Don’t forget!

I first met Christy online. I hadn’t really spoken to her much, I would just see her posting on occassion on some forums I frequented. Then one day I received an email stating she wanted to come to the Jewelry Artists Retreat. That was in 2008. She came, not knowing any of us, and fit right in immediately. I am very honored to call her a friend.

~Janice

Tell us a bit about yourself – where you grew up, your childhood dreams..was art a part of that?

How did you get into jewelry making?
I’ve always made stuff.  Actually, this go-round, we saw some beaded bookmarks for sale in a bookstore and thought – pfft -I could do that! Started looking at beads in Michaels, realized I could make those.. Began lampworking in 2003. My heart has been into metalsmithing since I saw the movie Johnny Tremain is elementary school. When he poured that molten metal – whoo boy! So first opportunity I took a beginning silversmithing class at William Holland. 2004 I think. Can’t recommend that place enough. It’s a real “pass this skill onto future generations” place.

If you could go back to the beginning and do one thing differently, what would it be?
I would have begun sooner. I spend too much of my life not doing things that I want to do — for lame and unacceptable reasons, usually cost or time or just thinking I shouldn’t do it for me… Lame and a waste of time! 

How would you describe your style? 

I don’t think I have a style.  Organic? 

 What makes your work unique?
I don’t think I devote enough time yet to it to say my work is unique. Some day. I put a lot of prayer for the person who will eventually wear it into each piece. That might be sorta unique, but most likely not.

What are your favorite materials?
I am a sucker for gold. I love gemstones, glass, sparkly thangs. I like plain old river rocks and fossils. Love cabs from the earth with gorgeous pictures in them.

Has the internet affected your work/business? If yes, how so?
When I was devoting more time to putting work up on the web, I sold a good deal. Life and work has gotten in the way for awhile, but everything goes like tides and seasons, so I know I’ll be back in full swing at some point. I do love having access to so much information and inspiration, though. And I love that I have made so many lifetime friends through the internet. 

What are your thoughts on:
 
“inspiration, imitation, infringement – when similarities in work go too far” 

 Here’s my opinion about that. There is nothing new under the sun. OK, maybe plastic. Plastic is new. If we were in some kind of situation where only the exact same people viewed our work it might be an issue. But honestly, I look at books about ancient adornment and am awed by the skill and designs employed thousands of years ago without modern tools! I think there are a lot more issues in this life and world worth worrying over than whether somebody’s earrings look like mine.

How do you deal with periods of “creative block” or low creativity?
I funnel it elsewhere. Usually happens when I have too much work going on.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received related to your craft/business?
When I took my first silversmithing class with Don and Ann, I showed them a pair of earrings I love and said I’d like to learn how – did they think I’d ever be able to? Ann said, “Of course you can do that!” That’s the best dvice. You can do anything you want to. You just have to have patience and work through the steps to gain the skills.

What’s the best advice you could give someone just starting out?
Believe in yourself. If you mess up, so what? The world will continue to spin and that’s one less mistake you have to fulfill before attaining your goal, honing your skills.

Who are some of your favorite artists and crafters?
Currently? Michael Boyd. Michael Boyd. Michael Boyd.


What do you do when you aren’t working on jewelry ?
I am a graphic designer. I’m in front of the computer most of every day. Oh and always learning new software relating to that work. I also have a husband and 5 kids, only one still at home till she goes off to college in August. On the best days I’m spending time with her!