Jewelry Artist Barbara McLaughlin describes her work as a planned juxtaposition of metals and rocks, textures and patinas. Studio space is split
between the seacoast of New Hampshire and the west coast of Florida. She shares the available space with her husband, a lapidary artist. Robert cuts each focal gemstone
from an assortment of agates, jaspers and various types of opal in our studio in New Hampshire. Together they create "rebelliously chic jewelry."
McLaughlin creates her jewelry one piece at a time using traditional metalsmithing techniques, including fusing, etching, soldering, stamping, reticulation of metals, roller printing or embossing, forming and lapidary of focal gemstones. The work is fabricated from
a combination of 18K gold, silver (both fine, sterling and reticulated), bronze and various gemstones. Applied patinas whether to the bronze or silver are used to compliment the stones, while generating the last visual contrast.
Barbara McLaughlin is a self-taught metalsmith with a thirst for knowledge. Armed with her MBA from Scared Heart University, Fairfield CT, books became her friend. Experimentation in the studio
was substituted for hands on training, allowing her to explore techniques freely.
Awards
Best in Metal - Cedarhurst Craft Fair, Mount Vernon, IL, 2011
Award of Distinction, Winter Park Side Walk Festival, Winter Park, FL 2011
3rd Place Jewelry – White Plains Outdoor Arts Festival, White Plains, NY 2007
2nd Place Jewelry – White Plains Outdoor Arts Festival, White Plains, NY 2006
Curriculum Vitae
