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Limited Edition Annual Ornament

Nature's Adornment Selected as the
League of NH Craftsmen’s 2011 Annual Ornament

Walker Boyle’s handcrafted pewter ornament, called Nature’s Adornment, is the League of NH Craftsmen’s Annual Ornament for 2011. Nature’s Adornment is a pewter pinecone – a traditional decorative motif for wreaths and decorations that will have you “pining” for the holidays. The ornament is Walker’s unique interpretation of a white pine tree’s pinecone that has shed its seeds. A frost blue ribbon is attached to the top of the ornament so it can hang on a tree or wreath.

A juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen since 2000, Walker designs and creates pewter and metal figurines and ornaments in his home studio in Antrim, NH. “My collection of pinecones was the inspiration for this ornament. It is specifically modeled on pinecones from trees that you see throughout New Hampshire,” said Walker. To create his pieces, he uses the ancient lost wax method of casting, as well as modern techniques of metal working. “It took me close to two years to get this pinecone design to a point that I could reproduce it,” said Walker.

He grew up in Rhode Island and studied painting and sculpture in art school. He liked working with bronze and other metals, and decided to become a mold maker. In 1998, he moved to New Hampshire to work with his brother in a casting company. Four years later, decided to pursue a career making fine craft and set up shop. “I have been coming to New Hampshire my whole life and really enjoy its natural beauty,” said Walker. “Nature is a great inspiration for my work, as well as literature and art.”

His brother introduced him to the League of NH Craftsmen. “He brought me to the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair and I thought it was great,” said Walker. “I am so happy to now be a juried member and be part of this wonderful, supportive community.  The League provides great marketing and networking opportunities for people like me.”

Walker works with a variety of metals, but has concentrated on pewter for the past eight years. “It is easier for me to work with pewter in the space that I have. It has a considerably lower melting point (500 degrees) compared to silver, gold and bronze,” says Walker. “I enjoy creating and bringing my pewter pieces to life. Each piece seems to take on a certain vibration and personality, and that’s what makes it fun.”

The League’s annual ornament selection, now in its 24th year, is open to all juried League craftspeople. The ornament is selected by the managers of the eight League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Retail Galleries, which are located in Center Sandwich, Concord, Hanover, Littleton, Meredith, Nashua, North Conway, and Wolfeboro.

Nature's Adornment ornaments are sold exclusively by the Hanover Retail Gallery, and at the League of NH Craftsmen's Fair, August 6-14, 2011. Each ornament is numbered as one of a limited edition. The ornament comes beautifully gift-boxed and sells for $22.50. Major credit cards are accepted for ordering the ornament by telephone.