Slowmade: Nourishing Conversations for Jewelry Artists and Metalsmiths

When I started my business, I didn’t have much of a plan other than making jewelry and selling it so I could make more jewelry. I found Etsy and at that time it was easy enough to navigate. Everything felt “figure outable” to quote Marie Forleo and for the most part it was during those early months. Every time I would sell something I felt hopeful that I could really do this. But I really was flyi...

Have you ever wondered how some makers seem to be able to do it all so damn well? They single handedly run what appears to be busy and successful businesses while creating high volumes of work, that their fans snatch up as soon as the pieces becomes available. They have a large, engaged Instagram following… and why wouldn’t they? They even do Instagram so well… consistently sharing their work, the...

I don’t know about you but one of the things I have really enjoyed in talking with other jewelry artists is hearing their journeys of how they found themselves bitten by the jewelry bug. For some, it began with early memories of dress up or rooting through a loved one’s collection of jewelry. For others, a series of event brought them unexpectedly to metal but the love for the craft was immediate....

You know when I think back to my early days of making jewelry, I could give you the names of two people in particular I followed and admired. Jess Cote would be one of the two, though for years I only knew her by her business name, Rosy Revolver. Even in her early years, she had a signature style that clearly defined her brand. I’ve really enjoyed following Jess over the years. Her work is ever ev...

Catherine Chandler is a jewelry artist I’ve known from my EtsyMetal Team days. Even back then, Catherine was a ray of light in our rather tight knit group and she was always eager to support ohers. She is still that light within our Instagram jewelry community… and I’m sure if Catherine follows you, she has cheered you on from the sidelines many times. Sitting down with Catherine felt like re-conn...

Today, I’m talking with a jewelry artist I’ve been rather obsessed with for a while now, Ann Chikahisa. Ann creates bold, yet wearable every day jewelry. Her talisman pieces are among my favorite and I’m excited to say that I now own one of Ann’s heart built talismans. But Ann’s jewelry is one reason I have been enthralled by her. She is doing something so many of us (including myself) have a hard...

I wanted to take some time during this Monday Minisode to share what is currently working for me in my business.  I've been taking Jenna Kutcher's Pinterest Lab course and I wanted to share my stats after almost 30 days of making some small changes. Is this course all hype? Well, I'm not even half way through the course and I can say that the changes I have made are working quite well as promised....

Today I’m sharing my conversation with Colin Miller, the owner of the Artisan’s Bench. I love hearing the stories of business owners and what called them to start their business. Colin   shares his journey of working with his mother in her high quality, imported rug business to eventually taking the reins and forming what is now the Artisan’s Bench. The Artisan’s Bench carries work from several of...

For this Monday Minisode I jwanted to take a few minutes to talk about the Slowmade Community - my vision, next steps, and how you can help. I'm ready to build it! Are you in? Slowmade Community email sign up link: https://mailchi.mp/christinemighion/the-slowmade-community Website: www.christinemighion.com Instagram: @christinemighion

These days it feels like so many of us are trying to find new and meaningful ways to connect with our customers. One of the themes that continues to play out during my conversations with other makers is their frustration with Instagram and what to do next.   Today I’m sitting down with Nicole Conklin and talking about her business, Arrok Jewelry. Nicole shares so many good things and during this i...

I just wanted to bring you an extra mini episode each week on Monday's to give you little something to think about as you start your week off. I want to dive a little deeper into some of the challenges we face as makers and give you some encouragement. And really this is as much for as it is for you.   The "Big I" is definitely not as fun as the "Big O", right? And can I just tell you that I was n...

I will forever be grateful to my sister-in-law, Sandra, who came over every Tuesday without fail to cook dinner and watch our children so I could attend an evening metalsmithing course at our local museum. This opportunity allowed me to not only have some time to myself as my husband was working long hours, but she gave me the gift of being able to follow my dreams of becoming an artist. And a cou...

