THE STUDIO IS OPEN JUNE THROUGH OCTOBER IN DEER ISLE VILLAGE
FEATURING THE FULL COLLECTION OF DEVTA DOOLAN
AND WORK BY 50 MAKERS IN JEWELRY CERAMIC AND DESIGN
I’ve been drawn to jewelry since my teens and in my twenties began selling gemstones. After several years I had accumulated a significant inventory. As a stone dealer I’d often wondered what it would be like to make jewelry and consequently took classes at the Worcester Craft Center in Worcester, MA. I was immediately enamored with the process and set up a workbench at the foot of my bed. I worked at the Craft Center for over a year as metalsmith Tim McCreight’s assistant and supported myself by selling my work at craft fairs. I began taking classes at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts on Deer Isle, Maine in the late eighties. In 1991, I worked there as Swiss goldsmith Max Frolich’s studio assistant. Ever since, I’ve supported myself with a combination of commissions, craft fairs and gallery representation.
I’d always dreamed of having my own shop and in 2016 was able to purchase a building in Deer Isle Village. I renovated the historic building and opened my store in June of 2017, a vision imagined became a reality. I’ve spent many summers on Deer Isle, beginning with my time at Haystack, and the island is a constant source of inspiration and contentment. There is a sense of place here that strongly resonates with me in the rugged beauty of the ocean and coastline. This raw and powerful landscape is both grounding and energizing.
Over the years I’ve evolved a style of jewelry that is strongly influenced by ancient and ethnographic cultures while simultaneously integrating a contemporary feel. I most often work with 22K gold because of the warmth and luxuriousness of the color. I use a wide array of precious and semi-precious gems, with the stone often being the launching pad for creation. The richness of the 22K gold with the intensely colored gems creates a visually elegant jewel that is both wearable and empowering.
I feel a deep satisfaction knowing that my work is appreciated, collected and, most importantly, worn by those who see beauty in it. I’ve always believed that wearing jewelry creates a sense of calm and quiet power. Jewelry can signify many things, but I primarily believe it instills confidence and identity in the wearer.
There’s little that feels better than adorning oneself with an object of beauty, knowing what it says about you as the wearer. My hope is that you will find a piece that speaks to you and for you, adding energy and spirit to your life.
