Slowmade: Nourishing Conversations for Jewelry Artists and Metalsmiths

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 management and the right time to invest in marketing. As the conversation continues Liz and Laryssa touch on the significance of email marketing and the need to nurture and connect with the audience on a personal level. They advise artists to focus on storytelling and authenticity in their emails rather than just promoting their products. Finally, they discuss the challenges of building engagement and community and share insights from their podcast, Success With Jewelry, and their membership program.

The Joy Joya Jewelry Brand Incubator Grant

The winner of the grant will receive $18,000 worth of marketing support for six months completely free. Other opportunities are available for grant finalists. The deadline to enter is Friday, July 12th. JewelryBrandIncubator.com⁠

You can follow along with Liz & Laryssa with the links below:

SuccessWithJewelry.com

@successwithjewelry

JoyJoya.com

@joyjoyamarketing

LizKantner.com

@liz_kantner

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much! You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or @slowmadepodcast or you can send her an email at: [email protected]

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 exhibit at the Smithsonian Craft2Wear show, which is a major accomplishment for her and she is super excited to create a special body of work for the show.

Like many of us, Tracey faces challenges as a jewelry artist, including occasional feelings of inferiority due to not having a formal arts education. However, she has gained confidence in her abilities and has found her niche in creating one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces inspired by nature, particularly blooms, butterflies, and botanical elements. Tracey values the textures, layers, and colors in her work and enjoys the imperfections and balance she can achieve.

In this conversation, Tracey discusses her approach to creating jewelry and the importance of staying true to herself as an artist. She shares how she balances the desire to sell her work with the freedom to create what she truly loves. Tracey also talks about the role of social media in her business and the challenges of pricing her work. She emphasizes the importance of being part of an art community and shares her goals for the future.

Instagram: @traceytimmonsjewelry

Website: www.traceytimmons.com

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much! You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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 took to fabricate” which is then usually followed by some thought of how I would lose my mind if I had to saw out or solder all of those little details. I’ve had visions of her locked in her studio from sun up to sun down, only taking a break because she really has to pee. Yet in our conversation, Jen talks about the fullness of her days and life. She is not just slogging away at her bench unceasingly. She is gardening, spending time with her kids, and even taking days off back to back. In prioritizing the things in life that matter, she’s found a sense of balance in her days, even when it feels a little chaotic. Equally perplexing to me is the fact that with all the hours of work she puts into each piece, she has absolutely no attachment to it if the end product isn’t something she love. Jen just scraps it, or reworks it if she can without the deep disappointment that I feel when this happens. And let’s not forget that Jen has a huge following of loyal fans on Instagram. What’s her secret? She doesn’t have one. She posts when she has something to post and she’s not worrying one to worry about the results. My friends if you have been following Jen, I think you are going to be as surprised as I was as you listen to our conversation. Follow Jen... Instagram: @proxartist Website: www.proxartist.com If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much! You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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 instantly I  became enamored with Kim’s work and I knew I wanted to her with you. Kim is not only a very skilled ceramic artist and metalsmith, she also has a background in architecture, photography, and a love design and tech. All of this flows seamlessly through her work, her presence and her website. Oh…and she does cab some of her own gemstones too. 

I hope you all enjoy a little time in the sunshine this week, but for now grab your favorite drink and be prepared to be inspired as you listen to my conversation with the very talented Kimberly Huestis.

More about Kimberly...

Kimberly takes her design inspiration from the coastal lifestyle and Taiwanese/Scottish heritage, and interweaves those natural influences into her sculptural designs. In many cases it may be a design nod in the general vein of nautical ideas or a hint at ocean waves. With her background in hand-and-hammer rock carving, along with many years as a professional building design architect and environmental consultant, this has greatly informed her design approach.

Instagram: @porcelainandstone

Website: porcelainandstone.com

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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 journey from blacksmithing to silver and goldsmithing, and then ultimately to where he has now landed inventing and fabricating innovative tools for metalsmiths. Chris talks about his belief in the need for mental toughness in building a successful business because the entrepreneurial journey has many ups and downs. Later we talk about the creation of the Metalsmith Collective, a cooperative market for tool makers, educators in the jewelry industry, and fabricators of materials such as castings and gemstones.

About Chris...