When I began making jewelry 20+ years ago, sharing about your craft wasn't a thing unless you had peers close by willing to talk openly. There seemed to be an underlying fear that if you shared information, whether it was on a technique or a stone supplier, you may find this person doing similar work in the future. Does that happen? Well, I'm not going to lie... it's happened to me a handful of ti...

Today I'm chatting with the very talented Nisa Smiley! We touch on so many good things like allowing trust and joy to be your guide in life and your art. I can certainly get caught up in the mind chatter telling me to be mindful that I need to make work that will pay the bills.  We also talk about the artistic and emotional value of our work to our customers. Although we don't spend a lot of time...

Taylor Saleem has the secret sauce... no she IS the secret sauce when it comes to building a handmade business and Instagram account that just pulls you in. After looking through her Instagram profile for a few minutes I know you will get exactly what I'm saying. She is brings an honest connection to her customers and others in the jewelry community, and that is just what we all need right now. My...

In this episode I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Jess Guerrieri, or maybe better known by her Instagram name JessJewelry. Jess shares her challenges with balancing creativity, the demands of sustaining a viable business, and the burnout that often comes along with this. We cover so many other good things including building lasting friendships within the jewelry community, collaboration...

We spend countless hours in our studios and more behind the screen editing photos, answering emails, listing, and sharing our work. It can feel very solitary for even someone like me who absolutely loves my alone time. Yet I think it is worth the freedom to create businesses that work in our lives and the pleasure of doing something we truly love.   Today, I’m speaking with my friend, Emily Webste...

Today, I'm talking with Lucy Golden. Lucy and I only recently connected, though when I saw her work it felt familiar. Sure enough, Lucy sells some of her nature inspired jewelry on Uncommon Goods. Lucy takes us on her 35 year jewelry making journey from high school where she participated in two month-long intensive independent study jewelry classes to working in the fashion jewelry industry in Man...

There’s a lot to talk about when it comes to selling our work and making a living as an artist. I think the more we have honest conversations and share our experiences, the more we can learn and feel supported. Just because you love what you do, doesn’t mean that making a living as an artist is all rainbows and butterflies. Making a  living not only means charging enough to cover each and every ex...

Each one of us is on our own creative journey. We may be in different places at this time, but I think we can all learn something from each other no matter where we are. I know that each conversation on Slowmade has left me with more clarity and knowledge than I had before, and that is the beauty of community. I’m also deeply grateful to have the opportunity to get to know each artist a little mor...

There are few things I find more enjoyable than having a really good conversation with someone who truly understands the magic of creating. That feeling of excitement when you something catches your eye (or your imagination) and you know that is the breadcrumb you need to follow. And of course, then there is the feeling once you have fully birthed your creation and cut the cord to your own soul.  ...

Welcome to our first episode of 2024! Today I'm speaking with Canadian metalsmith, Robin McGauley. Robin shares her journey from leaving a career she loved as an ordained minister in order to follow a deeper longing to create beauty with her hands as well as her heart. We talk about abandoning fear, healing ourselves with the medicine of our work, the link between voice and vocation, deepening the...

For our final episode of 2023, I'm talking with Carin Jones of Jonesing For Jewelry. Carin talks about the choice to leave her chosen field of zoology to pursue her dreams of owning her own jewelry business only to later build the studio of her dreams and the bigger vision behind this. We talk about our love of the muse and creating one of a kind work, and how her business continues to nourish her...

Are you really charging enough to support the life you want? Well, after a deep dive into my own pricing recently I'm embarrassed to say that I lost all business sense when it came to my pricing structure. Oh I know better. Believe me I do. I've taken more business courses, tried numerous formulas, and understand the nuances of perceived value, but when I changed direction with my business structu...

In this technically challenged episode, I had the honor of speaking with Kathy Van Kleeck.  We talk about her transition from successful jewelry designer to slowing down and moving into her vision of "Tending a Handmade Life", how she allows her intuition and spirit to guide her as she creates, how experimentation plays a big role in her craft, and so so much more. I think this is a really valuabl...