Slowmade: Nourishing Conversations for Jewelry Artists and Metalsmiths

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, Nora chose a different career path in college worried that she wouldn’t be able to support herself as a jewelry artist.

During our conversation Nora shares how she rather unexpectedly birthed, Metalhead Jewelry when she found herself without a job due to the Covid shut downs. Going all in and dedicating herself to her craft, she quickly built a strong following.

Nora talks about about finding her unique voice, authenticity and social media, the importance of novelty in her designs, and the struggles she faces with being a creative entrepreneur. 

Follow Nora...

Instagram: @metalheadjewelry

Website: www.metalheadjewelry

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 solving through the making process. And while she enjoys trying new techniques and creating new designs for the fun of it, she is keenly aware that her collectors expect a certain style from her and she doesn’t share everything she makes. 

Kim and I talk about the importance of craft in our lives, especially when other things unexpectedly demand more of our time and love, like doing the hard work of caring for a family member. Kim openly shares about being a kidney transplant recipient which stirred a fascination for Ex Voto’s and work that has stemmed from that. We talk about the importance of having support from others in your craft while doing this thing called making a living with the things we make. And Kim offers a refreshing perspective on scaling down to the basics of what you really need in your making process making it much more affordable to start up and sustain a creative business. 

Follow Kim...

Instagram: ⁠@metalobjects⁠

Website: ⁠metalobjects.com⁠

On Etsy: ⁠metalobjects.etsy.com⁠

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 love this sentiment. 

Jenny’s work is elegant and at the same time earthy appealing to something deeper inside. Something perhaps forgotten or from another time. And of course her use of gold, texture, rich patina, and beautiful gemstones makes my heart beat a little faster.

I really loved this conversation with Jenny. She’s open about her challenges with balancing motherhood with the demands of business and show travel, the hurdles of social media and marketing, the role community has played in her success as an artist, ADHD and the creative mind, and the work of building a loyal fan base.

Bio...

Jenny Foulkes is a metalsmith, artist, jeweler and mother. Daughter of a painter father and psychologist mother, she grew up in the mountains edging Los Angeles, California. As a child, Jenny was always drawn to the tinier, more contained objects of art, be it man-made or natural. She spent much of her childhood scanning the world around her for rocks, insects, bird nests, skulls, etc. This attention to detail eventually led her to jewelry making.

Spending many years creating and selling beaded jewelry, Jenny yearned to learn more. In her mid-20's she moved from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon to attend Oregon College of Art and Craft and in 2011 graduated with a BFA in Metal Arts. Jenny has spent the years since finding her voice as an artist and building an inventory, all the while being a full-time mother. She sells her work at fine art and craft shows and online.

Jenny is driven to make work that is unusual and elegant. By merging darkened silver with gold she creates color and dimension. Each piece of jewelry is thoughtfully handmade and one of a kind. Combining unexpected elements such as faceted precious gemstones with organically textured darkened silver, she is able to create a feeling that is both fine and precious, yet earthy and warm. Jenny hopes that the focus and love she puts into each piece of jewelry is felt by the wearer.

Jenny on Instagram: ⁠@jennyfoulkesjewelry⁠

Jenny's Website: ⁠jennyfoulkesjewelry.com⁠

My guest today is Robin Wade and I think she has really mastered the art of weaving in story to each one of her pieces imbuing them with life and personality. I’ve loved her jewelry for a long time, but I’ve recently fallen head over heels in love with her ceramic rattles which you will hear us talk about today.

Robin’s journey as an artist began in high school, when her art teacher recognized she was going through a difficult time time and helped her work through her emotions with art. Influenced by the healing she received through her art practice and the memory of her supportive teacher, Robin began helping troubled and traumatized children find healing using art as therapy, an experience which has deeply impacted her artistic perspective. 

We talk about the intuitive process of creating art, balancing the business side of art with creativity, the importance of boundaries with custom work, and much more.

Bio:

Robin lives near the ocean in Southern California and has been an artist for many years working and teaching primarily in watercolor, sculpture, and jewelry. 

She grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and has lived in Oregon and Utah. Over the years she worked with mentally ill teenagers, taught art with youth in custody teens, and taught 9th-grade art classes. She also worked for about ten years with abused, abandoned, and neglected children from birth – eighteen years of age. 

Art has always been important to Robin. It has been a way to work through personal trauma, express feelings, connect with joy, and everything in-between.

Robin continues to be moved by the human spirit. The strength and courage it can take to find one’s way through life. She wants her work to touch the heart, make someone laugh, think, and most importantly, remind them of their own inner strength. 

