RLMetalsmith Blog
Howdy,
Welcome to RLMetalsmith. My name is Roger Lessman and the principal behind the collection of jewelry and other items. I have always admired the artisans of the Southwest and have collected a number of pieces, buckles, bolos, bracelets rings, etc over the years. Most have been designed by known artists with varied design and interpretations. My first interest originated while living and working in Southeast Utah, Green River and Moab specifically. Some friends had a store in Moab that featured native American art of various kinds, and that is where the bug bit me.
I developed an interest in making jewelry but never had the time to devote to developing the necessary skills. Immediately after college I worked in the aerospace industry, which is the reason for being in southeast Utah. My career then took me to Vail, Colorado and the resort business. I gravitated to the real estate side of the business and spent over 40 years in the development industry in a variety of resort locations.
During these years I also began to pursue land speed racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats. What was initially was a hobby became a passion and consumed most of my free time. You can learn more at www.lessmanracing.com. I continued to have interest in southwest jewelry and art but did not have time to pursue the design and fabrication. As my involvement in the resort business began to wind down, I found time to pursue jewelry making.
I began with fairly simple fabrications in copper and progressed to sterling silver as I became more skilled. I made a number of pieces that I gave to family and friends over the years. After several years of strictly doing metalsmith work, I progressed to lapidary work to allow utilization of stones in my jewelry. My first work came out better than I had expected so I worked and studied the lapidary process to develop my skills.
At present about 50% of my work is strictly metal work, copper, sterling silver and gold, and 50% involve lapidary work. In my metalsmith work, I employee hand tools, hammering, impressions, fold forming, etc and of course soldering. I also make some pieces using the tufa casting technique, pioneered by native Americans of the southwest.
Listed on the website you will notice a number of different pieces. Some are available for immediate purchase. However I would be happy to make another piece similar to the ones shown if I do not have them in stock. The pieces can be fabricated using copper, sterling silver or gold. I should mention regards to gold, the preferred karat is 14 or 18.
If you have a specific request, I am willing to try and accommodate your wishes, keeping in mind depending on complexity, the deliver time frame came be months.
I hope you enjoy the website and let me know if you have any questions or special requests.