September 22, 2025 (Update) 

In 1969 a friend said to me... "You'd be good at this" and with these words, my journey as a jewelry designer began.(I don't remember anyone ever saying that to me, so I paid attention). She was demonstrating how to make jewelry using the Lost Wax process by using an exacto knife, candle for heat, and a needle stuck in a cork. She then proceeded to cut a pieces of wax into a design and seal them together using the heated needle. Even though I didn't know the rest of the process, I was hooked.

I think of my early designing career as a life preserver. I was set adrift at a young age (23yrs old) and had to fend for myself and my two year old daughter. I had very little education, very little financial support, and very little self confidence. But what I did have was a new strength of conviction... I could do this. At the time I was living in Denver, Colorado which had a thriving art scene. I met a number of people who helped me to move forward (unfortunately their names are lost to time). I did not have my own equipment to  make  jewelry but through serendipity I met people who did and who shared. My first ring looked like a tooth awaiting a filling... no kidding... it was ugly. Then one day I was walking across a park on my way to pickup my daughter from day care. I looked up and saw a cloud, shaped like a bird with its wings outspread and thought... I can capture that! I couldn't wait to get home and create. It was my very first original piece (and I wish I still had it!). Many of my first designs were not nature oriented but from the world of fantasy. I loved tales of dragons, mermaids and elves... mostly from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. If you go to my portfolio page you can see that I still love the imagery (especially dragons)!

Once again in 1970 a friend came to my aid and her name was Liz. She had moved to Alaska to be with her new husband and wrote many times telling me I would thrive there because no one  was designing like me. She was so supportive of my creativity that I decided to make the move (but it took almost two years to save the funds)and I still owe her a huge debt of gratitude.  I knew I wanted a different life... one that was more connected to nature and Alaska called. In the summer of 1972, my daughter, a friend (Emily) and I set out in an 1947 flatbed farm truck with a hand-built camper (Lord... I wish I had a photo), $500 and a triple AAA card (no cell phone & no credit card). It was both terrifying and breathtaking and that old truck got us there, barely... the last 500 miles it used a quart of oil every 25 miles.  Our lives began again in Alaska and thanks to a wonderful man, Richard Gumm, together we lived, loved, raised our family and created a business for the next 50 years.

In 1984 we moved briefly to Boston, Massachusetts for Richard's year at Harvard. We owned our home in Ester, Alaska at that time and I had both shop and equipment. I was still designing one of a kind pieces (I didn't think much of production work). But moving to a new city created something called 'homesickness' and I dreamed of picking blueberries and cranberries. I had brought my wax tools and one day decided to create some berries. After returning home it became apparent that the business needed to support itself. A meeting with a local craft shop owner, Gloria Fischer (Artworks) helped me see that my new berry designs needed to be production pieces.  In the early 90's I attended a wholesale show with my new line. There I met the owner of a new catalog.. Coldwater Creek. He placed a huge order and Judie Gumm Designs was born. The rest as they say is, History!

I am happy to say that I am enjoying my retirement here in Green Valley AZ. I still have a small studio...in the garage (it is after-all where it all started in Ester those many years ago). I also have a shop on Etsy where I continue to sell my creations. 

Best,   Judie