Our Story

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Ron Cravens grew up in Indiana and Kentucky, learning metalworking and welding, and being influenced by family who worked with their hands and worked for themselves in various fields, including blacksmithing. Rosemarie Martinez, a native New Yorker, was always interested in Art and Science but opted for Art. As she was just finishing up studying art and teaching at Queens College, however, she was feeling aimless when they met. As graduation approached, there was the absolute certainty that the Junior High School Art Teaching License she had just acquired might never be used. Student teaching necessary for the license was at a rough inner-city school, which was so challenging that it seemed to be a poor fit. It takes an extraordinary person to be an urban teacher, and while certainly extraordinary, she felt as though something (or someone) else was waiting.

Meanwhile, Ron, being ready to start his future, "ventured off the farm" (actually a small city on the Ohio River) and landed in California. As aimless as Rosemarie, he began the trek clear across the country to New York City, where he met Rosemarie, the soon-to-be college graduate and aimless art teacher.     

In the lobby of a hospital, while Ron was taking a break from visiting a close friend, Rose was visiting her Aunt. Simply put, omitting for the sake of brevity all of the romantic flowery details, "We met, looked at each other, and went happily off into the world together a few months later. We were barely out of our teens, excited and ready for life's next adventure together."

After working in a yoga retreat in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec, they decided hitchhiking across Canada for their next adventure, a whole other story. These were the freewheeling days, and it was not uncommon to see hippies (which they qualified) crossing the country much like the folks had been doing before, since the beatnik days and perhaps since the 1930’s. Those crazy adventures, hitchhiking in Canada, our close friends know, were quite colorful, but must be left out here. This is a business website after all! The times of stress, fun, fear, and excitement all helped to create an unbreakable bond between the two.

After harvesting apples for a living in the Okanogan Valley of western Canada, they worked in a vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver, where Ron developed his first craft skill as a carved candlemaker. With their newly acquired skills, they traveled California in a beat-up VW bus, circling back to the east coast and ultimately landing on Martha's Vineyard, where settling down and the jewelry occupation began. 

Life on Martha’s Vineyard was idyllic, but before you think they lived in one of those lovely gray weathered Vineyard summer homes, though lovely it was, they lived in a friend's glass cabin made from recycled windows. The home was in the forest at the end of a long, sandy driveway. James Taylor was their neighbor! But it was still just a glasshouse in the woods. 

They were in heaven except in thunderstorms. They survived one of the most horrific lightning storms they had ever experienced, save the time they camped out at the edge of the Grand Canyon under large pines in similar weather. The storm was so intense, but seeing it from the glass cabin made a lifelong impression.

They cooked mostly brown rice, on a small Coleman stove, went to the beach each day in their very beat-up VW bus, while harvesting cranberries using a scoop for low wages. No worries,, no real possessions, and no real pressures.

Their occupation? THEY WERE WEAVERS! They wove woolen belts on two floor inkle looms that Ron had made. They sewed brass buckles to the ends. It was a hippie's dream accessory, and they were actually quite (relatively) successful selling their wares in a Vineyard Haven store. They loved earning a salary, working with their hands, and being independent.

That is when more good fate stepped in. 

On one of their sales stops in town, they met a man who would change their lives. James Russell was a jeweler & leather worker who ventured to Edgartown from Nantucket to sell his crafts. He would spend winters in Coconut Grove. He was so successful in his little shop in Edgartown that he needed an employee. He suggested they stop by his workshop/gallery/store, and one day, the same day they had decided to get married, they ventured to Edgartown to see his studio. Seeing that they did not have a formal wedding ring, James Russell reached into his jewelry case and handed Rosmarie a lovely gold wedding band, which fit perfectly! He went on to explain his current situation with the shop and hired Ron on the spot. Over time, Jim taught him all the basics of silver and goldsmithing. Their friendship grew along with his skill. His profitable business expanded, and his excellent reputation followed. 

In Ron’s words, “He not only taught me silversmithing and goldsmithing but also how to actually run a business, such as pricing structure, being creative while being able to actually live from one's income. It is not easy, but it is possible. Hidden expenses exist everywhere, and Jim understands business”.

When Jim Russell Metalsmithing moved to Rockport, Massachusetts, they went along with him. Jim hired, and Ron trained several other people who all became recognized New England jewelers,s each with their own style. The original team included Ron Cravens, Tom McGurrin, Alan Soule, Norman Scrimshaw, Bob Pearsall, Floyd Bucklin, Tom Kuhner, and Richard Handle. 

All of these jewelers have gone on to develop distinct jewelry styles rooted in their own creative spark and to become juried members of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. They all began at the same fine jewelry company of James Russell Metalsmiths.  Bob and Susan Pearsall and Richard Handle are no longer with us, and they deeply miss them. They felt like family who will forever be indebted to James Russell, a generous person, great teacher, and still a lifelong friend!