Slowmade: Nourishing Conversations for Jewelry Artists and Metalsmiths

I'm sharing an encore of this fan favorite episode on New Year's Day while I take a little break. Ace McCasland, a metalsmith and jewelry artist, shares her journey and creative process in this conversation with Christine. Ace started Studio Luna Verde and creates unique, eclectic, and out-of-the-box jewelry, which she fittingly describes as "wildcrafted jewelry". She draws inspiration from her tr...

I'm sharing an encore of this fan favorite episode during the Christmas holiday while I take a much needed break. Restless and never really satisfied with the work she was doing as a painter, Julie Mahoney felt the weight of all the painters who better than her and she was often plagued with self doubt. Julie spent nearly 30 years as a professor of drawing and painting at a local university before...

When I think of Lisa Crowder’s work, I immediately go to her pop art style enameled hearts, lips, and skull pieces. Playful and artistic, I feel like wearing her jewelry would immediately put me in a great mood. Lisa has a gorgeous studio and gallery space in Austin, TX, and like so many retailers when Covid hit everything came to a screeching and uncertain halt. But as a seasoned artist, her crea...

Inspired by the natural beauty of rural Montana, Stacey Curry has been designing jewelry since she was 16. Stacey’s business, Star Hitched Wagon, features thoughtfully handcrafted jewelry and apothecary products reflecting her deep connection to nature, blending the simplicity of the plains with the spirit of the mountains. Each piece encourages individuality while honoring nature and loved ones....

I wouldn’t say I have a love hate relationship with casting, but I would say it’s complicated. On one hand it feels like I really need to gear up for it mentally because each time is an experiment and it’s a long process. But when it works, which thankfully has been more often than not, I’m left with a handful of shiny things to weave into my work. On the days I’ve felt a little more blocked, I’ve...

As a child growing up in Madison WI, Nora Feldman filled her days creatively, filming short movies and TV commercials, writing and performing songs, choreographing dance routines, painting, drawing, and even designing brochures for imaginary businesses. She scrapbooked, wood-burned, rock-tumbled, sewed, and even took up knitting… But above all else, Nora loved making jewelry.  Surprisingly though,...

Today you’ll hear my conversation with Kim Sheridan, maybe better known by her business name Metal Objects. Kim was as delightful to speak with as is her jewelry, which can only be described as colorful, fun, reminiscent of another time, and in her words, perhaps a bit quirky. And fun is one of the things that keeps Kim coming back to her craft again and again. She is curious and enjoys problem so...

When I sat down to chat with Jenny Foulkes, it soon became apparent (at least in my mind) that we were jewelry sisters from another mother. From the way we approach a design to our cabinets of curiosities filled with tiny sacred objects collected through the years, we seemed to have more in common than we didn’t. Jenny sees her jewelry as sacred objects to be worn, loved, and passed down… and I lo...

Twyla Dill turns intricately crocheted lace into solid metal through the process of casting. Her opulent fine jewelry helps to celebrate the wearer and tap into their own version of sexy. She is proudly queer and hopes to make beautifully unique handmade metal and gemstone jewelry for people in all walks of life and love. In this conversation, Twyla shares her journey as a jewelry artist, reflecti...

Jennifer Lisa is known to many by her business name Quench Metalworks. Born and raised in Maine, Jennifer received her BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from the Rhode Island School of Design. Handcrafted in sterling silver and unique gemstones, her jewelry collections are ever-evolving and draw inspiration from the balance of linear elements and organic shapes. Jennifer took a leap of faith and op...

Sarah Breivis is not only a talented metalsmith I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for years; she’s also a passionate woodworker, and an avid baker of decadent treats, with a love for exploring far-off places. What started our as a hobby in a stone carving class 25 years ago, turned into a full time passion. Sarah is a graduate of the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. In this episode, Sarah openly sha...

Kristin Larson along with and her husband, Richard are the creative duo behind Kristin's eponymous jewelry brand Kristin Larson Jewelry. They met while they were in school and have been a team ever since. Kristin creates soulful adornments that provide inspiration, comfort, and connection. Each piece is thoughtfully carved from wax and serve as tangible reminders that bring you home to yoursel...

