Profile & Studio Services

NANCY KARPEL artist/designer

Nancy’s career spans over 45 years of study in jewelry design and metal construction techniques, operation of N. Karpel Studio in New Haven, Connecticut and marketing her work through the studio and numerous galleries across the United States and abroad. Her work has received both local and national attention. She has been featured in publications including Lapidary Journal, Jeweler’s Circular Keystone, The Baltimore Sun, The New York Times, Niche Magazine, and many New Haven and Hartford, CT newspapers. Her work is featured in several books on working with metal clay.

Nancy has been granted awards and honors from prestigious organizations and institutions such as The Bruce Museum in CT, New Haven Advocate newspaper, Society of CT Craftsmen, and the Niche Magazine National Design Award. Her work is part of the permanent collections of both The White House and the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Nancy’s work in the community resulted in new space for local artists to exhibit their work, fund raising for local women’s shelters, and a “Badge of Hope” campaign to raise money for the 9/11 disaster relief funds. Currently, she participates with the Ethical Metalsmiths organization, “No Dirty Gold” campaign and Earthworks to promote responsible mining practices and raise awareness among the jewelry industry and those who work with metal. As much as  possible, Nancy uses recycled materials and supplies in her studio and work.

Nancy has traveled throughout the Americas, Europe, and the UK, and draws her design inspiration from many sources. As with most original art, Nancy’s work reflects both impressive technical skills and her own search for personal and spiritual growth. Underlying all of her designs is an effort to comprehend the interrelationships between humans, the earth, and the wider Universe.

Education: BS Business Management , Diamond Grading Certificate- GIA, Certified Instructor of Precious Metal Clay
Nancy has taught all levels of traditional jewelry making classes at local craft schools, private school, and small classes at her New Haven workshop, where in past years she provided internships to students from local colleges and high schools.

testimonials
“I met Nancy Karpel through work and became a student in her Precious Metal Clay workshops. We shared many discussions about jewelry design over the past few years, and I always admired her work. When I was looking for a wedding band to match my engagement ring , I had my heart set on an N. Karpel Studio original. I called Nancy to discuss what I was envisioning (which I hadn’t been able to find in any stores), emailed her my measurements along with a photo of my engagement ring, and a few weeks later I had my dream wedding ring! Nancy created exactly what I envisioned to compliment my engagement ring. I highly recommend her work as a designer. She is an immensely talented artist, and a wonderful person to work with.”- Anique Langlois

“I have been a customer of Nancy Karpel for over 27 years, since I was a college student in New Haven. Regardless of my budget over the years, Nancy has always been a reliable source of jewelry that never looks outdated, including one-of-a-kind and custom pieces in a variety of price ranges. All the pieces I have purchased from her over the years have withstood the test of time and look as fresh today as when I first bought them.”
-Elizabeth Yen

“It has been my good fortune and pleasure to meet Nancy and discover her jewelry designs years ago. Whether it be in her description of a design’s meaning or the methods used to obtain a particular design, she not only creates beautiful pieces of jewelry, but also shows her great talent and dedication to her craft. I treasure each piece that I’ve acquired and look forward to her future work.”-Audrey Fred “

“For more than 20 years I have been given and have bought jewelry designed and crafted by Nancy Karpel. Each piece in my personal collection is treasured and continues to generate compliments every time I wear it.”-Laura Mutrie

n. karpel studio
Nancy’s workshop and showroom, N. Karpel Studio, is based in New Haven, CT, at MARLINWORKS- a converted factory complex that brings together artists, architects, design groups, graphic designers, and other service companies. Here she fabricates and sells her jewelry of fine silver (.999 pure), sterling (.925 – .960 pure), and karat golds incorporated with traditional precious gems and unusual high quality mineral specimens. Most of the sterling silver used in her pieces is low-tarnish sterling. Jewelry with the N. Karpel hallmark expresses a revival of the methods of ancient artisans integrated with modern fabrication techniques.

services at the studio:
Custom Designing and Restyling- is a specialty at N. Karpel Studio. You can bring us your own ideas or have Nancy work with you on a design. Many clients bring us outdated pieces to re-style, or a precious stone for which we will design a setting. Call us to find out more about the custom design process.

• Original Wedding Ring Designs- Choose from our collection of classic and contemporary wedding ring designs or have your wedding set designed especially for you in 14k, 18k, 22k gold , or sterling silver.
• Appraisals- You may obtain written appraisals for jewelry purchased from N. Karpel Studio at no additional charge. We also provide fee-based insurance appraisals for your jewelry made of gold, silver, or diamonds. Nancy has earned certification by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in diamond grading.
• Restringing- Have your worn or broken strands of pearls or semi-precious and precious stone beads expertly restrung, knotted or un-knotted, on silk or other appropriate cord.
• Repairs- Have your silver and gold repairs done on-premises at N. Karpel Studio. Examples are broken chains, ring sizing, stone replacements, fixing broken earrings posts, etc… We also clean and restore jewelry and sterling silver flatware.  
• Diamond Re-cutting and Repair We can arrange to have poorly cut or chipped diamonds re-cut, restored, and renewed to their ultimate brilliance. Information is available on request.

The studio is open to the public by appointment and during seasonal open-studio hours. This ensures private and personal service in a relaxed environment. Call the studio for an appointment to view the entire collection in person or to discuss a special project.

Check our News Page periodically for open-studio hours, exhibits, special sales, and informative jewelry news and advice. Please e-mail us if you have any questions or comments about our jewelry, or general jewelry questions.

Ordering and returns: Call or email us to purchase jewelry from our website. We will respond in a timely manner. We accept all major credit cards and process through Square-Up Invoices. Shipping is free for orders over $250. Sales tax is added to orders shipped to CT addresses. Web purchased items are returnable for exchange only, within 10 days of purchase. No cash, check or credit card refunds.