The popular rock-duo Billy and Barry in the Backyard return to Joy & Company for jewelry-making fun
Sep 26, 2023 10:40AM ● By Content EditorBy Alex Dobbins and Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - September 26, 2023
The 2023 Art Along the Lakes Fall Studio Tour is underway and has highlighted many artists around Cook County, including the father and son duo Billy and Barry Larsen. Billy and Barry in the Backyard (as they're known) have supplied local Grand Marais store Joy & Company with many of their rocks and minerals for the last 4-5 years, as well as selling their jewelry in-store. Sentiments from the store about the two include "They mean the world to us", and "they are so much fun."
Billy is a self-taught silversmith of over 20 years, and by learning these skills, has been able to turn his jewelry-making dream into a reality. Not only do these Duluthians spend their free time rock hunting; but they will travel throughout the United States mining and attending rock and mineral shows to bring the community beautiful and unique pieces.
During this visit, Billy and Barry helped over 40 people design their own pendant or ring at the store, and 100 people came in just to see them.
According to Rachel Rae Klesser, Joy & Company's General Manager and COO, "They are a huge draw for us at Joy - as all of the days they visit, we pull our biggest sales days of the year. This year we received a micro grant from Visit Cook County which helps us bring them up more often."
And more often is the plan moving forward. In previous years, they came to town only once a year during the Grand Marais Art Festival in July, but now they are committed to at least visiting in July and September. Therefore, if you did not catch them this weekend, keep an eye out next summer.
Billy and Barry help supply the rocks and minerals for Joy & Company in Grand Marias
A beautiful raw agate from the Billy and Barry collection
An outdoor sign for Joy & Company informing the public on Art Along the Lake artist
Barry and Billy Larson working on their jewelry during Cook County's 2023 Art Along the Lake Fall Studio Tour
A beautiful raw agate from the Billy and Barry collection
Various stones and agates ready to be crafted into rings and necklaces
Barry and Billy Larson working on their jewelry during Cook County's 2023 Art Along the Lake Fall Studio Tour
Barry and Billy Larson working on their jewelry during Cook County's Art Along the Lake with granddaughter/ daughter Zoeë
One area of Billy and Barry's workstation
A ruin shot plate used for making unique pieces
Beautiful agate necklace with raw agates around their workspace
Various stones and agates ready to be crafted into rings and necklaces
The first two pieces (left to right) are Indonesian coral stone, and the third piece is Indonesian Petrified Palm Wood
A collection of Thompsonite from Billy and Barry
To learn more about Joy and Company, visit: https://joy-and-company.com/
To learn more about the 2023 Art Along the Lakes Fall Studio Tour, visit: https://www.visitcookcounty.com/event/art-along-the-lake%3a-fall-studio-tour/664/