Gail Murphy Luhman

I love Montana. I was born and raised here, and I’ve felt so blessed to have raised my boys here in this beautiful state. My husband and I together have five children. (When we met, he had three girls and a cat, and I had two boys and a dog!)

Cool Water Jewelry was conceived and launched in 1994 when we lived on a small ranch in the foothills of Montana’s rugged Beartooth Mountains. We named our place “Coolwater Ranch”…”Cool Water” because our home was nestled between a clear tumbling creek and two spring-fed ponds, and “Ranch”, not for cattle, but for the Missouri Bullfrogs we discovered in the ponds, much to my boys’ delight! At that time the family’s horse and cattle ranch was located two hours away, in the more remote Bull Mountains – truly a piece of the “Old West”.

Breathtaking scenery, clean air, a restful way of life…All this really does make Montana “God’s Country.” I hope you enjoy your Cool Water Jewelry, and that for you, it does evoke the rustic beauty of Montana.

Materials

I love materials that are earthy and rugged! I have always found myself drawn to the raw, the rough, the weathered…but recently I have discovered the fun of working with more delicate shapes and shimmering hues. Mixing such differing components into a piece of jewelry is an exciting challenge. Some of the materials I use come from remote regions of the world: India, Africa, Thailand, China, Israel, Austria, and the Czech Republic. All of our pieces are made in the U.S.A., here in Joliet, Montana. We use only the finest materials: beautiful semi-precious gemstones like smoky quartz, sodalite, labradorite, rock crystal quartz, amazonite, green jade, carnelian, bloodstone…sparkling Swarovski crystals and Czech crystals, turquoise, coral, freshwater pearls, trade beads, and vintage American coins. I love working with these coins and feeling as if I’m holding a piece of our American heritage. Assembling all the different materials I use for jewelry design is fascinating. I meticulously handcraft each piece into art/jewelry that is rustic, original. fluid, often even wonderfully “musical”…for a style that is casual yet classy, simple yet elegant.

Tyler Murphy

Tyler Murphy is an emerging artist from Joliet, Montana. He has wanted to be an artist his whole life. In pursuit of his passion to refine and develop this talent, Tyler is enrolled at Montana State University – Bozeman.

Tyler’s work includes: signed blank note cards, original art and Giclee signed and numbered prints.

A giclee is a fine art print created using digital technology and the highest quality papers and inks. The word Giclee (pronounced zhee-clay) is French for “spray” or “spurt”, referring to the way the ink jet printer squirts millions of ink dots onto the substrate. This process can achieve more depth and detail than traditional art reproduction, resulting in a print that captures the essence of the original art work.

L.R. McGee

L.R. McGee - the finest in knit apparel…”A KNIT TREASURE FOR HER ULTIMATE PLEASURE”

L.R. (Lori) McGee is a graduate of Montana State University. She received her degree in Textiles and Fashion Merchandising – with an emphasis in Tailoring, Dress Design and Weaving.

Lori has been designing and knitting garments for more than 20 years. All pieces are hand loomed and occasionally a “Limited Edition” piece is introduced. She uses the finest of materials: luxurious chenille, lustrous French cotton and Egyptian cotton that is imported from Switzerland and noted for its superior quality.

Some of Lori’s unique touches include her own originally cast sterling buttons, replicating an ancient Navajo design, and hand made buttonholes in a hand latched band. Extra attention to detail creates an unmatched quality and the finished look is stunning! Signature designs include “Footloose” and his loyal companion “Lucky Lady”.

Lori and husband, Scott, lived in Santa Fe for two years, then moved to Albuquerque in ’86, where they continue to make their home.