TITLE: From Horse Farming to Fine Silver & Stone Inlay

In this episode, we sit down with talented silversmith Nancy Brackett, to explore her remarkable creative pivot—transitioning from 33 years of running a horse farm to building a small business around handmade silver and stone inlay jewelry.

She shares how taking an intensive lapidary workshop changed her artistic direction forever, taking us behind the bench to explain how raw gemstones are transformed into refined cabochons, how custom silver bezels are constructed, and the precision required for stone inlay work. Stick around for live studio demonstrations showing how she grinds stones into cabochons and saws stone slabs for inlay!

In this episode we cover:

• Moving from running a horse farm to launching her own jewelry business.

• Intensive lapidary workshop that sparked her passion for stone cutting and silversmithing

• The step-by-step transformation of raw, rough stone into smooth, polished cabochons ready for setting.

• The technical process of shaping, fitting, and soldering silver wire to hold custom gemstones.

• The precision, patience, and techniques required to fit multiple stone pieces into silver channel work.

• Studio Demo 1 (Grinding): A live look at shaping and grinding raw stone on the lapidary wheel to craft a cabochon. View live demo on youtube here https://youtu.be/ONrx63ptQ7s at 30:37

• Studio Demo 2 (Sawing): A live demonstration of cutting a thin stone slab using a trim saw to prepare materials for inlay. View live demo on youtube here https://youtu.be/ONrx63ptQ7s at 33:39

Question for you: What’s your favorite gemstone to see featured in handmade jewelry, and would you ever take a lapidary class yourself? Let us know in the comments below!

Connect with us and our guest: 

• Guest Website/Instagram: https://www.mycornerstudiosilver.com/the-artist.html

             https://www.facebook.com/MyCornerStudio/

             https://www.instagram.com/mycornerstudio/

• Podcast email: [email protected]

Videography and video editing supported by Cassidy Fowler.

If you loved the peek into this artist’s studio, hit the Like button, Subscribe to the channel, and don’t forget to come back next week where we explore her annual trips to the Tucson Gem Show, her lapidary studio community, and essential career advice for aspiring silversmiths!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro and getting started 

4:19 - Learning the Craft: Inside the Lapidary Workshop

6:40 - Unearthing the Palette: The Stones of the Jewelry

10:05 - Romancing the stone

20:53 - Sourcing in Tucson: World’s Largest Gem Showcase

27:46 - The Crafting Process: Cabochons, Bezels and Inlay

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council

Breaking Barriers and Using Power Tools

We continue our conversation with artist, woodworker, and SUNY Potsdam art educator Katie Schuler to explore the world of zero-waste craftsmanship and sustainable design.

In this episode, Katie takes us deep into her shop for a hands-on look at her craft. She breaks down the unique characteristics of different local wood species, gives us a live demonstration on mastering power tools safely and confidently, and shares invaluable advice for novice woodworkers looking to start their own journey.

In Part 2, we cover:

• The unique traits of different local hardwoods and softwoods

• Live demo: Using power tools safely and effectively

• How to build confidence using heavy shop machinery

• Wise words and actionable advice for beginner artists

Question for you: What is your favorite type of wood to work with? Let us know in the comments below! 

Connect with Us & Our Guest:

• Guest Website/Instagram: https://www.schulerwood.com/

                                           https://www.facebook.com/p/Schuler-Woodworks-100070774194904/

https://www.instagram.com/schulerwoodworks/

• Podcast email: [email protected]

Videography and video editing supported by Cassidy Fowler.

If you loved the peek into this artist’s studio, hit the Like button, Subscribe to the channel, and don’t forget to come back next week for a new artist!

DEMO: There is a live demo in this episode. To see the demo on YouTube, go to: https://youtu.be/ct50IQEWpHU. Demo starts at 5:25

Coming Up Next Week: From running a horse farm to crafting fine stone inlay jewelry, discover how artist, silversmith Nancy Brackett turned a passion for precious metals into a lifelong career.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

00:41 - The Artistic Process

5:25 - Demo

18:24 - The Most Satisfying Moment in Woodworking

19:38 - Matching Wood Types to Fine Art

21:03 - Resin and Restored Wood: Turning Flaws into Function

23:54 - Making Your First Cut: Tips for Aspiring Makers

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council

In this episode, we sit down with artist, woodworker, and SUNY Potsdam art educator Katie Schuler to explore the world of zero-waste craftsmanship and sustainable design.

