2008 Annual Ornament
"Evergreen Dream"

     Evergreen Dream has been selected as the League of NH Craftsmen’s Annual Ornament for 2008. Juried League members Jeff Lamy and Erica Steinmetz of Bedford, NH hand crafted the ornament using borosilicate glass, a very durable glass that is similar to Pyrex.

     Jeff and Erica have lived in New Hampshire all their lives, and their design for this ornament was inspired by snow-covered evergreen trees. "Our design is a modern twist on Victorian-style glass ornaments," said Jeff. "It is our interpretation of an icicle on an evergreen tree - a form of nature’s decoration - and it also mirrors the deep green color of the tree," said Erica. "The shape and color really came together in a way that represents what the holiday season is all about for us." Jeff and Erica worked together on the design of the ornament, and then had specific roles during its production: Erica created the shape and initial lines, while Jeff added the decorative details and finished the ornament. Their working partnership is an extension of their personal relationship, as they are engaged to be married next spring.

     Jeff and Erica create blown and lamp-worked glass art, including ornaments, pendants, beads, vessels, and sculpture, at their Innervision Glass Studio in Bedford. They primarily work with using borosilicate glass because it is very durable material. "It is also very challenging to work with as it sets up quickly, so you have to work fast before it cools," says Erica. "We make wonderful pieces of art that people can use and enjoy every day, such as bottle openers, picture frames, night lights, even knitting needles."

     Jeff and Erica have been juried members of the League since September 2006. "We both attended the League’s Annual Craftsmen’s Fair when we were younger, so it is a thrill to be part of it now," says Erica. Both were interested in pursuing a career in the arts, particularly in sculpture. Jeff started with ceramics, but began working with glass while attending the New Hampshire Institute of Art in 1999, and then did an apprenticeship in glass. Erica was interested in sculpture, and then got hooked on working with glass after meeting Jeff in 2002. Jeff enjoys the sculpting aspect of glass, and Erica’s interest focuses on color techniques. "Jeff likes to incorporate whimsical critters, such as frogs, dragonflies, and octopuses, in our pieces, and I like to experiment with colors derived from nature," says Erica.

     The League’s annual ornament selection, now in its 21st year, is open to all juried League craftspeople. The ornament is selected by the managers of the seven League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Retail Galleries, which are located around the state. Evergreen Dream ornaments are sold exclusively by the League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Retail Gallery, other League of NH Craftsmen retail galleries around the state, and at the League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair, August 2-10, 2008. Each ornament is signed by Jeff and Erica, dated 2008, and numbered as one of a limited edition. The ornament comes beautifully gift-boxed and sells for $16.50. Major credit cards are accepted when ordering the ornament by telephone at (603) 279-7920.. The ornament can be shipped anywhere in the continental US for $5.00.

 

2007 Annual Ornament
"A Partridge in
a Pear Tree"

     Peggy Roth’s handmade miniature mobile, A Partridge in a Pear Tree, was the League of NH Craftsmen’s Annual Ornament for 2007. The mobile features a peaceful wooden partridge with moveable wings, nestled in a wreath of green leaves.

     A Partridge in a Pear Tree ornaments are sold exclusively by the Meredith Gallery. Each ornament is signed by Peggy, dated 2007, and numbered as one of a limited edition. The ornament comes beautifully gift-boxed and sells for $21. Major credit cards are accepted when ordering the ornament by telephone at (603) 279-7920.. The ornament can be shipped anywhere in the continental US for $5.00.

 

     State-juried League of NH Craftsmen member Susanne Rowe of Grafton, NH, created Gathering Together, a three-dimensional ornament of three birds gathering around a bird feeder. The ornament is made with yellow brass, sterling silver, and pink bronze. Positioned at varying heights, the birds hover around the bird feeder, as if they were feeding from it. This movement produces delicate chiming sounds and patterns of reflected light. "I love bids and have used them as a motif for many of my handcrafted jewelry pieces," said Susanne. "I created this ornament to capture the beauty and graceful movement of them."

     This ornament is a lovely addition to a holiday tree, but is also a decorative mobile that can be displayed year round.

     Each ornament is signed by Suzanne, dated for the year 2006, and numbered as a limited edition. The ornament comes beautifully gift-boxed with an artist statement enclosure card and sells for $28.50. We will ship 1 ornament anywhere in the Continental US for $5.00. Shipping charges increase with quantities. Major credit cards are accepted when ordering the ornament by telephone.

     Elaine Russell's creation of a small, hand-painted, cloth doll was the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's Annual Ornament for 2005. Entitled Holly, the ornament is a 3.5-inch girl doll, with hand-painted features, a wool scarf, hat, and jacket, and a paper skirt with glass glitter accents. This wass the first textile ornament to be selected by the League for its annual ornament.

     Elaine, who lives in Greenville, NH, is a state-juried member of the League and she makes folk art dolls by hand. "Being a dollmaker, I set out to create an ornament that I felt personified the holiday season," said Elaine. "I imagine Holly being excited about the holidays and looking forward to a visit with Grandma. It is a snowy day, and she is all bundled up for the cold. As the glittering snow lightly dusts the edge of her skirt, she feels like a princess, dressed up for a special party."

     Elaine started her career as a technical illustrator and drafter. Using her creative and technical skills and interest in folk art, she started a home-based, craftmaking business called Country Friends in 1980. Using traditional hand crafting techniques, Elaine created dolls, painted wood items, and floral arrangements for homes with antique furniture and country motifs. After 13 years, she took her craftmaking business into the wholesale market under the name Pig Pen Hill. Elaine became a state-juried League member in 2003. "I enjoy working with textiles and materials to make dolls that represent an earlier era," said Elaine.

     Each ornament was signed by Elaine, dated for the year 2005, and numbered as a limited edition. The ornament comes beautifully gift-boxed with an artist statement enclosure card and sells for $19.00. We will ship 1 ornament anywhere in the Continental US for $5.00. Shipping charges increase with quantities. Major credit cards are accepted when ordering the ornament by telephone.

     Two New Hampshire metalsmiths, Kristine Lane of Weare and Paulette Werger of Dover, collaborated on a stunning nickel silver and glass ornament design that was the League’s Annual Ornament for 2002. Their creation, entitled Snow Crystal, is a three-dimensional six-pointed snowflake made of intricately-shaped and pierced nickel silver with an ice blue glass cabochon center set like a jewel. When suspended, the silver and glass design comes alive by tree or candle light. Displayed in a window, the piece makes a beautiful year-round suncatcher.

     The ornament comes beautifully gift-boxed with an artist-statement enclosure card. Please call for the price. We will ship 1 ornament anywhere in the Continental US for $5.00. Shipping charges increase with quantities. Major credit cards are accepted when ordering the ornament by telephone.