Chris is an enthusiastic maker turned inventor who has honed his skills through self-teaching and the invaluable guidance of inspiring mentors he encountered along his journey.

Raised in the scenic Pacific Northwest, he developed a profound affinity for the outdoors, which serves as a wellspring of inspiration for his creative endeavors. 

In 2016, Chris founded Lion Punch Forge as a hobby, after he, his brother (Bruce), and father (Mike) purchased a coal-fired blacksmith shop.

Having retired from a 20+ year career in public safety in 2020, Chris now devotes himself to running Lion Punch Forge full-time as a self-employed entrepreneur.

With a background as an instructor in public safety realm Chris has transitioned that role into his new position as a teacher and mentor within the metal arts and creative communities.

To learn more about Chris, Lion Punch Forge, and the Metalsmith Collective follow him at the links below.

Instagram: @lionpunchforge

Website: lionpunchforge.com

Metalsmith Collective

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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 flying by the seat of my pants. I remember looking at the Sundance Catalog, thinking “Ok, I can’t quite price this much since I’m not known, but I can probably price a little under and get away from it.

Each month the goal was the same. Sell enough to buy more materials and put a little in the bank so I could prove to my husband that this was a real business and I could work from home while raising our kids.

I took online courses that catered to online businesses, even jewelry businesses, but though I would pull out some valuable information I really felt that they weren’t a good fit for my business and what I was selling. And I didn’t know any other jewelry artists well enough to bounce ideas off of until I later joined a metalsmithing community on Etsy. That was probably the best thing I ever did for my young business as the members were so supportive and openly shared.

But after I outgrew Etsy, I felt like I was once again alone trying to figure everything out by myself. My problems were different and many of team members I kept in touch with were in the same boat, bobbling along without ores to paddle.

Thankfully now with social platforms many of us have made some really great and supportive friendships and one thing I’ve learned is that you need to be creative when running a creative business. What works for you may not work for the next person, and what you are willing to do may be vastly different than what another artist is willing to do. We really do all need to find our own way.

Today, I’m speaking with Liette Murphy who like so many people affected by the covid lock down decided to go full time with her young jewelry business, Flying Crow Metalworks. You’ll hear her discuss her challenges, her clarity around what isn’t a going to work for her, and how she is trying on different things such as wholesale to see what fits.

I can say even after 20+ years of business, what fits one year doesn’t necessarily fit the next. And I think this fluidness and being able to call the shots is one of the things that still excites me about my business.

About Liette Murphy...

Liette Murphy is an Arizona-based artist who designs and fabricates art jewelry using a variety of metalsmithing techniques. She first learned metalsmithing, blacksmithing, and jewelry design at Pima College in Tucson, AZ in 2006 and has been selling her work since 2011. Her jewelry has a modern and contemporary feel, sometimes eclectic, and always unique. Liette specializes in one-of-a-kind jewelry with the use of unusual stones, or one-off designs that will never be repeated.

Instagram: @flyingcrowmetalworks

Website: flyingcrowmetalworks.com

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

I love hearing how each jewelry artist approaches their craft and business. As someone slowly works on one piece as time and often doesn’t have any idea what I’ll tackle next, the idea of planning out a cohesive collection feels like… well… difficult. I’ve made collections before, but it’s not something that comes easily.

Today, I’m talking with Danielle Cadef and in my mind, she has mastered the art of building a collection. Danielle is a rather prolific jewelry artist that I’ve admired for a while now for her beautiful and unexpected combinations with a wide variety of materials.

Now Danielle creates a large number of pieces for each collection release. Don’t quote me, but the last had something like 56 or 57 pieces. Each different, but sharing a common element such as color. And while she is creating these pieces she thoughtfully drips out pictures showing how the collection is developing at different phases such as grouping materials or showing the completed metal framework for several pairs of earrings.

Once again I find myself looking at another maker and wondering how they can possibly get sooo much done.

Grab your beverage of choice and head on into your studio because Danielle is going to share the method to her creative madness with us.

Bio...

Danielle Cadef Designs is committed to the adornment of those that appreciate individualism. Each piece is created to be an extension of the wearer. Every jewelry collection utilizes recycled metals (when possible), stones, fossils, recycled gemstones and found objects, in interesting ways. Her designs are inspired by birds- their colors, textures, shapes, calls and habits; the flora and fauna of the southeastern US, and the ocean. All jewelry is handmade in her home studio in Durham, NC.

