An Artisan Among Us

Robert Dempsey, owner of Robert’s Heirloom Rosaries, is a gifted and unique artisan of unbreakable heirloom quality rosaries and chaplets.  It only takes a few minutes of engaging conversation with Dempsey to sense his passion for his work.  Each piece Dempsey produces is hand-made using a continuous wire wrap process, heirloom quality settings, 100% natural semi-precious stones, and craftsmanship that will allow any of the inimitable sacramental designs to be passed from generation to generation.  The other component that makes these pieces so exceptional is the research which goes into each design.  Each sacramental piece is birthed out of Dempsey’s research of the history of chaplets and rosaries, finding uncommon designs, then bringing new life to them and making them available to his customers.  The silversmith who creates the settings used in Dempsey’s designs travels the world to find unique, museum quality, antique sacramentals dating back, in some cases, hundreds of years.  The silversmith then creates a mold of the historical settings and casts a new setting in the newly created mold, thereby duplicating the original historical design.  Dempsey then uses these historical settings to craft his timeless chaplets and rosaries.  Each rosary and chaplet sold comes with a historic description of the piece and the specific prayers meant to be used with the design, another value added feature of his work.

Dempsey hasn’t always worked at this skillful art.  Growing up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, he moved to Battle Creek almost forty years ago.  Most of his professional career was as a Civil Servant working at the Federal Center in Battle Creek.  There he worked in Computer Programming, Computer Security, and as a Technical Writer.  His role at the Federal Center required him to travel to various parts of the world.  However, being a well traveled, seasoned programmer and technical writer does not necessarily prepare one to become an artisan.  Fortunately, Dempsey always maintained his roots within the Catholic Church.  “The rosary has always been a part of my life”, he states.  “I remember at my First Communion, around the age of nine, I received my first rosary from the Priest and I still have it today.”  But, it wasn’t until about six years ago that Dempsey ventured into the world of such artistic design.  While he has always enjoyed art, his journey into sacramental design was birthed several years ago when he began looking for a new rosary for himself.  Dempsey says, “I began looking in various religious goods stores and then decided to try looking on the internet.  Between the internet stores and eBay I was just overwhelmed by the beautiful rosaries that were being made by such talented people.  I have always been artistically inclined and my interest in trying my hand at this grew by leaps and bounds very quickly.  I was very impressed by the look of a wire wrapped rosary and handmade bow connectors.  So, I researched the internet for a book on wire wrapping techniques.  After finding the book, I bought a spool of very inexpensive galvanized 20 gauge, half hard wire, a pair of bent nose and needle nose pliers, rosary pliers and cutters.  For the next six months every evening I sat in front of the TV with my book, wire, and tools and twisted wire.  I went through lots of wire until I felt comfortable enough to attempt my first chaplet with sterling silver.  Now, 99% of my rosaries and chaplets are made of sterling or solid bronze.  I recently began making some in copper and have introduced lamp work beads, which is hand blown glass, into my designs.”  

Three years ago Dempsey retired from his position at the Federal Center and now is a full time artisan. He has been surprised at how many people have an interest in his art form.  While he has created many designs, most of his work is customized to his customer’s specifications.  Dempsey says his orders come from all over the world, with the majority of customers being from Canada.  But, in addition to the United States and Canada, he has shipped his designs to England, Puerto Rico, Italy, and Australia.  The only advertising he does is through the Internet on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and his blog, which now has over 12,000 hits.  Additionally, he belongs to the Rosary Guild on Etsy and the Rosary Guild Team blog.  Dempsey receives several e-mails daily complimenting him on his work from individuals who have seen or received his designs.  His clientele seems to be mainly the more senior age group who are buying his product as gifts for special occasions, such as, Lent, Easter, Confirmation, First Communion,   birthdays, and anniversaries.  However, he does receive a significant number of design requests from younger generation individuals as well as collectors.  According to Dempsey, “there are 67 million Catholics in the United States, 2.1 billion Catholics worldwide, and it is estimated that every single minute of every day someone is praying the rosary.”  His business has doubled in the past three years with a lot of repeat customers and he anticipates his business will triple within the next five years.  

In regard to the methodology of his creations, Dempsey says, “I like to pick a theme for my rosaries and chaplets, then build my design around that theme.  It begins with the rosary center and crucifix or hanging medal selection, followed by selecting just the right color for the Aves and then deciding how to present the Pater Nosters.  A significant amount of thought goes into selecting just the right connectors to join the decades together. Many times I can find special connectors that perfectly fit my theme.  I am constantly redesigning until I know I have given this sacramental the full justice and beauty it deserves. A number of my inspiration ideas come from the mysteries of the rosary itself.  For example, recently I found some beautiful stones shaped like old stone water jugs.  My inspiration from these stones is the "Wedding at Cana".  From there I begin designing my new rosary.”

The most unusual custom order Dempsey has received came from Mexico.  The request was for a “Lasso Rosary”.  This type of rosary is traditionally used in Mexican Catholic wedding ceremonies.  It is basically two separate rosaries bound together.  After the exchange of wedding vows, the Lasso Rosary is placed around the bride and groom in the form of an “8”, the symbol of infinity, to symbolize their everlasting union.  This is usually done by the officiant, however, family members can also take part in the ritual.  The couple then wears the lasso throughout the remainder of the ceremony.  

While this artistry is a passion for Dempsey, it is also a business. Each day there are e-mails to respond to, blogs to write, customers to talk to, designs to complete, and orders to ship.  Dempsey is an example of what America was built upon.  Dempsey states, “When our ancestors originally came to this country from Poland, Germany, Ireland, or Italy, most of them came with a trade.  They opened their own businesses and established themselves in America because they knew they could make a better life for their family.  The industrial age drew people out of small business to work for larger companies.  But, we are now turning back to people finding their own niche and creating a business for themselves.  I believe small business is the future of our country.”   

Dempsey’s designs can be seen at http://www.etsy.com/shop/robertd5198?ref=pr_shop_more or http://robertsheirloomrosaries.blogspot.com.  Dempsey can also be found on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/RobertsRosaries or you can contact him directly by e-mail at robertempsey79@yahoo.com.