When I started my business 20 years ago I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I didn’t go to business school and I never dreamed I would one day have my own business. I was as green as it gets. Looking back I know I never would have received the level of success and security within my business without the support of a group of incredible mentors and colleagues… often when I needed it the most...

Andrea & Bryan Ring are the creative duo behind Amuck Design. They met in college and have been collaborating ever since. Finding inspiration in graffiti, their work is known for its cohesive yet diverse styles, incorporating various materials like vintage pieces, license plates, and dice. In this conversation, Christine sits down with Andrea and her curious cat Victor. They discuss trade show...

Rebecca Lee (she/they) is a metalsmith interested in sacred adornment and its capacity to provide protection and healing for all intersections of marginalized people. Currently, Lee works primarily with sheet metal, hand piercing intuitive undulating shapes that mimic how water impacts our coastlines incorporating minerals and found objects near or in bodies of water. Rebecca also utilizes wax car...

Erin harris calls herself a “sentimental metalsmith” because that is what she specializes in: sentimental work in metal. Her work features both literal sentiment via the words and phrases she etches into blooming flowers and hinged butterflies, as well as the more intangible emotions evoked in personalized lockets and memorial reliquary.  “ I’m inspired by both nature and nostalgia, by love and by...

Tracey Carswell is the founder of Powerful in Pink and co-founder of Queer Metalsmiths. They work with artists, creatives, and small business owners to support their growth and development. Tracey shares their journey into metalsmithing and their passion for creating jewelry. They also discuss the importance of community support and collaboration in their work. Tracey created Queer Metalsmiths to...

Emily Joyce, an enamelist, sculptor, and jewelry maker, discusses her creative process and balancing her work with being a teacher and a mom. She shares her love for mechanisms and creating playful, nostalgic pieces. Emily talks about her struggles with displaying her work at art festivals and her desire to explore new techniques. She also offers one-on-one classes to teach others and finds inspir...

Kristen Kendrick Bigley, a metalsmith and owner of KKB Metal Studio with a fine arts background, shares her journey to metalsmithing and the influence of her artistic family. She discusses her transition from sculpture to jewelry-making and the challenges of working with different mediums. Kristen also talks about the importance of community and mentorship in her creative process. She shares her e...

Anya first stumbled across the opportunity to learn the craft of metal smithing while traveling solo in India for 6 months in 2016. Little did she know that her love for the craft would deepen and grow over the years to turn into her own small business of WabiSabi Silver. Anya is committed to living a joyful life that centers around sustainability. She is currently a part of a team that is at the...

In this episode, Christine Mighion talks with Liz Kantner and Laryssa Wirstiuk about marketing for independent jewelry artists. They discuss the challenges of marketing, the importance of branding, and strategies for building a strong brand presence. They emphasize the need for consistency, knowing your audience, and focusing on the bigger picture. They also address the common challenges of time m...

Tracey Timmons is an exhibiting artist and metalsmith who creates one of kind pieces of jewelry. She has been metalsmithing for about 10 years and is mostly self-guided, learning through books, videos, and trial and error. Tracey participates in art shows and exhibits her work, preferring the in-person experience where people can see and touch her creations. Tracey has recently been accepted to ex...

I’ve sat here for a bit thinking about what I wanted to say about today’s guest. Jen Prox-Weisblat who may be better known by her business name Prox or ProxArtist, is someone I’ve known and admired for a very long time. I’ve always seen Jen as a prolific jewelry artist, obsessed with quality and detail. Whenever I see a piece she has finished, my first thought is “Man I wonder how long that piece...

Being the complete stone geek that I am, when I first saw Kimberly Huestis’s jewelry my first thought was “wow, those stones are so cool!” and of course I wondered what they were. As I combed through her gorgeous IG profile It didn’t take long to realize that many of those “quote stones” were not stones at all, but beautiful porcelain cabochons that Kim lovingly handcrafts herself.  Almost instant...

Chris Anderson took a very different path into working with metal, yet the fit was undeniably perfect. I'm not going to give all the details away, but after retiring from law enforcement, Chris decided to put all of his energy into his business, Lion Punch Forge. I was so thrilled when Chris agreed to take some time out of his very busy schedule to have a conversation with me. He shared is jou...