Instagram: @dcadefdesigns

Website: www.dcadefdesigns.com

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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, their lives, and their loves in the most authentic way that leaves you simply wanting more of everything they have to give.

Laura Niblack, aka The Wild Pine, is simply one of those artists that I look at in wonder and today I get to sit down with her and ask how in the heck does she do it all? Believe I have questions.

Laura discusses the importance of batch work, what helps her move through challenging times, and the marriage of her love of nature and as her experience as a wilderness guide with all the beauty she creates. 

If for some reason you don't know Laura, be sure to head over to her Instagram. But give yourself some time because I know you won't want to leave. 

About Laura...

Laura creates jewelry inspired by the vibrant, colorful landscapes of the backcountry, shaped by her own experiences of finding adventure and solace in the flora and fauna of the wilderness. She uses recycled silver, incorporating colorful stones that have been curated with intention from all over the world. She has a particular affinity for turquoise mined in the U.S.- vibrant and natural, straight from the earth and into your hands. Laura has purposely chosen to utilize traditional methods of metalsmithing: using simple tools and a torch to craft jewelry. This gives each piece a rustic feel, boldly showing the evidence of her own two human hands that have lovingly created a piece of art just for you. Each is one-of-a-kind and unable to be perfectly replicated again. Laura's hope is that her jewelry will become treasured heirlooms, serving as small reminders of the awe-inspiring beauty of our natural world. 

Follow along with all of Laura's adventures and see her creations:

Instagram: @thewildpine

Website: thewildpine.com

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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.

I love a good story and a good story teller, and Alix Bluh delivers as you will hear.

I connected to Alix’s work immediately. We share a love for symbols, patina, texture, and stone, but Alix takes it to another level. And I not only admire her work, but after this conversation I admire her ability to flow and pivot during difficult times to build something even better than she could have envisioned otherwise. Her San Francisco brick and mortar, Modern Relics is a testament to this. I honestly can’t wait to visit the next time I’m in the Bay Area.

About Alix Bluh...

Alix Bluh was introduced to the silver studio at a summer camp in Maine at the age of 12 and that experienced sparked a life long love of creating.

Alix moved to San Francisco at the age of 28 where she joined the Sharon Art Studio, a beautiful Victorian stone building in the Golden Gate Park. This is where she began her metalsmithing journey and fell in love with working in sterling silver and gold.

After 5 years of practicing her craft and refining her artistic voice in the medium she launched her line. Modern Relics, was born in1999.

In 2007 Alix opened her gallery and new studio space, Modern Relics in the Richmond District of San Francisco and hasn’t looked back.

You can find Alix on Instagram at: @alixbluh or @modernrelicssf

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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 evolving, yet distinctively displays her finger prints as the artist. When I think of her workin recent years, I see layers of metal punctuated with color and detail. And when it comes to those little details, I distinctively remember when she introduced a series with hundreds of small silver dots and circle. I humbly bow to her patience and dedication to exploring her craft. She has far more patience than I ever will. And I think it’s this love of detail combined with her signature style and superb execution that has pulled in so many loyal fans.

I’ve quietly admired Jess from the sidelines, and I was even a bit nervous to reach out to her to see if she would be interested in coming on Slowmade. I was so thrilled when she agreed to sit down with me for a chat that I’m sure I let out a squeal.

During our conversation you’ll hear Jess talk about the importance of self examination in understanding her “why” and she is keenly aware of how her past continues to inform her artistic vision. She also talks about the importance of leaning into your why and showing up on the days you can’t find inspiration.

Jess has a lot on her plate most days. She is a busy mama, animal wrangler, artist, course creator, and all around magical one woman show. You’ll here her talk about the challenges of keeping it together when you’re doing all of things.

I know you’re going to have some good things to chew on after listening to this conversation. I’m still digesting.

Jess wanted to share information regarding a scholarship opportunity for Heart of the Maker. Click here to view a recent video about the HOTM scholarship and here to go to the form where you can nominate a fellow maker for the scholarship for the Summer 2024 cohort.

About Jess...

