Jewelry Artist Barbara McLaughlin defines her work as “Rich Textures ~ Gorgeous Gems”. I am often torn as to which is more important; the rich textures or the gorgeous gems, as both play an important role in how and what I create. Studio space is shared with her husband Robert, a lapidary artist on the seacoast of New Hampshire.
McLaughlin is inspired by natural textures / patterns found in nature. Textural inspirations are interpreted thru techniques such as stamping, roller printing, reticulation and the forging of metal with rusty old hammers. High karat gold is used to create a neutral zone.
Robert is my other half, the lapidary artist who cuts the many gems used in my one-of-a-kind designs!.... opals being my favorite! Oxidizing the sterling enhances the visual impact of the textures, with raised surfaces being highly polished.
Barbara McLaughlin is a self-taught metalsmith with a thirst for knowledge. Armed with her MBA, books become her friend. Experimentation in the studio was substituted for formal training, allowing her to explore techniques freely. She can be heard telling patrons that each piece of jewelry has captured a moment of my life in metal and stone.
And, if you haven't figured it out yet,.......I love to make earrings, asymmeterical ones, cause I am a rebell at heart. After all what man decided that women's earrings had to be mirror images any way.
McLaughlin is inspired by natural textures / patterns found in nature. Textural inspirations are interpreted thru techniques such as stamping, roller printing, reticulation and the forging of metal with rusty old hammers. High karat gold is used to create a neutral zone.
Robert is my other half, the lapidary artist who cuts the many gems used in my one-of-a-kind designs!.... opals being my favorite! Oxidizing the sterling enhances the visual impact of the textures, with raised surfaces being highly polished.
Barbara McLaughlin is a self-taught metalsmith with a thirst for knowledge. Armed with her MBA, books become her friend. Experimentation in the studio was substituted for formal training, allowing her to explore techniques freely. She can be heard telling patrons that each piece of jewelry has captured a moment of my life in metal and stone.
And, if you haven't figured it out yet,.......I love to make earrings, asymmeterical ones, cause I am a rebell at heart. After all what man decided that women's earrings had to be mirror images any way.