As a self-described "minimalist waste worker," Katie builds large-scale furniture and transforms every remaining scrap, fallen local timber and decayed wood—into unique wall art, home decor, and jewelry. Join us as she shares her inspiring journey, breaks down how she overcame initial tool anxiety to empower herself with heavy machinery, and demonstrates how to revive damaged wood using resin.

In this episode, we cover:

• Her early roots woodworking alongside her dad

• Overcoming tool fear, mastering power tools and empowering women in the workshop

• Sourcing local woods and crafting zero-waste art

• The philosophy of zero-waste and minimalist woodworking

• How being an art educator influences her studio practice

Question for you: What was the first power tool you learned to use, and how did you feel the first time you picked it up? Let us know in the comments below! 

Connect with Us & Our Guest:

• Guest Website/Instagram: https://www.schulerwood.com/

   https://www.facebook.com/p/Schuler-Woodworks-100070774194904/

https://www.instagram.com/schulerwoodworks/

• Podcast email: [email protected]

Videography and video editing supported by Cassidy Fowler.

If you loved the peek into this artist’s studio, hit the Like button, Subscribe to the channel, and don’t forget to come back next week where she shows a live demo on making some coasters and a pair of earrings with wood scraps!

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Intro

00:41 - From Scraps to Art: Getting Started

4:39 - The Origin Story

8:53 - Learning in the Shop: From Daughter to Master Artist

10:35 - Learning through Teaching 

16:54 - The Minimalist Mindset: Sustainable Woodworking 

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council

Step into the world of complete farm-to-fabric creativity! This week we continue our conversation with master fiber artist Dayna Lancaster who does it all: from raising her own herd of adorable alpacas (who each have a character and fiber of their own!) to spinning custom yarns and crafting intricate quilts.

In Part 2: Today, we step out of the spinning room and right up to the frame as our featured fiber artist takes us behind the scenes of her craft and shares her complete quilting process.

Watch as she introduces us to "Fran"—her specialized longarm quilting machine—and gives us a live, hands-on demonstration of how she turns raw fabric and intricate concepts into functional textile art. She shares where her design inspirations come from, how her time on the farm influences her creative patience, and what she hopes every person feels when wrapped up in one of her finished pieces.

In this episode:

• Meet "Fran": Live demo on her specialized quilting machine

• Design & Concept: How she plans her intricate patterns and motifs

• Spark to Stitch: Where she finds inspiration for every new quilt

• Farm-Taught Patience: Lessons the land and herd taught her about the slow craft

• Wrapped in Intention: The feeling and comfort she hopes to share with every wearer

• Connect & Shop: How to bring her quilts, yarn, and handmade pieces home

Question for you: What is one technique, insight, or lesson from today's chat that you’ll be taking into your own creative space? Let us know in the comments below!

Connect with Us & Our Guest:

• Guest Website/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockhollowfarmny/

                                           https://rockhollowfarm.net/

• Podcast email: [email protected]

If you loved this peek into the studio, hit the Like button, Subscribe to the channel, and don’t forget to come back next week for a new artist! 

DEMO: There is a video demo in this episode. To see the demo on YouTube, go to: 

https://youtu.be/pBQEo_xlj0Y

Demo is between 6:31 and 15:20

Coming Up Next Week: Breaking barriers with power tools: zero-waste woodworking and sustainable art with artist and art educator Katie Schuler!

Videography and video editing supported by Cassidy Fowler.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

00:46 - Expanding the Craft: Entering the World of Quilting 

2:00 - Behind the Patterns 

3:43 - Visions in the Fabric 

6:31 - Meet Fran! Quilting Demo

15:20 - Hooks to Needles: Changing Mediums

17:50 - Lessons Rooted In the Land

20:11 - Warmth Behind the Thread: Connecting With the Wearer

22:28 - How to Take a Piece of Her Craft Home 

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council

From Alpaca Herd to Longarm Quilts: Inside a Master Fiber Artist's Studio

Step into the world of complete farm-to-fabric creativity! In the next couple of episodes, we sit down with a master fiber artist who does it all: from raising her own herd of adorable alpacas (who each have a character and fiber of their own!) to spinning custom yarns and crafting intricate quilts.

In Part 1: Watch step-by-step as she shares her techniques and gives us live demos on her spinning wheel. You'll see how raw alpaca fleece and mixed fibers transform into luxurious hand-spun yarn, cozy hand-knits, and detailed crocheted scarves. Plus, stick around for exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the alpacas who make it all possible!

