Laura Lobdell Jewelry
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Type of Place: Jewelry
Description:
The saying goes, of course, that good things come in small packages--and in the case of Laura Lobdell Jewelry, they come in what I believe is the smallest store I've ever entered. Its tininess--and the cuteness of a dog inside--drew me in off W. 10th St. to take a look. How glad I am for that. I got the pleasure of meeting Laura and her dog, Xiao (fittingly, that's Chinese for "little"), and of discovering her great creations, which combine humor, warmth, and spirituality.
Small space, huge heart, and rampant creativity: Laura's shop and work are true local finds. Many of her designs are inspired by found objects--including a crab shell charm based on an actual crab shell she brought back from India ("The customs people freaked out a little," she remembers). Travel in India has had a great influence on her work--"I loved how the women in India wore their jewelry every day, even just to do errands, instead of saving it for some unknown 'special occasion'," she says--but her journeys to China, Nepal, Mexico, and even local beaches are also reflected in her ideas. Laura's creations and approach were right up my alley, and I loved the whole package (a surprisingly wide array given the square footage). To pick a few specifics: silver button charms molded from antique buttons, $35; silver bubble-wand charms that actually work as wands (starting at $250; some designed with jewel stones); silver charms based on molds from antique Cracker Jack prizes (starting at $135); charming coral, jade, and pearl earrings ($40); siver guitar-pick charms that, like the bubble wands, actually work as picks ($145); silver macaroni charms (starting at $95--remember those childhood craft projects where macaroni was an art supply? Laura does, and got her inspiration here from them); charms molded from beach stones (starting at $95); and the fantastic "Armacitia" charms (starting at $18), made from vintage denim pouches stuffed with sage and decorated with a design based on one of Lobdell's drawings. "Sage stands for peace and protection," she explains. She sends the denim and the sage to Nepal, where the charms are made by local workers for fair-trade wages and sent back.
In case you're in need of some sustenance, Laura serves espresso and--to my amusement--Jack Daniels in the shop ("Guys who come in to shop here are pleasantly surprised," Laura says, and I'll bet they are!). Some shoppers from L.A. descend upon the shop with much enthusiasm ("Look at this!" "I love it!"), and I want Laura to be able to focus on them--and, for that matter, have room for them. So I say my goodbyes, pet Xiao one more time, and hit the street, thinking about all the people I know who'll love this work and so grateful that the independent-artist spirit still thrives.
Laura Lobdell Jewelry
183 W. 10th St. (7th Ave)
New York, NY 10014
(646) 272-8483
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