Jessica Jordan Coté is a southern metalsmith from Fuquay Varina, North Carolina.  Largely self-taught in the realm of metal fabrication, she has been smithing full time since 2008 and teaching around the country since 2012.  Jessica is the lone figure behind the brand Rosy Revolver, an unflinching line of feminine statement jewelry.  She is a wife, mother, animal enthusiast and lover of all things vintage.

Instagram: @rosyrevolver

Website: rosyrevolver.com

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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-connecting with an old friend, but this is really the first time we’ve had a true one on one conversation. We talked about a number of things from her recent trip back to Australia where she continues to find inspiration and transitioning to full time as a jewelry artist, to the moments when our chosen craft can feel more like a job and how this is when we need to remember our why. But one of the things I loved most about my conversation that you’ll hear today, was when Catherine shared the story behind one of her most meaningful projects. I won’t give it away, but it demonstrates the heart felt relationships we can build with other makers and the beauty that can come when we are open to collaboration and honoring another artist’s work.

I really hope with the conversations on Slowmade feel like you are sitting there with us, drinking your coffee or tea, and enjoying time with some old (and maybe some new) friends.

About Catherine...

Catherine Chandler is a jeweler and metalsmith from Oregon. Having grown up in the forests of SW Portland and the broad hills of the Columbia River Gorge, Catherine brings an intense love of the Pacific Northwest to her work. With an affinity for clean lines and a great attention to detail, she creates modern and unique jewelry for the adventurous at heart. Sterling silver, gold, and unique stones are highlights in her one-of-a-kind and limited edition creations.

Her work shows a fondness for abstraction and subtle details—influences from her time studying abroad in Australia. She has participated in numerous group shows, including exhibitions in the USA and Australia. Catherine graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Arts from the University of South Australia, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Oregon College of Art and Craft. When not traversing the trails around the area with her dog, Catherine can be found enjoying the outdoors with her husband or spending quality time with friends and family.

Instagram: @catherinechandlerjewelry

Website: www.catherinechandler.com

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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 to doing. Ann shows up on camera a lot,… and I mean a lot…showing up for her customers and her community on social media each week. You’ll even hear her talk about how disheartening it feels when she goes live… to crickets. From her videos, to her writing, and her work, her authenticity, positive outlook, and inner light shine brightly, and I when I see that type of light I’m like a moth to a flame.

Honestly I wish we could have talked a little longer. Ann has done some really creative things with her online business and if you don’t already know her, I think you really need to give her a follow. I think you will love her as much as I do.

About Ann...

Ann Chikahisa is a metalsmith and jewelry designer who creates pieces that speak to a woman’s soul and ignites her inner passion.

After a successful corporate sales career, Ann took a creative passion and founded a six figure online business, Chikahisa Studio. She has over 15 years experience as a business owner,metalsmith and jewelry designer where she creates pieces that connect women with their inner power. Her mission is to help women realize their highest potential because it’s never too late! 

Ann and her jewelry have been featured in Sports Illustrated Swim, King 5 News, Refinery29, About.com and Blow. She has also been a guest on several podcasts such as Sweet but Fearless  and Instagram Lives. 

Follow Ann...

Website: chikahisastudio.com

Instagram: @chikahisastudio

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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. 

Here is the link to Jenna's Pinterest Lab course and again I have no affiliation with her and nothing to gain if you sign up. And here is the link to my Pinterest account should you want to take a look. 

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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 the makers we have had here on the podcast. So many of these artists have worked with Colin for years and have nothing but great things to say which I why I was really excited to talk with him.

One of the things that I loved about this conversation was hearing Colin’s passion for supporting the artists he partners with as well as supporting his local community and economy. Colin shares his perspective as a shop owner and openly discusses the challenges he has faced, and continues to face, as a brick and mortar retailer in the Midwest. Colin goes on to talk about what he looks for when considering to take on a new artist, advice for artists wanting to work with a retailer, and the importance of having a strong partnership.

The Artisan’s Bench is located in Brighton, MI and specializes in providing unique handmade goods: jewelry, ceramics, rugs, painting, wood, and more all crafted by artists around the country.