Robin's Instagram: ⁠@robinwadejewelry⁠

Robin on Etsy: ⁠RobinWade⁠

Stephanie Gagos Auction for Artists on Facebook

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, reflecting on her personal milestones, including her recent marriage, and the evolution of her business over the past decade. Inclusivity is deeply import to Twyla when considering her designs. She aims to create jewelry that makes each person feel confident and sexy, regardless of gender or body type.

Twyla openly shares the challenges and triumphs of running a jewelry business, including her experience with asking her fans to help her sell $100K of jewelry in 55 days.

Throughout the conversation, Twyla offers valuable insights on mindset, balancing creativity with business acumen, and encourage aspiring artists to embrace imperfection and take risks in their work.

Follow along with Twyla:

Instagram: @twyladilldesign

Website: twyladill.com

Want to continue these important conversations with a mutually supportive and diverse community of jewelry artists? Then please consider joining us in the ⁠⁠Slowmade Collective⁠⁠. It's the best place I know online that can support you and your desire to create a sustainable business that feeds your life.

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 opened a brick and mortar following a dream she had. During our conversation she shares the ups and downs with owning your own shop and how she was making a move to new location when covid hit leaving her with two places to pay rent on until her lease had ended on the original shop. It was at this time, she began pivoting and working on building her IG in order to reach a new audience… and how she is now finding it necessary to explore other options to reach collectors as IG continues to change. 

We talk about this and much more including balancing creativity and productivity, the importance of  having a community to lean on, teaching, and we nerd out a little bit on our favorite things… stones. 

Follow Jennifer:

Instagram: @quenchmetalworks

Website: quenchmetalworks.com

Want to continue these important conversations with a mutually supportive and diverse community of jewelry artists? Then please consider joining us in the ⁠Slowmade Collective⁠. It's the best place I know online that can support you and your desire to create a sustainable business that feeds your life.

A graphic designer and lifelong poet, Teresa Kiplinger came to metal later in life as a way to keep herself busy through the end of a painful marriage. Not long after, she experienced the unimaginable loss of her teenaged stepson. 

Wearing her pain like a heavy cloak, she turned to her metalwork and poetry to work through her grief, making a bracelet in his memory, etched with a poem to him. This bracelet, a reminder of her love for him, was a comforting presence in the months that followed. 

From this deeply personal and difficult loss, Teresa says she found her voice. 

During this conversation Teresa shares how her love of poetry and metal came together to so beautifully create what she has coined as modern memento mori jewelry. We discuss the healing and sometimes lifesaving powers of an art practice, curating a cohesive and compelling story, and the freedom that one can find with art as he or she ages.

Follow Teresa...

Website: www.silverpoet.com

Instagram: @tkiplinger

Want to continue these important conversations with a mutually supportive and diverse community of jewelry artists? Then please consider joining us in the ⁠⁠Slowmade Collective⁠⁠. It's the best place I know online that can support you and your desire to create a sustainable business that feeds your life.

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 shares her journey of getting caught in the hustle and grind of her work, only to face a serious health crisis that forced her to reassess her priorities. During this challenging time, she chose to pivot from the demands of gallery and production work, instead focusing on building a more nourishing business that supports her long-term well-being.

Sarah continues to live and work in her beloved hometown of San Francisco, CA.

You can follow Sarah and see her work:

Instagram: @juju_by_sarah

Website: jujubysarah.com

Etsy Shop: JujuBySarah

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 yourself. Kristin considers her jewelry "new heirlooms" to hold your unique story.

In this conversation, we dive into what inspires and drives her art, touching on sentimental moments with family, personal trauma, and coming out on the other side with a new fuller perspective. We talk about the healing and transformative powers that art and music seem to magically hold.

Follow Kristin...

Instagram: @kristinlarsonjewelry

Website: kristinelarson.com

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. 

There were so many times when imposter syndrome led me to undervalue and underprice my work. Times when I said yes to an opportunity that didn’t align with my goals. When I didn’t know how to create a line sheet or how to structure my wholesale terms, or even how to approach a gallery or shop that I wanted to sell to. 

There was just so much I didn’t know and having a community of people to lean into, many whom have remained close friends over the years, was so invaluable. They have been the cornerstone of my success and longevity as an artist.

And this my friends, is why today I’m doing a special solo episode to tell you about the Slowmade Collective and why I have spent the last few months building a virtual home and sanctuary for jewelry artists.

It's a special place and if it feels aligned to your needs I hope you will join us there!

For more information please visit ⁠slowmadepodcast.com/community⁠

If you have questions you can reach out to Christine at [email protected] or on Instagram ⁠@slowmadepodcast⁠ or ⁠@christinemighion⁠