Our Story
My first studio in Jamaica Plain,Mass.
My fascination with metal came at an early age....
When I was little, I would put pennies on the railroad tracks and watch the train flatten them. I would marvel at how the pennies would become so thin and smooth.
I would also steal my brothers’ lead fishing sinkers and pound them flat. Even at an early age, I loved the feeling of the metal changing shape under the hammers’ blows.
Our neighbor, Mr. Bischoff, was a master metalsmith from Germany. He would let me hang out in his studio and watch him work. I remember thinking even back then that I wanted to be a metalsmith just like him.
When I was 30 I made the decision to pursue my dream. I enrolled full time at the Massachusetts College of Art. I graduated in 1996 with a BA in Metals. I moved into a studio in Jamaica Plain,crafted my first collection—and never looked back!
—20 years later, I am still in business and sell my collections in about 100 jewelry stores and galleries around the country. I attend retail and wholesale craft shows and most recently opened a POP-UP Shop in downtown Ipswich for the 2015 Holiday Season.
When I first started my business I was creating and selling jewelry and sculptural pieces.
“Jester Vase” 1998
My first collection: Bell Curve Collection
When I moved to Ipswich, so many people asked me why I didn’t have any clam inspired jewelry…so I came out with this “bowl of clams” ring as an homage to the Ipswich Clam!
INSPIRATION
Store and gallery
owners are always
asking me how I get my inspiration for different collections. I would
have to say that my inspirations are constantly evolving, and a collection comes about as a reflection of what is going on in my life at that time.
Living in Ipswich by the ocean has been a huge inspiration for my Beach Day Collection.
This is one of my favorite designs. I intended it to be a trick—at first glance it just looks like a fun shape, but if you look closely, it is hockey sticks and puck.
DESIGN
I come from a long line of engineers and inventors.
My great uncle invented the “spout” on the Morton
Salt container, and another uncle invented that funny cheese slicer with the wire and roller. In a way, I think
of myself not as a jewelry designer, but more of a “master tinkerer”. I try to have fun with design—and try to create pieces that are more like mini inventions than just jewelry.
The Studio Today:
We moved to Ipswich, Massachusetts in 2002 and built a custom studio in the basement of our house. My business has grown and I now rely my team of three studio assistants, a graphic/web designer, photographer and bookkeeper.
The studio is always open—I am a night owl and create new designs when everyone else is sleeping. During the day Kim, Donna and Jo-Ann fulfill orders and get ready for shows.
Betsy at her bench in her Ipswich studio
Betsy owes much of her success to her team. Jo-Ann, Kim and Donna (left to right).
Working at Betsy Frost Design requires dealing with some big ego’s…our dogs!
Scarlet:
Making sure orders are being done correctly
Scarlet:
“I don’t see any earrings on this order…”
Mischa:
She is in charge of scheduling vacation time
Jack:
Old-timer (18 yrs) & mostly sleeps on the job
When not running Betsy Frost Design...
I spend most of my time with my family. I am thankful to be surrounded by a loving family that I adore.
I am obsessed with hockey, and play year-round on the North Shore Panthers—a Women’s over 40 league.
In addition, we spend a lot of time at the Service Dog Project—whether fundraising, birthing puppies, or just cleaning kennels, we are extremely proud to be a part of such a fabulous organization.
Betsy with husband Jeff, sons Connor and Rowan, dogs Scarlet & Mischa. Photo Credit for this photo and home page photo go to Terri Unger Photography: www.terriunger.com
Service Dog Project Fundraiser at Betsy’s POP-UP - 2015 holiday season
Betsy plays defense on the Northshore Panthers