Please introduce yourself and briefly describe your art.
Hi, I’m Stacey Lamothe and I am a Jewelry Artist. I love narrative art, something that tells a story. There is usually special text on the back side of pendants or inside of ring bands. I work mostly in Sterling Silver but also use copper and occasionally river rocks, found objects and assorted semi-precious stones.
What led you to be an artist and to share your art in Auburn Old Town Gallery?
When I was new in town I perused the local galleries in Auburn, Grass Valley and Nevada City. I chose Auburn Old Town Gallery because the staffing artists were personable & welcoming, the gallery was established, I liked the variety of art and I liked the co-op concept.
Where are you originally from?
Oakland CA!
What did you want to be when you were younger?
I wanted to be a Chef! I started the Culinary Program at Laney college in Oakland where Chef Hanks (that’s right, Tom Hanks’ dad!) was the beginning instructor. I finished my program at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill where my final banquet was presented by Martin Yan (Yan Can Cook)! That’s all the name dropping I will do in this interview 🙂
Tell us about a compliment that you’ve received that you’re most proud of.
A client that I hadn’t seen in years contacted me to make a special piece for a gift. It was for a woman who sang at her mother’s memorial service. Together she & I navigated the possibilities. We both cried and smiled throughout the conversation. I feel so honored that she chose and trusts me to create such a heartfelt gift. I am lucky to have this happen frequently and love to hear the stories about our previous encounter, gifts given or how a piece is a talisman for them all the years later.
What’s one thing that has made you smile recently?
#1 I got a call from the gallery staffer telling me how much a woman loved the piece they had just sold her. The woman bought one of my Peace Baby! necklaces. She came back 5 minutes later to tell the staffer that she just noticed on the back side of the pendant there was a little heart with “Lamothe” stamped in it. She was to have open heart surgery shortly thereafter and bought it with that in mind. The “love” on the back confirmed it as her talisman. After her surgery she contacted me to tell me that my art had successfully navigated her through the surgery, and she still wears it every day. #2 A customer was gushing over a little pig pendant in my case. When she read the back text: Pigs for Peace, she exclaimed I’ve got to get this for my sister! She’s having a heart transplant and will be getting a pig heart as her transplant! (How heartfelt are those two examples?!)
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Read Stacey’s previous interview here.
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