About the Artist:
Libby Ferrara resides in the small seaside town of Seward Alaska were she is currently self employed both as an artist, during the summer, fall and winter, and as a net mender in the spring (www.hungtoughnets.com). Stray Goose Studio originally began with the idea of creating a line of products that could uphold meticulous design ethics despite the challenges of a seasonal, migratory, lifestyle and limited space. This resulted in Libby developing a love for making and hand stitching salmon leather as well as exploring other alternative jewelry materials such as salvaged twines, glass beads, thread and many processes to make original adornments-all practices that are still important to her work today. Stray Goose Studio has since grown to maintain a year round studio space which has enabled Libby to reincorporate some traditional metalsmithing techniques using recycled silver and brass. Regardless of how or with what her work is made all of Libby's art is inspired by the natural world as well as a desire to live a meaningful life. Though the purpose of jewelry may appear to be purely decorative Libby believes it has deeper currents in identity, expression and a scene of place. She also believes that to be surrounded by beautifully made things enriches daily life in a wonderful way.
Consciously Handmade Contemporary Jewelry:
Stray Goose Studio Jewelry often combines unusual materials with simple and elegant design principles to make unique lightweight pieces. Artist Libby Ferrara is inspired to make by the endless beautiful details in the natural world—like the perfectly aligned scales of a fish—and by the desire for things in our man-made world to also be beautiful and as perfect as they can be.
At her bench Libby employs a formal metalsmithing background alongside self taught skills such as leather tanning, decorative knot tying and beading. Conceptually her work is currently influenced by experiences of coastal life and work in Alaska—which is visibly evident in the usage of salvaged hanging twines, scale pattern motifs and handmade salmon leather. Other materials often found in Stray Goose Studio Jewelry include responsibly sourced recycled sterling silver and brass of USA origin as well as tiny Japanese glass beads and nylon thread.
Stray Goose Studio’s salmon leathers are sourced from fish caught by the artist while seining in the sustainable commercial salmon fishery of Prince William Sound in Alaska. The skins later used for leather are taken from the salmon prepared to feed the crew. After the fishing season is over the reserved skins are then tanned by hand, in house, using a recipe of all organic ingredients. The result is a one of a kind leather that, despite its almost translucence, is as durable as it is beautiful.
Jewelry Care:
To ensure your jewelry lasts in it’s original state avoid getting it wet if components include salmon leather. Sterling and brass jewelry and components may tarnish or oxidize with time. There is nothing harmful about this. However, if you prefer it stay shiny clean with a polishing rag or paper but avoid chemical silver polishes as it could damage the other materials.
Salmon Leather is an organic material that requires some maintenance to say as it came. The biggest threats to your leather jewelry are water, which may cause it to stretch or dis-form, and sunlight, that may cause leather degeneration by excessive drying. Avoiding light is clearly not possible wile worn but simply storing your jewelry in a dark place (not on the windowsill or sunny shelf...) will keep your jewelry in top shape!
The following guidelines help do less harm if damage occurs:
-If your leather becomes wet (oops, you took it swimming!) allow it to dry slowly, away from any heat source (patience is a virtue…) in order to preserve its texture.
-If your leather becomes dry (you forgot your earrings on the dash of your hot car while backpacking and now they're all parched…) dehydrate it with a very small amount of natural leather conditioner. If you want to make your own conditioner melt 1 part organic beeswax with 1 part pure coconut oil in a double boiler. Once melted, mix together and poor into a jar to cool before using. Even olive oil alone will work in a pinch. To apply disperse a tiny bit onto your fingertips and rub just enough into the leather to appear moistened. If too much was applied remove excess with a soft, clean cloth.
