First off I want to take the time to thank Martha Struever for bringing her Summer Art Tour to see me in Santa Fe at the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art on museum hill in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was a true success. I met some some American Indian Art Collectors that have now stated their commitment to attend the Traditional Spanish Market as well as the Indian Market in Santa Fe. I met some true collectors that appreciate my work and my commitment to my craft.

I also want to thank the staff at MOSCA for helping us out. Robin Farwell Gavin, Curator of the museum gave a great talk on the history of Spanish colonial influences on American Indian jewelry making. Also in attendance was Maggie Magalnick, Director of Spanish Market, who gave a brief history of Spanish Market in Santa Fe. Donna Pedace, Executive Director, deserves and big hug for allowing us to invade the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art that Saturday morning. I am so glad, that with the help of one of the nations foremost American Indian Art collectors and authors, Martha Struever, we are able to educate some interested collectors on the influences of Spanish Colonial Jewelers on American Indian Art. see you at Spanish Market, July 30-31 on the Plaza.

A friend of mine said to me "Last year you sold me a bracelet for $250 and now that your a famous award winning artist it's $500. Where's the love?" The love is in the price of silver.  Silver was averaging $4.95 in 2001, a year ago $17.83 and today is almost $45.00 per ounce! In 2001, gold was $275.00, today’s price is $1499.30!  Within the next couple of years some experts are now predicting that prices could double or more from present highs! You see, it's not that I don't love my customers, I just have to feed my dog and cats.

All we see on the news is the closing price. No story about the potential effects this rapid rise in the price of silver and gold will have on the people of New Mexico. You may have already seen the reduction in tourists and the closures of many stores in the downtown area of Santa Fe. Being in the business I notice these closures all around the state as well as the closure of businesses that support the industry. This has a much bigger effect then you may think, job loss, retail closures, tax revenue loss, reduced tourist appeal for our state, and the reduction and loss of an important traditional craft and lifestyle: Silversmithing in New Mexico.

New Mexico has often been identified with turquoise and silver jewelry since the days of the roadside trading posts and postcards of old Route 66. This identity is now being threatened, along with the livelihood of those in the industry. My tag line is "Precious Metals Creations From the Heart and Soul of Santa Fe" and now that part of New Mexico's heart and soul could be threatened by the continuing rise in the precious metals prices that could mean the end of the traditional silver jewelry business as we know it.

I am sorry I have not posted to the blog for quite some time. My duties with the New Mexico Legislative session kept me very busy.

But now that that is over, the big news is the big move. Stump and Rippel has become Rippel & Company and has moved to a new location! John Rippel, owner, jokingly says that I am "& Co." Now located in the Historic La Fonda Hotel at 111 Old Santa Fe Trail, the old Nancy Brown Jewelers location. The showcases are done and the store ready to go. You'll will find two full showcases of my work, over 150 pieces at the new location.

I have to say I am impressed at the job John and Jennifer did on the renovation of this new store. The lighting is excellent and the showcases look great. Did not know a below street level store could look so great. I understand we will be having a grand opening soon and I will let everyone know. Come buy (see how I used that word) and check out the new major home for my designs in Santa Fe. Say hi to John Rippel a true master silversmith in his own right. He is there most days. Open seven days a week 9:30 - 7 pm. You might even catch me there some days.

Thanks again for checking out Santa Fe Silverworks and hope to send you a reciept soon.

Gregory

So I have been working my little typing fingers to the bone to get a shopping cart on the web site. Santa Fe Silverworks will be processing our check out securely through a trusted site, PayPal. You do not need to be signed up at PayPal as you can check out with a credit card or debit card easily and conveniently with out worry about your security. NONE of your private information is held at Santa Fe Silverworks. PayPal is the worlds most popular way to pay on the Internet so shop with confidence.

Most of the inventory is done, like the necklaces and rings and half of the earrings as well as all of John Rippel's buckles. Amazing what goes into a web site. I have to build a HTML code for each piece on the site. I don't know if you noticed, there are many pieces on Santa Fe Silverworks. Now just like the silver-work, I taught myself to build this site. If you come  across any errors or links that don't work properly please let me know. I have to say it is fun working on the site myself but, and I mean this in the nicest way, don't ask me to help build yours. I must sleep at some point.

So enjoy surfing Santa Fe Silverworks and USE THE SHOPPING CART. Take a look at the new section for sterling silver chain link necklaces made for Santa Fe Silverworks, and I added high quality leather belt straps to the inventory. Have a great day and make it count.

Thank you

Gregory P. Segura