Hello! I'm new to the site, I joined after a friend recommended it to me. My name is Laura, I presently live in Standish, Michigan, but I was born in Ireland and spent most of my life over there because my parents were missionaries in Ireland for 13 years.
I am 24 years old and have an Associates of Fine Arts degree and am an Independent Studio Jeweler and have a part-time job as a library page (until things pick up enough for my jewelry business to be completely self-sustaining). At present, I'm primarily self-taught, but I have started to take a few workshops to enhance my skills and may eventually go for a BFA in Sculpture. I specialize in hand-crafted, historically inspired, one-of-a-kind jewelry using a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to: chainmaille, wire-work, and Steampunk. Recently, I've started to learn silversmithing and I'm loving it!
This year, I took a huge step as a jewelry artist, and registered my business as an LLC. I've been doing a couple small shows each year, but am now seriously trying to pick up more shows and weed out all the low-end shows I've done before. I had my very first 100% Fine Art show this year in and am really excited about doing more!
I look forward to learning a lot from this site and everyone here!
~Laura
Replies
Hello Laura and welcome to our group. We are glad to have you here. I am so jealous of you growing up in Ireland. I spent a week there in August and was ready to move there. I loved the weather, the cloudy days (I know that sounds weird), and of course, the accents!
Looks like you have some very nice work. I had never heard of the Steampunk jewelry before. It is very interesting. Great way to recycle things that shouldn't be wasted in a landfil. I am glad you found a creative way to use those antique items.
We would love a review of the fine art show you did. If you would like to check out www.artshowreviews.com you could leave a review of that great show and check out the shows we have listed. It is a great website to help in the decision making process of putting a show schedule together.
Jacki B
I'm not sure how to submit a review for the show as it's not listed on that website. The show I went to was the Tawas Waterfront Fine Art Festival in Tawas City, Michigan. It was the 51st year of the show and has an approximate attendance of 5,000 or so with 90 spaces. It's put on by the Tawas Bay Art Council & Gallery.
We're glad to have you here, Laura. It sounds like you are really exploring jewelry. I'd love to see an example of your Steampunk style. Definitely (at least it seems to me) those jewelers who really design each piece, exploring all the metalworking techniques and developing a personal style seem to be the ones with the best chances of being chosen for the best shows. And yes, the fine art show are where you can sell the higher priced work.
I love the "missionaries to Ireland" info. This is the second time in a week I've heard about this. Years ago I taught in a Catholic school in Missouri that was entirely staffed by nuns from Ireland. They'd come here to "mission" to us
I have what I would call "creative claustrophobia." I can't stand the thought of being restricted to only one or two mediums or techniques. I have an insatiable appetite for learning new for learning new jewelry/metal-working techniques, and a love of using multiple techniques in a single piece. While my passion is jewelry and metal-working, I'll try just about any art form at least once and I keep finding more that I think I'd like to learn. It just feels like if I'm not trying new techniques (whether they be jewelry/metal techniques or some other art form) that I'll get creatively stagnant and I can't stand that thought.
I'm really excited about trying more Fine Art shows. :) . The one I did this summer was so great. I did the best I've ever done at a show, and on top of that I took 1st Honorable Mention in the jewelry category! I've been told for years by both patrons and other vendors (jewelry vendors and non-jewelry vendors) that I needed to get into the Fine Art shows so I'm excited to finally be able to start doing them.
I actually just finished a new Steampunk necklace if you'd like to see it you can view it here :). Steampunk is so much fun, I really enjoy being able to give new life to old/broken pieces. It also gives something different from my more time-intensive pieces.
Well, it is obvious from that link that you are not new to e-biz! Nice website, good writing and intriguing, makes you want to go farther, and maybe even buy something. This is such a well-developed site I wonder where you've been since you are just coming to fine art fairs?
Do love that Steampunk necklace....
Thank you! Actually, I've been working on selling online for about the same amount of time as I've been doing shows. I don't have my own website yet, so I tried to make a well-designed blog as an interim step until I'm able to get one. That way I will at least have some form of an Internet presence that (hopefully) will direct people where to go to see/buy my work.