If you’ve ever craved a piece of jewelry that expresses your individuality, rather than looking like one of thousands of identically manufactured bits of bling, you may already have discovered J Bliss Studios Goldsmith and Gallery. Since its founding five years ago, it has been Woodstock’s go-to shop for custom wedding rings or for new settings for heirloom gemstones. Or you may simply have wandered into the funky little studio at the end of Lotus Lane while exploring the town and found yourself in a magical otherworld – populated not only by Joanna Bliss’ extraordinary metalwork, but also by the paintings and drawings of her husband Jared Bliss.
Everything for sale in the shop is handmade by the couple, who are both Ulster County natives. Jared grew up in Hurley, the son of a graphic designer, surrounded by art and creating it from an early age with a characteristically meticulous hand. “Ever since I was a little kid, everything I drew was really small,” he recalls. At school, he excelled in math and science, but switched his interests to literature and philosophy when it came time to attend college at SUNY Purchase.
Jared’s lifelong immersion in science fiction and fantasy literature, in particular, spills out into his artwork. Whether it’s a framed illustration or notecard, or a three-dimensional object such as a wooden ring dish, Christmas tree ornament or set of matryoshki dolls, each of his creations draws the viewer into fanciful worlds populated by winsome woodland creatures, prancing robots, drifting jellyfish, a plaid stegosaurus, swirling galaxies. If all you want is a closeup of a sprig of juniper berries or a windblown dandelion seedhead, he can make you that as well.
Joanna grew up in Tillson, took her first jewelrymaking class while attending Kingston High School and apprenticed with Shellie David in Woodstock from the age of 16. She later got her BFA in SUNY New Paltz’s highly regarded metals program; but she also minored in business, knowing that she’d want to open her own shop eventually.
The hallmark of Joanna’s work is the uniqueness of each piece. Even though she creates what might be called “series,” repeating favorite motifs such as leaf patterns, undulating ridgelines, suns and moons, no two look exactly alike. She doesn’t use molds, nor does she aim for a highly polished finish. “My favorite thing to do is work directly in the metal,” she says. “It’s got the maker’s hand in it.” One is not surprised to learn that she shares Jared’s tastes in literature; jewelry by Joanna might easily have been crafted by elves or dwarves in an epic fantasy novel.
The pair first met at Kingston High School, but didn’t connect romantically until running into each other again after college. They married in 2014, took the plunge to rent a storefront together not long thereafter and now have a three-year-old son, Ember. “We’ve survived through COVID with the business all right, which made us have more confidence in the business. The kind of people wanting to support local businesses kept coming in,” Joanna reports. “We’re shy, but we like connecting with people.”
That is fortunate, and not only for the financial wellbeing of this creative little family. Right now, they’ve got a crowdfunding appeal posted on Kickstarter, aiming to raise $6,500 by May 15. Happily, their community of admirers has responded, and $5,356 had already been pledged as of Hudson Valley One’s presstime.
The project for which the Blisses are seeking funding was inspired by repeated queries about what books Jared’s drawings and paintings had illustrated. So far, there hasn’t been one, although, he says, “A book was something I always wanted to do.” Now he has written a story to accompany a series of illustrations that follow the adventures of a charming hybrid animal named Valynn, who resembles a deer with the bushy tail of a fox. Jared calls the narrative “a journey of self-discovery,” set in a wondrous world that springs to vivid life in 12 of his ink-and-watercolor paintings. The exquisite detail and subtle, luminous color of the landscapes, seascapes and night skies of this magical world cry out for reproduction in bookplate form, and for sharing with the children in your life.
You can get a peek at some of them, as well as pledge your support and reserve your signed first edition of Valynn for only $30, at www.kickstarter.com/projects/jblissstudios/valynn. “The books will be printed on high-quality paper, hardcover bound, with full-color offset printing,” promise the Blisses. But that will only happen if they reach their Kickstarter goal in time. Support levels begin at $1, which will get you a digital scan of an illustration that you can use as wallpaper on your smartphone, e-notebook or PC. If you can manage a $2,200 pledge, not only will you put them over the top, but you’ll also get to own one of the original artworks, matted and framed, when the book project is completed.
To delve further into the creative output of J Bliss Studios, visit www.jblissstudios.com, www.facebook.com/jblissstudios, www.instagram.com/jblissstudios or www.pinterest.com/jblissstudios. Or just pop into the shop at 39a Tinker Street in the heart of downtown Woodstock, open from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday.
Join the family! 