Repair:
Stray Goose Studio strives to make excellent products that stand the test of time but should your Jewelry need repair to continue being beautiful/useful Stray Goose Studio is happy to do so for a fair cost. To request product repair please fill out a Contact Form (at the top of this page) with “Repair” in the subject line and briefly detail the problem you are having. Stray Goose Studio will do its very best to fix your item:)
Libby Ferrara resides in the small seaside town of Seward Alaska were she is currently self employed both as an artist, during the summer, fall and winter, and as a net mender in the spring (www.hungtoughnets.com). Stray Goose Studio originally began with the idea of creating a line of products that could uphold meticulous design ethics despite the challenges of a seasonal, migratory, lifestyle and limited space. This resulted in Libby developing a love for making and hand stitching salmon leather as well as exploring other alternative jewelry materials such as salvaged twines, glass beads, thread and many processes to make original adornments-all practices that are still important to her work today. Stray Goose Studio has since grown to maintain a year round studio space which has enabled Libby to reincorporate some traditional metalsmithing techniques using recycled silver and brass. Regardless of how or with what her work is made all of Libby's art is inspired by the natural world as well as a desire to live a meaningful life. Though the purpose of jewelry may appear to be purely decorative Libby believes it has deeper currents in identity, expression and a scene of place. She also believes that to be surrounded by beautifully made things enriches daily life in a wonderful way.
Consciously Handmade Contemporary Jewelry:
Stray Goose Studio Jewelry often combines unusual materials with simple and elegant design principles to make unique lightweight pieces. Artist Libby Ferrara is inspired to make by the endless beautiful details in the natural world—like the perfectly aligned scales of a fish—and by the desire for things in our man-made world to also be beautiful and as perfect as they can be.
At her bench Libby employs a formal metalsmithing background alongside self taught skills such as leather tanning, decorative knot tying and beading. Conceptually her work is currently influenced by experiences of coastal life and work in Alaska—which is visibly evident in the usage of salvaged hanging twines, scale pattern motifs and handmade salmon leather. Other materials often found in Stray Goose Studio Jewelry include responsibly sourced recycled sterling silver and brass of USA origin as well as tiny Japanese glass beads and nylon thread.
Stray Goose Studio’s salmon leathers are sourced from fish caught by the artist while seining in the sustainable commercial salmon fishery of Prince William Sound in Alaska. The skins later used for leather are taken from the salmon prepared to feed the crew. After the fishing season is over the reserved skins are then tanned by hand, in house, using a recipe of all organic ingredients. The result is a one of a kind leather that, despite its almost translucence, is as durable as it is beautiful.
Jewelry Care:
To ensure your jewelry lasts in it’s original state avoid getting it wet if components include salmon leather. Sterling and brass jewelry and components may tarnish or oxidize with time. There is nothing harmful about this. However, if you prefer it stay shiny clean with a polishing rag or paper but avoid chemical silver polishes as it could damage the other materials.
Salmon Leather is an organic material that requires some maintenance to say as it came. The biggest threats to your leather jewelry are water, which may cause it to stretch or dis-form, and sunlight, that may cause leather degeneration by excessive drying. Avoiding light is clearly not possible wile worn but simply storing your jewelry in a dark place (not on the windowsill or sunny shelf...) will keep your jewelry in top shape!
The following guidelines help do less harm if damage occurs:
-If your leather becomes wet (oops, you took it swimming!) allow it to dry slowly, away from any heat source (patience is a virtue…) in order to preserve its texture.
-If your leather becomes dry (you forgot your earrings on the dash of your hot car while backpacking and now they're all parched…) dehydrate it with a very small amount of natural leather conditioner. If you want to make your own conditioner melt 1 part organic beeswax with 1 part pure coconut oil in a double boiler. Once melted, mix together and poor into a jar to cool before using. Even olive oil alone will work in a pinch. To apply disperse a tiny bit onto your fingertips and rub just enough into the leather to appear moistened. If too much was applied remove excess with a soft, clean cloth.
Repair:
Stray Goose Studio strives to make excellent products that stand the test of time but should your Jewelry need repair to continue being beautiful/useful Stray Goose Studio is happy to do so for a fair cost. To request product repair please fill out a Contact Form (at the top of this page) with “Repair” in the subject line and briefly detail the problem you are having. Stray Goose Studio will do its very best to fix your item:)
For more information on Ferrara's current art making and life visit the "notes" section at the top of this page. Stray Goose Studio can also be found on facebook (where the photo albums include images of work dating back to 2005) and Instagram @straygoosestudio.
If you see something like but it is unavailable in the store feel free to contact Stray Goose Studio directly to discus purchasing options or to propose a possible custom order.
If you see something like but it is unavailable in the store feel free to contact Stray Goose Studio directly to discus purchasing options or to propose a possible custom order.