daughters "once in a lifetime" dogs fur in a domed epoxy (magnifying effect). Hogan was a yellow lab, he lived to be 13 years old, and in all of his life, he never, ever misbehaved. He was the ultimate companion. Full of love and joy for everyone he met. He was the man about town, everyone knew him and loved him. Saying goodbye to this precious boy was an experience full of sadness, but also chock full of love for all the years of devotion he gave. I hope that he is chasing soccer balls over that rainbow bridge to his hearts content and swimming in the rivers of heaven.
Now to get to work and create a work of love.

Custom Mountain Wedding Bands

Laura Guptill Jewelry specializes in custom mountain range wedding bands. These beautiful new rings were designed by Laura and her clients, side by side, sketches taken from their digital photograph. We discuss sizes, widths, precious materials to be used, amount of detail and final finishes. I will listen to your ideas, and we may also discuss options not previously thought of.  The beauty of this process comes from their "story"... The meaning behind the choices always comes forth and the journey is clear...

I do have the best job I could ever have dreamed of. The beautiful people I get to meet and work with make my job so rewarding. Best wishes Angie and Matt.

Guitar Rings!

I have had my Original Acoustic Guitar Ring cast and am now able to offer it in Sterling Silver for $80!

The original design was very labor intensive and each one was made, completely from scratch, one at a time and therefore the price was much higher. Now that I have had them cast I can now offer these at a much more affordable price. They also are available in 14K Yellow Gold, for $800. this is a built in option on my ETSY site. Please visit:   My Etsy Store 

Metalsmithing Workshops

Laura Guptill Jewelry, located in a private studio in the Mount Washington Valley, NH, is offering metalsmithing workshops. Enrollment is on an open basis- call to schedule a time for your very own private workshop! 

You just cannot beat "one on one" instruction! How rare is that? It is time well spent for anyone who has an interest in creating beautiful, handmade jewelry. The basics will be covered and ample time will be spent on learning how to solder. I have developed a class that gives you a skill that will set you apart and give you confidence to move forward in the direction you wish to go!

For more advanced students, with some prior experience, classes can be tailored to fit your needs. 
If you have already taken the basics class- we can spend our next sessions concentrating more on specific areas in which you want to gain further knowledge and experience under the guidance of an experienced jeweler.

Anyone who has taken a class from me, knows that they get a wealth of knowledge and experience, coupled with great enthusiasm for the craft.

If you have been thinking about doing this for while, this is for you ;) Let's make something!

Summer Craft Fair Schedule:

~Laura Guptill Jewelry~ 

Unique Artisan Handcrafted Jewelry in Silver, Gold, Copper and Gemstones

Summer Craft Fair Schedule

Art In The Park

Shorey Park

Bridgton, Maine

Saturday July 20, 2013

9 am- 4pm

(rain date- Sunday July 21)

Freedom Arts and Crafts Fair

Freedom Elementary School

40 Loon Lake Road

Freedom, NH

Friday August 9, 2013

9:30 am- 3pm

White Mountain Art and Artisan Festival

In Jackson Village Park

Jackson, NH

Saturday August 17, 2013

10 am- 5pm

AND

Sunday August 18, 2013

10am- 4pm

Summertime.... ahhhhhh, bliss.

Okay- we were patient and waited and now summer has arrived!
Things are as busy as ever in my studio- getting ready for summer artisan craft fairs- (stayed tuned- I will be posting soon as to which fairs I will be in), and that means making LOTS of jewelry every day!! Yay!

My teaching schedule is exciting- having the opportunity to share knowledge with excited and "eager to learn" students is always a joy. I remember being a young teenager wanting to learn all I could, and taking workshops and classes with experienced and equally enthusiastic metalsmiths who were generous in their sharing of age old techniques and "secrets" of the bench. It really doesn't matter how old you are- as learning is a life long adventure. It's never too late to learn a new skill.

Laura Guptill Jewelry is now available at The Local Grocer!

The Local Grocer has made a gorgeous expansion into the former White Mountain Artisan Gallery building on White Mountain Highway in North Conway, NH. Utilizing the beautiful new space, Heather Chase is also offering local art and now Laura Guptill Jewelry can be found here. Please stop in for all your organic health needs, yoga classes, and green and local gift ideas! 

 

"Like" on Facebook!

Did you know you can follow "Laura Guptill Jewelry" on Facebook? Please "like" and SHARE with your friends!

"Wedding Season"

Here it is nearing the end of May, and "Wedding Season" is upon us!
Do you fear it is too late to have a Custom Commission made? Don't worry- most likely it is not. Give me a call and I will give your commission utmost priority.

Do you want to make them yourselves? For each other? I offer "Make Your Own Wedding Bands" workshops right here in my studio in the Mount Washington Valley, NH. It will be a days experience you will likely never forget! Give me a call to schedule a time @ 603-447-3719.

Be sure to check my blog page all about the workshops.

Last minute gifts~ Mothers Day, Graduations, Birthdays, Anniversaries?

Do you have a special moment to celebrate? I have some great ideas... send me an email, pay me a visit, let's get it done!