The Smithy

Marstal Smithy is named for the Danish ancestral home of Judy's family, located on the island of Aero in South Denmark, where the family has a long tradition of shipbuilding, smithing, and other fine crafting.

All work is hand made by the artist.

The Artist
I am a preachers kid, a second generation American with family roots in Denmark and Norway. The spare sensibility of the Scandinavian lifestyle imbued our home and is still a major influence in my art.

The first gemstone I ever saw was amber in a pendant that mom brought from Denmark. Today, I use Danish amber and stones of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Greenland in my one-of-a-kind designs.

I work directly in metal and stone. Sometimes stones retain their natural surface. I shape metal with a saw, hammer, file and even a big hydraulic press. Grinding, fusing, soldering, raising, chasing and fold forming are all part of my vocabulary. Unusual techniques in metals are really fun. The wrinkledy look of reticulated metal, the multiple colors of fused gold and silver, the wood grain of mokume gane inspire me. Often I mimic the shape and pattern of natural stone in a reflection done in one of these metal techniques.

Each piece has a special spirit, both from the stones I use and the handwork involved in its creation. I think of my jewelry as talismans, beautiful amulets, happy memories.

Judy Hoch GG

		Judy Hoch graduated from the University of Colorado in mathematics and worked in the computer and financial industries for twenty three years. While at the University of Colorado, she studied fine art and was introduced to metal working for artists. She is a graduate gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America. Judy grows orchids in her kitchen window. The troll is my 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. Want your own troll? Inquiries invited.

Organizations
Colorado Metal Artists (COMA)
Society of North American Gold Smiths (SNAG)
American Crafts Council

To Contact Me
You can reach me by phone, fax, e-mail, or mail:

Telephone:
303-445-1500
Fax: 303-445-1505
E-mail: judy@marstal.com
Mail: Marstal Smithy
PO Box 1902
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034

Much of my work is available in fine galleries across the US. To see my work first hand, contact me by any of the means above, and I will help you locate a gallery in your area.

I also accept custom orders. It is best to contact me directly so I can understand what you like. We accept Visa and Master Card credit cards. When placing an order, be sure to include your name, shipping address, phone number or e-mail address, and credit card number and expiration date. Because e-mail is not secure, I would prefer that you send the other information by e-mail and then call with credit card information.

Within the US, normal shipping is US Priority Mail; FedEx or UPS shipping is available. Sales tax is applicable on Colorado orders.