The Artisan’s Bench on Instagram: @theartisansbench

Website: www.artisansbench.com

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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 interview she talks about how we need to understand that Pinterest is like a Google search engine that we can use to our advantage. By entering key words and phrases into your titles and descriptions it can literally drive traffic to your website or instagram. 

Nicole also shares her journey with building Arrok Jewelry to the business it is today and how fine tuning your artistic voice and overall look and feel of your business can take your business to the next level.

Bio...

Arrok Jewelry is owned and operated by Nicole Conklin.
Established in 2010, Nicole started her jewelry career after attending The Gemological Institute of America. Once she graduated from GIA she opened Arrok Jewelry and hasn't looked back!

Nicole enjoys working with her hands, turning precious and semi precious metals into magical handmade works of art.

Her main medium is Sterling Silver, but she also works with copper and brass as accent metals. Nicole's jewelry is bold and powerful, while also remaining subtly feminine. She creates jewelry that evokes emotion and makes the wearer feel empowered and beautiful.

Life, Death and Rebirth influence much of Nicole’s work, and is a theme often found in her jewelry. Using traditional tattoo flash aesthetic, bold lines and unique stones to help her weave intricate stories in metal, Nicole's designs intertwine juxtaposed imagery, often pairing the macabre with the ultra feminine to highlight the dark/light duality within each of us.

Website: arrokjewelry.com

Instagram: @arrokjewelry

Pinterest: @arrokjewelry

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at: [email protected]

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 noticing that impostery feeling welling up inside of me as I was getting ready to publish this episode. 

I'm not an expert, but I do have some time on my side and maybe a little crone wisdom. I hope as you listen to this, you will think of me more like a friend and know that this is what I would share with you if we were sitting together talking about this very thing. 

If you found this minisode helpful, would you please share it with someone you think might need to hear this too, or post it on Instagram and tag me @christinemighion because I always love reposting.

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 couple years later, it  was this gift that helped me through my grief and anxiety over her sudden death. 

My craft has blessed me in so many ways and I'm so grateful for the wonderful jewelry artists I have come to know. This craft and these relationship continues to ground and calm me, and when I have felt deep sadness and uncertainty it has held me.

My conversation with Cara Wolff was one that brought me right back to my heart and the gratitude I have for my sister-in-law and for this craft. 

Cara began making jewelry full-time in 2018, after the tragedy of losing her sister to cancer and her mother’s new cancer diagnosis shifted the lens through which she saw her life and purpose. She left her 20-year career as a Wildlife Biologist and transformed her pain into healing when she opened her small storefront and studio in southern Vermont. Though she came to her career as a jewelry maker later in life, Cara had been fascinated with jewelry and gemstones since she was a child and has made jewelry as a hobby since her high school years. Cara creates unique and sacred adornment from the Earth's finest gifts – all her jewelry is hand fabricated in silver and gold and often features show-stopping gemstones and reclaimed materials. She is inspired every day by the beauty of the natural world and the enduring spirit of her beloved sister, Melinda.

Instagram: @carawolffjewelry  

Website: carawolff.com  

If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!

You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: @christinemighion or send her an email at [email protected]

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 times and it really stung, especially since I believe in sharing.  

Thankfully with platforms like Instagram and YouTube information is much more accessible and we can follow and form relationships with our peers. I found April Ottey on Instagram a year or two ago and I saw that she taught classes on organic casting in her area. I reached out to her to see if she did any online teaching because I really was struggling with my own organic casting. Unfortunately for me, she didn't teach online, but I took a chance and asked her if she might be willing to answer a couple questions in exchange for payment. She generously answered my questions while repeatedly ignoring my offer to pay her for her knowledge. 

Although we didn't have many exchanges after that, I sensed April was the kind of person I would love to get to know better, so I was thrilled when she agreed to come on the show. April is so very kind and supportive... and this is what I think of when I think about the value of being in community with others. As artists and makers we can all benefit from a healthy community.

About April...

April Ottey is an artist living in Port Townsend, WA.  She has her studio a stones throw from Discovery Bay where she creates contemporary jewelry inspired by the natural world. Her close up inspection of various stages of birth, growth, death and decay in forests, rivers and beaches has shaped who she is as an artist. She casts, fabricates and incorporates the textures and intricate shapes found in nature to create jewelry that places nature into a new context. 

