JET Artisan Profile - Laura Stamper of laurastamperdesigns

Hi! I'm Laura Stamper, the owner / artisan of the Etsy shop laurastamperdesigns where you'll find many examples of my one of a kind jewelry creations.

I have always loved art. I was the little kid who drew pictures on the walls and made sculptures out of mud.

I collected and saved everything, took it apart and tried to make something new. I might have been the last one picked on the playground, but I was always the first one picked for any art project!

Asymmetrical Amethyst Earrings

I think the first time I made jewelry I was 11 or 12.

I painted birds on seashells that I had collected on vacation in Florida and turned them into earrings. My art background is painting, but I have experimented with many mediums. I can't really say what inspires me, because I find inspiration in so much. The shape of a stone, paintings by the masters,nature of a fable of story can send me in a new direction.

Modern Cameo Art Brooch of Eve and the Serpent

In the mid 1980's, I started working with porcelain on a potters wheel and hand building sculpture. I made little pieces of jewelry out of the scrap pieces and decorated them in little whimsical designs.

In 1991, I was laid off from my job and decided I wanted to pursue my art as it has always been my passion. I used my severance pay to invest in a small kiln and supplies and enter into art shows. By 1996, I went as far as I could go with just the porcelain pieces so I took a 16 hour crash course with a master goldsmith. I love that I get to incorporate these varied skills into my work.

Many of the techniques I use are unconventional. I love to experiment and try things that "shouldn't work".

Recently, I have begun to teach classes at Quench Jewelry Arts in Minneapolis where I an having fun

Water Cast Sterling Silver Ring with Peridot and 23k Gold

sharing some of these methods.

I would be hard pressed to say what my favorite part of creating is. There are so many steps to what I do and I relish all of them.

By doing the initial sculpture and then seeing the piece come to life through the glazing process allows me to utilize my love for illustration and painting. And who doesn't love playing with fire!! Working with metals and the torch are just too much fun.

My favorite tool might be my flex shaft. I use it in every phase of my work, from the clay to finishing the piece.

As far as what I like to make the most, that would be something I have not made before. I like to push my artistic envelope.

Statement Gold Nugget Ring with Amethyst

My most recent adventure has been in primitive casting. With this technique, I am recycling my scrap while allowing the shapes to add new dimensions to my work. I think next, I would like to try my hand with more advanced casting techniques.

Currently I sell my work on etsy and in select galleries and art shows. I also design for the catalog Uno Alla Volta.

When I'm not creating, I spend time with my husband, grand kids, two cats, a dog and an incredible group of friends.

How lucky can one gal be?

Here are some links to my jewelry shops, my blog and the social networks I'm active on:

www.laurastamper.com
www.etsy.com/shop/laurastamperdesigns
www.facebook.com/laurastamperdesigns
twitter.com/LauraStamper
laurastamper.blogspot.com/

And here's a look at what you'll find in my Etsy shop!

My Studio!