The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen has selected its annual limited edition ornament, Winter’s Waltz, a pair of ice skates handcrafted in pewter. Inspired by memories of ice skating in winters past, juried League member Walker Boyle used the ancient lost wax method of casting combined with modern metal working techniques to create this one of a kind ornament. “I enjoy creating and bringing my pewter pieces to life. Each piece seems to take on a certain vibration and personality, and that’s what makes it fun,” says Walker.
Each Winter’s Waltz ornament is numbered and dated and has Walker’s signature. A frost blue ribbon is attached to the top so it can hang on a tree or wreath. They are sold exclusively by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Fine Craft Galleries (see locations at end of release), the League’s online store: nhcrafts.org, at the League headquarters on 49 South Main Street in Concord, and at the Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair, August 5 – 13. The ornament comes beautifully gift-boxed and sells for $28.
Winter’s Waltz is the League’s 30th Annual Ornament, and is a popular collectible piece. The League’s annual ornament is a great gift for a newly married couple or anyone starting a new household.
About the Maker: Walker Boyle
A juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen since 2000, Walker designs and creates pewter and metal figurines and ornaments in his home studio in Antrim, New Hampshire. He grew up in Rhode Island and studied painting and sculpture in art school. He liked working with bronze and other metals, and decided to become a mold maker. In 1998, he moved to New Hampshire to work with his brother in a casting company. Four years later, decided to pursue a career making fine craft and set up shop. “I have been coming to New Hampshire my whole life and really enjoy its natural beauty,” said Walker. “My inspiration comes through observation and love of nature, study of philosophy, reading, and creative imagination.”
Walker works with a variety of metals, but has concentrated on pewter. He also created the League’s 2011 Ornament, a pewter pinecone called Nature’s Adornment.
About the Annual Ornament
The League’s annual ornament is selected by the managers of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Fine Craft Galleries, located in Center Sandwich, Concord, Hanover, Hooksett, Littleton, Meredith, Nashua, and North Conway. Major credit cards are accepted for ordering the ornament by telephone from any gallery.
League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Fine Craft Galleries:
Center Sandwich, 32 Main St., 603-284-6831
Concord, 36 North Main St., 603-228-8171
Hanover, 13 Lebanon St., 603-643-5050
Hooksett, I-93 Northbound Rest Area, 530 West River Rd., 603-210-5181
Littleton, 81 Main Street, 603-444-1099
Meredith, 279 Daniel Webster Hwy., Rte. 3, 603-279-7920
Nashua, 98 Main St., 603-595-8233
North Conway, 2526 White Mountain Hwy., Rte. 16/302, 603-356-2441
About the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen
The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen is a non-profit, craft education organization. Its mission is to encourage, nurture, and promote the creation, use, and preservation of fine contemporary and traditional craft through the inspiration and education of artists and the broader community. The League represents the signature of excellence in fine craft, through the work of its juried members, and its rigorous standards for self-expression, vision, and quality craftsmanship.
The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen is supported in part by a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information about the Annual Ornament or the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, call 603-224-3375, e-mail nhleague@nullnhcrafts.org, or visit the League’s Web site at: nhcrafts.org.