April’s work can be found in various galleries throughout the Northwest.  She is a member of the Northwest Designer Craftsmen Guild and the Seattle Metals Guild .   She has an MFA from Central Washington University and an undergraduate degree from Montana State University.  She taught jewelry and metal smithing at an alternative high school 10 years until she decided to pursue her own work full time in 2015.

Instagram: @april_ottey_jewelry   

Website: aprilottey.com   

Love the show? Please consider supporting the podcast by joining our Slowmade Community on Patreon. Thank you!

You can find Christine on Instagram @christinemighion

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 on this topic, I really think it's worth paying attention to.

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 conversation with Taylor did not disappoint! She is as exactly as I expected... funny, real, talented, and someone I respect and would love to hang out with. As an introvert, this means I'm at complete ease with that person. 

Our conversation today is full and I know you will learn so much more about Taylor after listening. Enjoy!

Bio:

Taylor is a full-time metalsmith living in St. Louis, Missouri. She began creating jewelry in 2003 as "The Rare Bird", transitioning from beadwork to wire work. Entirely self-taught, she now builds her jewelry by hand from precious metals and gemstones, and preserves organic flora in sterling silver using lost wax casting techniques. Taylor's work has been featured in Step by Step Wire Jewelry Magazine, Easy Wire Magazine, and ArtJewlery Magazine and frequently teaches virtual jewelry-making workshops.

Website: TaylorSaleem.com

Instagram: @taylorsaleem

Love the show? Please consider supporting the podcast by joining our Slowmade Community on Patreon. Thank you!

You can find Christine on Instagram @christinemighion

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, and organically growing her Instagram follow by connecting with her fans through reels. 

About Jess Guerrieri...

Jess, a committed metalsmith since the early 2000s, calls Palm Harbor, FL, home with her husband, two boys, and Ziggy the dog. Graduating with a BFA in Crafts in jewelry and metalsmithing from the University of the Arts in 2006, she kicked off her career as a goldsmith in a Pennsylvania jewelry store, perfecting her skills in commercial jewelry. By 2009, Jess had relocated to Florida, where she delved into the world of art jewelry, drawing inspiration from the surrounding nature. Her pieces showcase delicate floral forms, brought to life through techniques like enameling, engraving, casting, beading and etching, resulting in truly unique, one-of-a-kind creations.

Instagram: @jessjewelry 

Website: jessguerrieri.com

Love the show? Please consider supporting the podcast by joining our Slowmade Community on Patreon. Thank you!

You can find Christine on Instagram @christinemighion

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 Webster of Mavens Jewelry. Emily reached out to me in a sweet little DM on Instagram and we became fast friends. It’s been a mutually supportive relationship and one that I’m truly grateful. I think we all need supportive friends within our craft, willing to share without the concern of competition. 

Emily grew up in Georgia collecting rocks, shells, feathers and all sorts of other organic ephemera - She considers herself a scavenger who has always loved the tiniest things and most insignificant details.

Mavens Jewelry is how Emily processes and shares this innate wonder of our surroundings through hand-crafted one-of-a-kind pieces.

"Training in lost-wax casting in northern Italy, apprenticing to a Master Goldsmith in New York City, managing a fine jewelry repair shop while mastering the art of stone-setting in New Orleans, and being educated in gemology in California - this breadth of experience has led me to work with all kinds of materials, the 'high' and the 'low', and they are equal in my view, from quartz to diamonds, and from silver fabrication to classical goldsmithing techniques." ~ Emily Webster, Mavens Jewelry

Instagram: @mavensjewelry

Website: mavensjewelry.com

Please consider supporting the podcast by joining our Slowmade Podcast Community on Patreon. Your support makes the podcast possible.

If you have a guest suggestion or topic for the podcast, please reach out to Christine at:

Instagram: @christinemighion

Website: christinemighion.com

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 Manhattan, and eventually finding herself living in the White Mountains of New Hampshire on a 350 acre farm where nature ultimately became her muse. 

We talk about many things today including the importance of working with your hands as a life long pursuit, figuring out what works best for you, cultivating community and the pleasure of creating meaningful relationships with your customers. 

About Lucy...

