August 24, 2024 

By Design - A Retrospective

In 1969 a friend said to me... "You'd be good at this" and with these words, my journey as a jewelry designer began.(I don't remember anyone ever saying that to me so I paid attention). She was demonstrating how to make jewelry using the Lost Wax process by using an exacto knife, candle for heat, and a needle stuck in a cork. She then proceeded to cut a pieces of wax into a design and seal them together using the heated needle. Even though I didn't know the rest of the process, I was hooked.

I think of my early designing career as a life preserver. I was set adrift at a young age (23yrs old) and had to fend for myself and my two year old daughter. I had very little education, very little financial support, and very little self confidence. But what I did have was a new strength of conviction... I could do this. At the time I was living in Denver, Colorado which had a thriving art scene. I met a number of people who helped me to move forward (unfortunately their names are lost to time). I did not have my own equipment to  make  jewelry but through serendipity I met people who did and who shared. My first ring looked like a tooth awaiting a filling... no kidding... it was ugly. Then one day I was walking across a park on my way to pickup my daughter from day care. I looked up and saw a cloud, shaped like a bird with its wings outspread and thought... I can capture that! I couldn't wait to get home and create. It was my very first original piece (and I wish I still had it!). Many of my first designs were not nature oriented but from the world of fantasy. I loved tales of dragons, mermaids and elves... mostly from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. And as you can see from the photos at the end of this piece... I still love the imagery!

Once again in 1970 a friend came to my aid and her name was Liz. She had moved to Alaska to be with her new husband and wrote many times telling me I would thrive there because no one  was designing like me. She was so supportive of my creativity that I decided to make the move (but it took almost two years to save the funds)and I still owe her a huge debt of gratitude.  I knew I wanted a different life... one that was more connected to nature and Alaska called. In the summer of 1972, my daughter, a friend (Emily) and I set out in an 1947 flatbed farm truck with a hand-built camper (Lord... I wish I had a photo), $500 and a triple AAA card (no cell phone & no credit card). It was both terrifying and breathtaking and that old truck got us there, barely... the last 500 miles it used a quart of oil every 25 miles.  Our lives began again in Alaska and thanks to a wonderful man, Richard Gumm, together we lived, loved, raised our family and created a business for the next 50 years.

In 1984 we moved briefly to Boston, Massachusetts for Richard's year at Harvard. We owned our home in Ester, Alaska at that time and I had both shop and equipment. I was still designing one of a kind pieces (I didn't think much of production work). But moving to a new city created something called 'homesickness' and I dreamed of picking blueberries and cranberries. I had brought my wax tools and one day decided to create some berries. After returning home it became apparent that the business needed to support itself. A meeting with a local craft shop owner, Gloria Fischer (Artworks) helped me see that my new berry designs needed to be production pieces.  In the early 90's I attended a wholesale show with my new line. There I met the owner of a new catalog.. Coldwater Creek. He placed a huge order and Judie Gumm Designs was born. The rest as they say is, History!

I am happy to say that I am enjoying my retirement here in Green Valley AZ. I still have a small studio...in the garage (it is after-all where it all started in Ester those many years ago). I have a shop on Etsy where I sell my creations. Below are photos of some of my newest pieces. Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear from you.   Best, Judie

Loong Wood Dragon Ring (sold)                                              Mermaid Ring  (sold)                                                 Trillium Ring