Question for you: Which part of the process was your favorite? Mine were the Alpacas! Let us know in the comments below!

In this episode:

• Meet the alpaca herd behind the fiber

• Spinning wheel demo: Crafting custom alpaca and blended yarns

• Showcasing handmade knitwear and crocheted scarves

• Insights into her creative process, tools, and daily routine

Coming Up Next Week: From Fleece to Frame: Live Quilting Demo

Connect with Us & Our Guest:

• Guest Website/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockhollowfarmny/

                                           https://rockhollowfarm.net/

• Podcast email: [email protected]

If you loved this peek into the studio, hit the Like button, Subscribe to the channel, and don’t forget to come back next week where she shows another live demo and talks about her quilting process! 

DEMO: There is a live demo in this episode. To see the demo on YouTube, go to: 

https://youtu.be/nI0-005A_d8 starts at 15:07

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction and Welcome

00:30 - Roots of the Studio

1:52 - Every Alpaca has a Character (and a Fiber)

3:15 - The Process

10:26 - Day in the Life: Barn to Studio

15:07 - Spinning Some Yarn! (DEMO)

22:04 - Blending Yarn and Creating Art

29:39 - Meet the Boys! (ALPACAS!)

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council

Welcome to the second episode of ‘North Country Voices Podcast Series’!

In this episode, I continue my conversation with Catherine LaPointe Vollmer. She is an amazingly versatile artist who does it all—from plein air and pastel landscapes to children's book illustrations, logo design, and vintage WPA-style travel posters. We dive deep into her creative journey, her inspiration, and how she developed her signature artistic style. 

In Part 2, she talks about how she developed her unique style to create posters in the WPA (retro) style. She also talks about her logo designing and behind the scenes process to create the logos. She also shares her thoughts for up and coming artists!

Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a seasoned painter, or simply love a good creative story, there’s plenty to take away from this conversation.

Question for you: What was your favorite insight or takeaway from today's podcast? Let us know in the comments!

Connect with Us & Our Guest:

• Guest Website/Instagram: https://www.lionheartgraphics.com/ 

                                          https://www.facebook.com/LaPointeLionheartGraphics/ 

• Podcast email: [email protected]

Videography and video editing supported by Cassidy Fowler. 

Don't forget to Like and Subscribe so you don't miss another episode with a brand new artist! We’ve exciting interviews lined up including alpacas!

If you’re new here, don’t forget to watch Part 1 of this artist’s interview.

Visual content: The artist shows us some of her logos in this episode. To see the logos, go to:

https://youtu.be/dooChBVGbzs

Between 19:00 and 22:17. 

Timestamps: 

00:00 Intro

00:35 Residency in France

05:23 Early days and internship

07:34 Crafting the WPA style

09:30 Designing the scene

12:35 What’s next

13:06 Finding the creative compromise

14:54 Bringing the client’s vision to life

16:43 Logo designing - the process

22:18 Balancing business and creativity

24:45 Wisdom for the next generation - perseverance pays!

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.

Welcome to the very first episode of ‘North Country Voices Podcast Series’!

In this debut episode, I sit down with an amazingly versatile artist who does it all—from plein air and pastel landscapes to children's book illustrations, logo design, and vintage WPA-style travel posters. We dive deep into her creative journey, her inspiration, and how she developed her signature artistic style.

In Part 1, we cover: How she first got started in the art world, her fascination with capturing light and shadows and a Live Demo! Watch as she demonstrates her pastel painting technique step-by-step!

Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a seasoned painter, or simply love a good creative story, there’s plenty to take away from this conversation.

Question for you: What was your favorite insight or takeaway from today's demo? Let us know in the comments!

Connect with Us & Our Guest:

Guest Website/Instagram:

https://www.lionheartgraphics.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LaPointeLionheartGraphics/

Podcast email: [email protected]

Videography and video editing supported by Cassidy Fowler.

Don't forget to Subscribe so you don't miss Part 2, where we talk about her illustration work, poster design, and more!

Demo

There is a video demo in this episode. To see the demo on YouTube, go to:

https://youtu.be/_gGZ7ILZuQQ

and start at 17:35. 

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

00:43 - Getting started with Art

2:13 - Playing with Shadows

3:42 - Layering color

7:31 - Plein Air Life

13:25 - Choosing palettes and locations

15:49 - Trees are people too!

17:35 - Demo

36:35 - Finished painting

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council