Laura Stamper

Natural forms and the feminine image inspire the wearable art crafted in porcelain, gemstones and fine metals by this Minnesota artist. In Laura’s pieces, each with its own story, depictions of lotus, monarch, orchid and the moon combine with sirens, maidens, mermaids and queens. In a current series, Laura calls on the glamour of old Hollywood, creating work that includes her Marilyn pendant and Lucy ring.

A life-long artist, Laura studied portrait painting and pottery before trying jewelry on a lark. She combines her experience with other materials in this work, first sculpting porcelain miniatures that are decorated with glaze and incorporated with natural gems before being set in metals – Laura uses fine and sterling silver, 18k and 22k gold, and mokume gane, veneered copper-based metals and gold laid over sterling silver.

The New Hope, MN artist, who participates in juried shows nationwide, has observed that although some of her pieces are designed to stand on display as sculpture when not being worn, some collectors of her pieces have framed them to enjoy in the home. “I love the response when people see my work for the first time,” Laura states. “Sometimes they just laugh at the whimsy – that is the response I like the best.
Each piece of wearable sculpture has its own unique personality. Call me crazy, but they tell me who they are and I just provide the hands to help them get here. I also think they know who they are going home with before I do.”