About The Artist

" My work is complicated to make and simple to wear. It comes alive when worn. It is comfortable, timeless and evokes memories yet to come. Each piece comes from my hands and the spirit of those who came before me."

A second generation American–Dane, and a preacher’s kid, I was born in Nebraska and attended school in Brush Colorado. I graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in mathmatics, minor in physics.  I spent quite a few years in the corporate world of computers as a manager and a programmer. I don't miss it.

My new life began with my primary education in metal-smithing at Arapahoe Community College studying under Richard Sweetman. In addition, I have taken workshops from masters such as Lee Marshall, Phil Poirier, Thomas Mann, Richard Messina, Jerry McClure, Carol Webb and Michael Boyd. These wonderful teachers enthusiastically shared their expertise and passion for metalworking. I teach to pay back the pool of expertise so generously shared. I am a Graduate Gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad, California.

My family came from Marstal on the island of Æro in Denmark. They were shipbuilders and smiths for the shipbuilding industry in the late 1800s. I wanted to honor that tradition and so have named my studio the Marstal Smithy. I love visiting the old town of Marstal with curvy streets, and the church with models of sailing ships hanging from the ceiling. I can almost imagine how the town was when my grandfather Karl Rasmussen lived there over 100 years ago.

The first gemstone I recognized was amber in a pendant my mother brought from Denmark. While I use many traditional gemstones in my work, I have a special love for Danish amber and stones of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Greenland in my one-of-a-kind designs. The spare sensibility of the Scandinavian lifestyle imbued our home and is still a major influence in my art. I love the work of Georg Jensen.

How I work: 

While I engage in workmanship of risk, my design vocabulary includes balance, order, reflection and asymmetry. My shapes often come from mathematics and range from the simple geometry of squares, elegant triangles, and sections of that perfect shape – the circle – to the chaotic predictability of Fibonacci series.

My tools range from the traditional goldsmith’s hammer to a big hydraulic press. I love the results of heat on precious metal – the textures and colors.

My techniques include fusing, soldering, raising, chasing, hand engraving, reticulating, etching and embossing. My materials are sterling silver, gold, mokume gane – a Japanese style wood grain metal, and reticulated silver. I use gemstones in many ways – as brilliant accents, large focal points and in their natural unpolished beauty.

Most of my art is one-of-a-kind. All unique pieces are signed and numbered. I keep a visual inventory of everything I have made since 2004, and a few before. If you would like a coordinating piece, it is very easy to locate the picture of your jewelry and then to design something that compliments it. Most lost earrings can be re-created accurately too.

Awards and Publicity
American Craft Council Show - St Paul 2011
Downtown Denver Arts Festival, 2010, invited artist
Downtown Denver Arts Festival, 2008, merit award
Grand Junction Wells Fargo Art show, 2008, best of show
La Quinta, CA Festival of the Arts, 2008
Langman Gallery, Bethlehem, PA – 2007 - present, invited artist holiday show
Monsoon Gallery, Willow Creek, PA – 2007 featured artist
Grand Junction Art show, 2007, first place art
Mountain Art Festival, Breckenridge, featured artist 2006
Buyers Market for American Craft - 2006
Walker Fine Art – May 2005
Colored Stone Magazine, one of 10 nominated for favorite jeweler 2005 
Castle Rock Art Festival, Sept 2004, first place jewelry
Keystone Festival Italiana, July 2004, first place jewelry
Evergreen Art Festival, August 2004, third place jewelry
Norsk Høstfest, Minot, ND, invited artist 2003 - 2006
Norsk Høstfest, Minot, ND, best of show 2003
Grosse Pointe Michigan Art Festival, June  2000, invited artist
Castle Rock Art Festival, Sept. 2000, first place jewelry
Foothills Holiday Art Market 1994 - 2003
Traditions... Southwest 1997, Foothills Art Center 
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, 1995 - 2005, invited artist
Show of Hands 1997 Colorado Metal Artists Show
Cider Days, 1999, second place
Canyon walls, Foothills Art Center, Golden, January 1997, invited artist
Keystone Art Festival, July 1998, first place, jewelry
Castle Rock Art Festival, Sept. 1999, first place jewelry
Evergreen Art Festival, August 1999, second place jewelry

Organizations:
Colorado Metal Artists (COMA) Board
Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG)
American Crafts Council
Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths
Salida ArtWorks -- Charter member
MJSA

Publications:
Lapidary Journal March 2005, April - 2005
Tumble Finishing for Handmade Jewelry - author

		The troll is her shop helper, and has stories to tell. She comes from Sandnesjoen in Norway, is very bossy, and has traveled widely. Very good eye for stones. Her name is Torga, and she is made from the wool of the Viking sheep found on our family’s farm in Rongevaer, Norway.

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