Lucy Golden has been making jewelry in the White Mountains of NH for over 35 years. As an avid naturalist, she feels fortunate to be able to explore her interests in her work. When not in the studio, Lucy can be found exploring the outdoors, by bicycle, hiking boots or skis, depending on season. It is often during these times that creative ideas present. Lucy's interests encompass all facets of the natural world, but she is especially fascinated by caterpillars, moths, butterflies, and mushrooms. She enjoys raising four species of native "giant silk moths" and various species of praying mantises from which she draws inspiration. Lucy incorporates color and detail in her work which pays tribute to all of the life forms that share our world with us. She is passionate about conservation and preservation, and hopes that her work is a reminder of the critical importance of our natural environment.

Lucy started making jewelry in high school, and took jewelry classes at RISD while earning a BA in Semiotics from Brown University. She worked in the fashion jewelry industry in Manhattan before moving to NH. She has been a juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen for over 30 years, and sells her work through most of their galleries and their Sunapee Fair, as well as other events and galleries. She teaches metals and jewelry-making at the Littleton Studio School and is an enthusiastic believer in power of creative expression.

Instagram: @lucygoldenjewelry

Website: lucygoldenjewelry.com

Please consider supporting the podcast by joing our Slowmade Podcast Community on Patreon. Your support literally makes the podcast possible! Thank you!

Follow Christine and the Slowmade Podcast on Instagram @christinemighion.

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 expense that your business incurs, but that you are also financially prepared to make it through an unexpected emergency or slow time without worry. 

This week, I had a serious, but really fun conversation with jewelry artist, Janine Krantz. Janine has been creating jewelry and running her own handmade business for well over 20 years. We covered a lot of territory about the reality of running a handmade business in this conversation… and you might say we got a little salty along the way. 

Janine Krantz is an art jeweler from New Jersey. She works primarily in sterling silver with one of a kind stones sourced from all over the world. Being a jeweler is a second career for her after working as a cosmetologist for 20 years with a side hustle of making and selling jewelry that entire time. Finally making the career switch to full time jeweler has been a dream come true. When she isn't running her business she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, traveling, cooking, and gardening.

Website: janinekrantz.com

Instagram: @janinekrantz

Please consider supporting the podcast by joining our Slowmade Podcast Community on Patreon. Your support makes the podcast possible.

If you have a guest suggestion or topic for the podcast, please reach out to Christine at:

Instagram: @christinemighion

Website: https://www.christinemighion.com

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 more. Some, from the moment we connect, I feel like I’ve known for years.

Shannon Bundschuh is one of those artists, and talking with her felt like talking to a good friend. Shannon is what I would consider an anomaly in the creative world. Although she began taking some metalsmithing classes in 2016, she took her time to get to know the craft and her market. With that knowledge in hand she intentionally thought through the launch of her business, Carry A Torch, 5 years ago, in 2019. With a background in graphic design, she created a cohesive image that flows seamlessly with her work. And shortly after the pandemic hit, she was able to pivot with her in person teachings at a local retreat center to building beautiful online courses all while raising a family.

Shannon Bundschuh is the owner and creative force behind Carry A Torch. She is a silversmith, designing crushworthy jewelry out of her home studio in Scottsdale, Arizona. Shannon’s background in many other art mediums—including hand-lettering, computer graphics, sculpture, textiles and painting—all contribute to the color, texture and balance in her creations. A passion for trying new materials and challenging herself is what drove Shannon to try her hand at silversmithing, igniting a flame that has her smitten for good. She quite literally and figuratively carries a torch for this medium. And now in her classes, Shannon is sharing the seductive spark of silversmithing with her fellow artists.

You can follow Shannon and see all of her crushworthy jewelry and courses at the links below: 

Instagram: @carry.a.torch

Website: Carry-A-Torch.com

Please consider supporting the podcast by joining our Slowmade Podcast Community on Patreon. Your support makes the podcast possible.

If you have a guest suggestion or topic for the podcast, please reach out to Christine at:

Instagram: @christinemighion

Website: https://www.christinemighion.com

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. 

This week I had the absolute pleasure of talking to Susan Fauman. We talk about the alchemy of creating a piece of jewelry and how we weave our medicine into our work. We talk about the joy of harmoniously blending our lives with our craft and the importance of building a community of peers around you as our work is often solitary. 

