Rochester artist finds jewelry is her silver lining
Libby Rae Schultz's silver lining grew out of her time as a rockhound, a hobby that eventually led her to become a silversmith and jeweler.
"During my time in Idaho, I spent a lot of time exploring the mountains in my Sprinter van, which I built into a camper," she says. "Rockhounding naturally paired with my explorations and sparked a deep interest in geology and the incredible stones found in the 'Gem State.'"
Though she was raised in Byron, Minnesota, Schultz moved to Switzerland after she completed cosmetology school at 19. She eventually settled in Boise, Idaho, where she operated her own salon when she wasn't busy exploring and collecting stones. In 2020, she sold her Boise-based salon and moved back to Rochester to be near family.
"I took a year off to explore other creative outlets," says Schultz. "I wanted to learn a skill that would allow me to put all these beautiful stones to good use, which ultimately led me to jewelry-making."
In addition to her current work making jewelry, she still owns a salon studio in Rochester. "I find cutting and styling hair to be a very sculptural process," she says.
Schultz took an online ring-making class that became her entry into the process of jewelry making. Eventually she started her Raeven Jewelry business in 2021. The business name came from both her love of ravens and the spelling of her middle name — Rae.
"The name Raeven Jewelry combines these inspirations into something that feels uniquely meaningful to me," she says.
"One of my early pieces that truly excited me was an agate necklace," she says. "On the silver backing of the large agate pendant, I used a tiny saw blade to cut out a nature scene of trees and birds, and when held up to the light, the scene glows beautifully through the agate."
Another early piece she created featured a black stone she'd gleaned from her favorite beach on the Oregon Coast. She overlaid it with a piece of silver cut into waves and a whale tail.
In the beginning, Schultz created jewelry with a butane torch.
"As I have continued my craft, I now work with a torch that uses both oxygen and acetylene gas to have more concentrated, controlled flame," she says. "The silver is pressed to specific thicknesses in both wire and sheet form. I shape and solder these pieces together to create my designs."
Schultz also casts jewelry by melting down metal nuggets in a crucible. She uses a welding torch and then pours the molten metal into plaster casts that she's created.
The stones that Schultz uses play a large part in how she creates her jewelry.
"I use a lot of American-mined turquoise, and I am particularly drawn to Kingman turquoise from Arizona for its vibrant colors," she says. "I started working in silver because it was more cost-effective while learning and trying new techniques, but I'm excited to be branching out into gold as well."
Gold isn't the only material of greater value she's leaning towards.
"Recently, I've started incorporating diamonds and other precious stones into my goldsmithing, which has been both exciting and a little daunting," says Schultz. "I have a special fondness for garnets, especially the stunning star garnets from a mine in Idaho. I have many of these stones still in their raw form that need to be cut to reveal their incredible star shine effect."
As she's grown in her craft, Schultz has worked with various mentors. She traveled back to Boise to train with Mike Rogers at Fine Custom Jewelry where she learned lost wax casting.
"Now, I'm working with Keith Berge in Rochester, learning goldsmithing, engraving and setting faceted precious stones," she says. "It's amazing how many ways there are to create with metal — the learning never stops, and there's always something new to explore and try to master."
In 2023, Schultz won the Best in Show award for her jewelry at the well-known and juried Bayfield Festival of Arts exhibit in Wisconsin.
"Just being accepted into the juried exhibit felt like a significant victory in itself," she says, "but receiving that recognition truly validated my hard work and creativity. It was an exciting moment that motivated me to continue exploring my craft."
Raeven Jewelry can be found for sale at the Ghost Ship Gallery in Washburn, Wisconsin, and at Threshold Arts in downtown Rochester. In addition, Schultz sells her jewelry at local markets like the Chateau Holiday Market. Her jewelry is also available through the Raeven Jewelry website at raevenjewelry.com.
"One of the most surprising things I've learned about making jewelry is how much of the process is about problem-solving and adaptation," says Schultz. "Every piece presents its own challenges, whether it's working with a tricky material or finding the right technique to achieve a specific design."
The creativity involved in her craft is something that motivates Schultz. As she puts it, "The creative process is always evolving, and I'm excited about the journey ahead."
