Daily Inspiration: Meet Bill Ikler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Ikler.

Hi Bill, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was one of those kids who never stopped drawing after kindergarten. I attended the University of Illinois from 1966 to 1970 as a fine arts major and attended art classes at California State University in 1972. My jewelry career started in 1973 by an unlikely event: I hitchhiked a ride with a fellow who was part of a craft co-op in the mountains of Colorado. I was interested in what the New Atlantis silversmiths there were doing, and they took me under their wing and taught me how to fabricate jewelry from silver. I then apprenticed with goldsmith Carla Boyle who had her studio near the co-op. She taught me how to cast gold and silver by using lost-wax casting– a skill that I still use today.

My work is in collections throughout the United States, including jewelry pieces made for pianist Peter Kater, singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg, and ski film pioneer Warren Miller.

In conjunction with John Haertling Studios in Boulder, I sculpted several bronze portions of awards for the U.S. Olympic Committee. Copies of these awards were given to President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.

Recently, I realized a life-long dream when I visited The Louvre, the Musee’ d’Orsay, the Picasso and Rodin museums, and the Museé de L’Orangerie in Paris. I also stood in awe of the works of Vermeer and Rembrandt at the Riksmuseum in Amsterdam, as well as the Van Gogh Museum.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I started out, I wasn’t in a position to buy a full set of tools and equipment, so I bought tools one or two at a time as my work sold, and bought several pieces of used equipment. Since I make all of my jewelry designs by hand, my income has been limited by what I can produce, although it has been sufficient for me to create sculptures without the limitation of having to make pieces that are geared toward what will likely sell.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been designing jewelry both in wholesale and custom work for many years, and the most satisfying projects are where I have dealt directly with my clients. It has been immensely gratifying to create custom wedding rings that are unique designs for my clients, as well as my repertoire of styles.
I’ve had my sculpture and jewelry work in many exhibits in the Denver area, as well as both coasts. I do figurative sculpture as well as pieces made from recycled materials and found objects.
I’ve recently entered the realm of public art, having just installed a sculpture in the Nederland Library. It is called Book Man, a seven-foot-tall man reading a book– and he’s made from actual books.

How do you define success?
Success is seeing the smiles and sometime tears when my clients receive the wedding rings or other jewelry that I have created. It is also manifest in my sculptures when I go from concept sketch, to a scale model maquette, to the final result that is true to the initial concept.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://billiklerstudio.com