There’s a lot I’m still unpacking from this episode, but it just reinforces why I love having these honest conversations… and I hope you are enjoying them too. 

Susan Fauman is a mama and maker of many things, working out of her studio in the NY Hudson Valley. She draws inspiration from her 15+ years working as a yoga instructor, bodyworker and herbalist to bring healing intention to her jewelry and other creations. Her mission is to make people feel connected to something bigger than themselves, with a side of playfulness and wonder.

Website: https://www.susanfauman.com

Instagram: @susanfauman

Please consider supporting the podcast by joining our Slowmade Podcast Community on Patreon. Your support makes the podcast possible.

If you have a guest suggestion or topic for the podcast, please reach out to Christine at:

Instagram: @christinemighion

Website: https://www.christinemighion.com

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 connection to our inner wisdom, and toilets! 

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 creative soul. 

Carin Jones (Kuh-rin) is a Seattle area based artist that derives her inspiration from a zoological background, particularly years of collecting and cataloging specimens. As an architect’s daughter, she obsessively studies shapes and their interactions, notably those of elements not paired in nature.

In her Mineral & Marrow Series, Carin concentrates on an unexpected coupling of discarded bones and high end gemstones. While, at first glance this may seem contradictory, the partnership challenges the audience’s inclination to undervalue one material and overvalue the other. It clarifies the equality of elements - born of stardust and returning to stardust -  and emphasizes the true value of the natural world.  

Crafting materials commonly regarded as disposable into treasured pieces of wearable art challenges society’s perspective and, moreover, assists in realigning the audience’s standpoint.

You can follow along with Carin and see her amazing work at the links below: 

Instagram: @jonesingforjewelry

Website: jonesingforjewelry.com

Please consider supporting the podcast while joining our Slowmade Podcast Community on Patreon. Your support makes this podcast possible!

Do you have someone you like to hear on Slowmade? Please connect with Christine on Instagram @christinemighion

. 

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 structure I let fear step in and manage things.

Today I'm doing a solo episode on this very subject because sometime we need a gentle reminder... or kick in the butt!

You can reach out to Christine on Instagram @christinemighion and share your ideas for topic discussion or suggest guests that you would like to hear her interview.

Be a part of the Slowmade Podcast community by joining us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/SlowmadePodcast

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 valuable conversation for any maker.

Kathy consider herself a Maker. Her business and life revolve around the notion of “Tending a Handmade Life.” She create a wide range of wares in a variety of mediums: fine silver, crystal and gemstone jewelry and Talismans for adorning and spiritual comfort, botanical print silk scarves overdyed with her own homegrown indigo, intuitive blends of perfumes and incense, pottery hand-built with wild clay from her land and fired in a wood kiln. Each piece is spirit guided, heart-centered and grounding, with the goal of helping others in tending a handmade and well-considered life.

You can follow Kathy and view all of her amazing work in the links below.

Instagram: @kathyvankleeck

YouTube: @tendingahandmadelife

Website: KathyVanKleeck.com

Please consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Community on Patreon. Your support makes this podcast possible.

For my first guest interview I'm talking to one of my long time creative crushes, Allison Sattinger. We will be talking about her handcrafted business, Sunny Rising and so much more!

Allison Sattinger wears all of the hats at Sunny Rising. She tools leather, smiths silver, cuts stones and paints portraits in acrylic on canvas. She lives with her family in Sisters, Oregon, outnumbered by cats and obsessed with the smell of ponderosa bark. Allison plays the harp therapeutically in end of life care and also for nervous system support that regular life seems to require these days. Allison believes that love is the answer to most any question a person can ask.  

You can follow along with Allison and see her beautiful offerings in the links below:

Instagram: @sunnyrisingleather

Website: SunnyRising.com

Please consider supporting the podcast while joining our Slowmade Podcast Community on Patreon. Your support makes this podcast possible!

Do you have someone you like to hear on Slowmade? Please connect with Christine on Instagram @christinemighion

In this short first episode, Christine shares her struggle with feeling that her work wasn't of value in the eyes of others and the direction she chose to take her business that ultimately led to burnout.

You can reach out to Christine on Instagram @christinemighion and share your ideas for topic discussion or suggest guests that you would like to hear her interview.

Be a part of the Slowmade Podcast community by joining us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/SlowmadePodcast