Hello, and welcome to my shop!
I’m Liz Stefany, and I was introduced to the art of silversmithing at the age of 12, while attending summer camp on Sebago Lake here in Maine. Once I moved full-time to Carrabassett Valley in 2006, I knew that starting Carrabassett Valley Jewelry was a no brainer.
I love designing and creating jewelry that provides a sense of connection and has depth and meaning. My designs are a mix of symbolism and realism, resulting in jewelry that is easy to wear and is complementary to many different occasions. Along with the design collections, I love creating custom jewelry for any occasion – weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, or just because! These often have themes of nature and outdoor activity, and aside from wedding rings, one of my favorite custom requests is to recreate a landscape or view that holds special significance.
I strive to be environmentally friendly in an industry that is far from that. I buy recycled gold and silver to take some impact away from mining. One of my suppliers is powered completely by solar power.
My biggest dilemma has been whether to source gemstones that are natural (destructive mining!) or lab created (far from nature, which I like to hold close), but have found sources that offer fair-mined and/or fair-trade natural gems as a bit of a compromise. When offered the choice, my customers tend toward willingly paying a higher price in order to support more responsible trade avenues, which is a win-win for the planet and the humans who live here! When it comes to those sparkly stones that are “forever,” one of my suppliers even offers recycled diamonds that have been removed from old jewelry and can be brought back to life in new designs, and at a price less than buying freshly mined stones. And of course, I am thrilled to work with you to recycle your own/family jewelry to give it an update so it is worn once again!
