"The life of the hands-on artisan defies corporate identity," Judith Gayle Wright.
I've always loved a handmade item, savored the feel of it and delighted in looking upon it. My appreciation of handmade jewelry -- and my habit of purchasing a piece when visiting museum shops, galleries,and art fairs -- is what prompted me to enroll in metalsmithing classes. I was hooked the first night of class and knew I had to have my own studio for handcrafting metal jewelry.
Today's jewelry market creates enormous challenges. Not the least of these is the question, "What constitutes handmade?" I have no quarrel with another artist's "handmade" jewelry. He/she knows the degree to which their hands "made" it, and as long as that is made clear to potential customers and the buyer understands what he/she is getting, I believe that is a fair transaction.
JudithGayleDesigns jewelry is all handmade by me, in my studio/workshop, in the USA.
My metal components (including all findings, such as jump rings, s hooks, etc.) are hand-crafted from sheet or wire (silver, gold, copper, brass). I recycle materials as often as possible. My jewelry bears the marks of the traditional tools we metalsmiths use in our craft. The piece may be a bit imperfect; however, that imperfection is a facet of the character of handmade and renders it more precious. Speaking of precious, I believe a thing is precious because it is naturally beautiful, not because laborers in another part of the world had to die to remove it from the ground and get it to market. Almost all the stones and seaglass I use were collected by me personally and minimally processed to preserve their natural beauty.
Each piece from my studio is one of a kind and bears the "JG" hallmark. Nothing is cast, so each time I open my sketchbook to design a new piece, I am back at square one. It is not the most expeditious or lucrative way of making jewelry, but -- for me -- it is the most satisfying. This is art...magic...alchemy...a process to unfold...a creation to emerge...a rare and priceless thing indeed!
Simply put, I cannot imagine creating my pieces any other way. And consistently, my customers say they love their jewelry from my collection. Having a number of repeat customers is pretty strong evidence that I'm on the right track.
The item you see pictured in my Etsy shop is the item you will receive. I strive to take clear photos from various angles. Each item is ready to ship and will go out within 24 hours of purchase. My shipping costs include packaging, which varies depending upon the nature of the item being shipped. A sturdy silver piece might require nothing more than a padded envelope, but a more delicate piece needs a box wrapped in bubble wrap within a second box. I normally ship by USPS; so far that has worked fine. No damage, nothing lost, and prices are "reasonable." If you have special shipping or packaging needs, please let me know and I'll do what I can to accommodate those (with a smile).
William Morris said, "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Life is good! Art is magic!
Be happy! Do what you love!
Reuse! Recycle!
Buy handmade!
I am on the web in a couple of different places:
www.facebook.com/judithgayledesigns
www.twitter.com/judithgayledsgn
