From The Bench…

Meet Kim of Betsy Frost Design

Some of you have had the pleasure of meeting Kim at the shop. If you have not, Kim has been with Betsy Frost Design for about 8 years. She’s always had an interest in creating things with her hands. In school, she even took wood shop and loved working with wood and stained glass. She eventually studied silversmithing, and joined our team to learn even more, working alongside Betsy at the Studio & Gallery in downtown Ipswich, MA.

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She can solder anything together and is the first assistant to help Betsy make her prototypes. Fearless, she accepts any challenge thrown her way! Kim can also get a perfect polish on our fine silver and quality jewelry. Kim even showed us her “secret” stash spot for candy at the work bench! Come by and visit the shop sometime and you will have the pleasure of meeting her in person.

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Introducing New Galleries!

    The summer of 2016 has brought many wonderful things including the addition of several new partnerships with different galleries all along the east coast! Betsy Frost Design will now be available at Bella Sophia Boutique in Burnt Hills NY, Mutability in Motion in Stockbridge MA, Ocean Galleries in Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ, and 15 Steps in Ithaca NY. 

    I have been seeing 15 Steps for many years at shows and am thrilled that they have finally placed an order. 15 Steps has sold a variety of american crafts from artisans all over the United States since 1982. They offer a variety of products ranging from jewelry to ceramics. They carry multiple Betsy Frost collections including the acorn, sailboat, mussel shell, and round cage collections.

15 Steps, Ithaca NY

15 Steps, Ithaca NY

    Mutability in Motion located in the Berkshires, came to me after seeing a customer wearing one of my pieces. They admired the piece so much that they reached out to me. Mutability in Motion represents over 45 artisans and their hand crafted works. They are currently carrying an nice assortment from the beach day to the caged collections. 

Mutability in Motion, Stockbridge MA

Mutability in Motion, Stockbridge MA

    Ocean Gallery previously sold my work, even before I debuted the Beach Day collection. I am thrilled to have my work back in their store! Ocean Galleries represent national and local artisans at their various locations, opened since the mid 1980’s, they carry our Beach Day and Cupcake collections, to name a few.

Ocean Galleries, Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ

Ocean Galleries, Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ

    Connie Cocuzzo has been selling my work through Silver Ambiance, her home party company, for almost 20 years. Just this May Connie opened her dream store Bella Sophia Boutique near Saratoga Springs, NY.   Bella Sophia carries my older classic styles as well as newer collections.  Definitely stop in and say hello! 

    Check out any of these locations near you and look out for our next blog with the inspiration behind the new Barcelona collection!

Bringing back the Jester Vase!

I was surprised how many people inquired about the Jester Vase!

I was surprised how many people inquired about the Jester Vase!

These are the laser cut pieces for the vases!  

These are the laser cut pieces for the vases!  

Here's the first prototype!  Don't worry, it's not done yet! 

Here's the first prototype!  Don't worry, it's not done yet!

 

When I opened up the POP-UP shop in downtown Ipswich, I decorated the shop with sculptural pieces that I made when I was at the Massachusetts College of Art.  This is my "Jester" Vase that I used to sell when I first started my business.

This vase is made from brass, plumber's solder and jingle bells!

So many people offerd to buy this one that I decided to look into getting the vase made locally.  A friend recommended Steve from Portsmouth Industrial.  I gave Steve some photos and dimensions and he was able to make a computer generated mock-up in CAD.  Then he got the pieces laser cut.

We decided to have the pieces made in steel and TIG weld them together.  Nihco from Portsmouth Industrial put the prototype together.  He did a fantastic job!  

Here's the first prototype.  Don't worry, it's not done yet!  This vase still needs a patina and it's jingle bells!  I was thinking that black and silver will be a nice finish for this vase in addition to the green and brass color.

These vases will be available soon and will sell for @ $500-$600 depending on the finish.  I will have images for the finished vases soon!

It's amazing how technology has changed since I was in art school!  Steve and Nihco did an amazing job.  They are engineers, artists and metal fabricators and can make just about anything!  Their information is:

portsmouthindustrial.com
and
portsmouthindustrial@gmail.com

Thanks Steve and Nihco!

Contact Betsy directly at betsyfrostdesign@comcast.net with any questions, or if you are interested in having one custom made.

 

 

Betsy Frost Design opens POP-UP Shop in Ipswich, Mass.

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Betsy Frost, owner of Betsy Frost Design in Ipswich, MA, opens her doors on October 15th.  She will be selling her line of sterling silver jewelry as well as gift and clothing items.  The clothing items are from the GROA clothing line--a modern apparel line from Denmark.  Frost will also be selling paintings, furniture, candles, hats, scarves and hair accessories--all from local artisans.

Betsy started her jewelry business in 1997 and sells her creations to jewelry stores and galleries around the country.  "I sell my jewelry to about 100 stores nationwide", claims Frost.  "I was part of a POP-UP shop in Gloucester a few years ago, and found it be a great avenue to sell extra inventory, samples, and discontinued items."  In addition, Frost will be selling her current collections as well as one-of-a-kind pieces.

Frost plans to be open until the end of 2015.  The Pop-up Shop idea has gained popularity over the years and Ipswich is excited to have another shop in town for holiday shopping.  "I look forward to being in town and am very excited for a retail endeavor in Ipswich."