Burlington Jewelry Artist Opens Studio to the Public
By Julie Howard

In times we call “olden,” it was customary for people to ply their trade from their homes. Judith Zurles, Burlington-based artist, likes this concept, and has incorporated it into her work, by opening her home-based studio and gallery to the public for the first time.  “This house has been in my family for 100 years.  I bet my grandmother had a little shop here,” she comments, pointing to a shop-looking garage area.

Judith has been creating jewelry for the past 30 years.  She holds a degree in Art, specializing in jewelry, weaving and ceramics, as well as a Master’s degree in Education.  She currently teaches Beginning Jewelry as an adjunct professor at Southern Connecticut State University. 

In her classes, she hopes, beyond teaching basic techniques, “that I’ll inspire somebody to want to go on and do more [art jewelry] work.”   She envisions jewelry-making in America reaching the status that it enjoys in Europe – where art jewelry is considered really an art on the same level as painting or sculpture.  In Europe they even have museums for jewelry, she notes in mock amazement. 

 Maybe America is slow in viewing jewelry as an art form but “It’s starting!” she says.  Judith is a member of both The Society for North American Goldsmiths and The Society for North American Silversmiths, groups that work to promote artwork with fine metals.  “Metal has so many possibilities – it can be hard, soft, warm, cold, organic, architectural.  Start adding stones and color, and it becomes a whole other realm of possibilities for personal expression.  It’s very individual,” she adds.

Judith creates her own art jewelry with an organic and primitive style.  She uses Native American influences, but explains that she “won’t repeat a native design exactly, but I’ll interpret it into a more contemporary look and feel.”   She also draws inspiration from nature, taking walks by the Farmington River across the street from her studio.  Often she’ll find something from nature that she recreates on a small scale into a piece of jewelry.  Sometimes, she casts these found natural objects in silver to achieve that organic quality – clamshells, coral, peony pod, all are replicated in her jewelry. 

“I like the quality of metal that is a little more soft rather than hard edged.  I like to show what happens to metal when you melt it.”  This “fusion technique” creates “a surprise, and somehow you can use that.”  Judith says that finishing a piece, “you look at it and go ‘oh, that’s what it’s about!’”  She laughs, saying that if she could describe and have meaning for her jewelry pieces before they were finished, then she’d probably have been a writer, not a jewelry artist.

Judith’s decision to open her studio to the public came after many years of her artwork being a part-time pursuit.  She always knew that she wanted art to be her full-time work someday.  Last year, encouraged by teaching at Southern, she decided, “I’m going to take this risk.”  Determined, she fixed the hallway of her home into a gallery that leads into a curtained workshop, and opened her doors to the public.  “I especially want people to see how I work.  I’m perfectly willing to tell them anything they want to know about working with jewelry and with metal.  I’d like to get other people interested.”

Most of the jewelry at Judith’s Studios is crafted from sterling silver and ranges in price from $55-695 per item.  Each piece is truly unique; the thought of duplicating a piece leaves Judith a little aghast, explaining that each piece is about the journey, something you can’t duplicate.  “[You’re] not just buying a piece of jewelry, [you’re] buying art to wear.  Wherever [you] buy a piece of art jewelry – nobody else in the world will ever have a piece like that.”

Various stones appear in her work including: lapis, carnelian, faceted stones (citrines, sapphire), chalcedony and fire opal.  There’s even coyote bone in a few pieces.  One winter, Judith and her husband John found a coyote carcass in the backyard; they let it age outside until spring, then bleached the bones for use in Judith’s jewelry work.  Judith is also branching into using gold, now that she is a full-time artist.

The necklace is Judith’s favorite jewelry piece to make, and at least a dozen adorn the walls of her gallery.  Almost all her pieces are named, reflecting the crafter’s vision and inspirations.  There’s a necklace called “Rhiannon’s Nest; ”  a copper, silver and turquoise bowl named “Homage to Brother Crow” reflects the Native American influences; “Morgana’s Vision” necklace uses seaworm shell, druzy agate, carnelian and lapis stones.  The list goes on; Judith says she names her pieces when she can think of something appropriate.

Art and jewelry enthusiasts can find Judith’s Studio, on Rte 179 (163 Canton Road) in Burlington, by looking for the bright teal and white sign at the driveway entrance.  The freshly painted lilac door and matching bench by a slate walkway further welcome visitors to the studio.  Gallery hours are Monday-Wednesday-Friday: 10:00am-5:00 p. m. and Saturdays 10:30am-3:00 p.m.;  also by appointment by calling 860-673-8970.