Brijette Marie

My Featured Work:

My Story

"Being a jeweler is the best profession in the world. I am an engineer, an inventor and a magician. I understand chemistry and the properties of precious metal. I get to design and use my artistic intelligence”

My name is Brijette Marie Stamp, and I am a jeweler, a farmer, and a teacher.

Life has an unpredictable way of bringing new things to our attention in subtle ways. These things can be tangible or emotional; empowering or discouraging; reassuring or confusing—but these experiences can often be hints as to what is to come for us. In many ways, what we put into the world, things like effort, love, time and respect, can shape what we get back. As we embark upon our path, towards whatever “it” is—it is different for all of us, of course—we may discover that the road we are on takes a drastic turn in a direction that seems scary or unplanned. But it can end up being an outcome that is much better than what we originally intended.

I was in the process of completing my Education degree at Rhode Island College when I could feel the lackluster begin to settle in. The classroom provided me with an environment that fostered knowledge and continual growth for both my students and I, but the curriculum challenged me. After completing my student teaching, I felt myself still reaching for more. 

I chose to fulfill the rest of my elective credits with studio courses, one of those being “Intro to Metalsmithing and Jewelry.” During my first class, I received a tool kit, a bench, and about four pieces of metal—things that were completely foreign to me, but which all felt relatively familiar. Our first assignment was to create a “piercing” with our jeweler’s saw. I chose to focus my work around botanical imagery, specifically the cellular skeletons of flowers. Being able to depict scenery I had grown to know as scientific matter in an artful way became a powerful force.  I found myself sitting down at that bench for hours and realized that this was something that I would not grow tired of.

I was drawn to metalsmithing right away. It felt like magic—all the elements in one studio classroom just sort of clicked with me. The bench became an environment that propelled my ideas to transform into concrete, realistic objects. This type of classroom was one that I could thrive in, both learning and teaching. My benchmates became some of my closest friends and supporters; there was a symbiosis of inspiration and critique that we all shared with one another. My professors are some of the most inspirational people that I still look up to today. They pushed my work farther than my eyes dared to see, encouraged me to create strong bodies of work, and prepared me to speak about art as something that is more than what we hang in our homes. 

After graduating with two degrees, I set off working for jewelers, artists, and art galleries throughout Rhode Island. Eventually, it grew to the point where I was managing galleries in ways I knew I could manage my own business. In 2018, I was chosen as part of a fellowship to participate in an artist residency in Providence at the Steel Yard, an experience that developed my trajectory as an artist. The Steel Yard is a supportive community that is built for artists; a place where artists can play, work, and teach alongside other artists. One of my favorite aspects about the Steel Yard is the classes that they offer to the public and the opportunity for artists to share their creative process and curriculum. During my residency, I taught my first metals class: “How to Create a Line of Jewelry.” The class ran for six weeks throughout the summer, and shaped my path for years going forward. 

There are so many different processes involved with my work that on any given day I could be doing a million different things, which I find exciting. On some days, I will be playing with fire and melting metal to recycle silver or gold. Other days, I am occupied with measuring, construction, or stone setting. I aim to consistently be creating—I have always had a busy mental landscape, so my bench has become a place where I can slow down and take on tasks one at a time, because each process requires meticulous mindfulness. Currently, my studio is located in a barn on my parent’s farm, the place where all of my inspiration stems from. It is filled with light, music, and the smell of sage.  

Motivation comes in many forms. As a jeweler, I recognize the importance of wearability, the significance of handcrafted objects, and the sole reason why we as humans like to adorn our bodies. For centuries, jewelry has been the only type of art that has the intimate ability to touch us, not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. I am inspired by the idea of capturing moments, and transforming what is naturally fleeting into objects that are able to outlast myself.

Being a jeweler is the best profession in the world. I am an engineer, an inventor and a magician. I understand chemistry and the properties of precious metal. I get to design and use my artistic intelligence. I have had to learn tool making and steel forming. I have an understanding for the trade market of gold and gemstones. I must properly perceive the anatomy of the human body with the intention to create a functioning adornment that can be worn everyday. But most of all, I treasure having the power to use an ancient skill to create beauty in the world. I get to play with fire, earth and water in order to bring to life an object that will be coveted for generations. Giving people happiness in a world that might otherwise be filled with darkness is my greatest pleasure.

I hope my work may bring you the light and beauty it has brought to me.

Kindly, 

Brijette