2024 Annual Ornament
Unfolding
The League’s 37th Annual Ornament, Unfolding, was created by
metal jewelry artist Katherine Rudolph, of Merrimack, NH. Inspired by architecture and the geometric repetition of origami, Katherine developed this stylized reindeer ornament which has been cast in pewter.
After moving from Nashua to the dream home she designed and built in the woods of Merrimack this past year, Katherine was greeted with an array of ever-changing wildlife. The glint of an eye or the flash of a tail was often the most she could glimpse of New Hampshire’s abundant, yet ever elusive, white-tailed deer.
Allowing the possibilities to unfold and employing her favorite metalworking techniques, Katherine began designing the 2024 ornament with paper models. These paper models translate well into thin gauge sheet metal, which she then scores and folds. “This is a favored technique as it allows for voluminous, crisp, geometric forms through which I explore the possibilities of pattern & repetition.” In line stylistically with her jewelry, and with a nod to elements from both her Leaf and Sail jewelry collections, the face of the deer took form and the antlers emerged with architecturally inspired elements from her Origami collection. From lightweight sheet metal, the ornament was cast in pewter. Through a delicate process of adding and carving away, she was able to give balanced weight to each ornament. Honoring her namesake, Rudolph, a light catching, high polished nose completes the designs minimalist and elegant aesthetic.
The 2024 League ornament comes gift-boxed and sells for $26. This annual offering is an important fundraiser for the League that supports local artists and affiliated League Fine Craft Galleries. The ornament is a thoughtful keepsake to mark any special occasion, milestone or holiday.
About the Maker: Katherine Rudolph
Katherine was raised in New Hampshire, and some of her fondest memories are of time
spent at the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair during summers at Lake Sunapee. She graduated
from the Jewelry and Metalsmithing Department at the Rhode Island School of Design
(RISD) in 2009. It was not until 2017 that she finally took the leap, scheduled a jury
session, and was accepted as a member of the League.
Annual ornaments are sold exclusively at the League of NH Craftsmen Fine Craft Galleries, located in Center Sandwich, Concord, Hooksett, Littleton, Meredith, Nashua, and North Conway; in the League’s online store; at League Headquarters in Concord, and at the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair August 5-13 at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, NH.
For decades, juried League members have participated in a yearly call for work to be considered for the Annual Ornament. Managers of the League of NH Craftsmen Fine Craft Galleries review the submitted pieces and select a winner.
About the League of NH Craftsmen
Our mission is to advance, cultivate and champion excellence in fine craft. The League pursues that mission through educational programming, leadership initiatives, marketplace strategies and support services.
For more information about the Annual Ornament call the Nashua Fine Craft Gallery at 603-595-8233, email [email protected], visit nashua.nhcrafts.org, and like us on Facebook and Instagram.