Workshop / Studio Space

Jewelry tends to be a smaller craft.  Unlike pottery or sculpture, which tend to take up a lot of space.  I am lucky enough to have my workspace contained in our bonus room.  I use an 8ft X 4ft table (2x4basics 90164 Workbench and Shelving Storage System) that my husband put together for me.  It fits three stations.  A bench pin station for drilling, sawing and filing.  A soldering station for torch work.  And an enameling station with the kiln and all my enameling tools.  Some of my tools were bought new, like pliers and torches. But some of my tools are second hand, like my kiln.  And still others I have made or scavenged from other parts of the house, like paintbrushes, mugs to organize tools and picks I have made from brass wire.  My workbench is rarely ever "clean", but everything is where I can find it and it makes sense to me.  I do, for safety reasons, thoroughly clean my bench about once a quarter.  

I like this set up for multiple reasons. As a mom, having my workspace in the house works out very well.  Because I am situated in the bonus room, my son can play as I work and when he needs me, I am right there for him.  Right now we have what I call "the great wall" set up so that he can't get to my workbench but I can still see him.  Also, as he gets older and understands more, he will see the value of making something with your hands as well as the self discipline to set your own work hours.  As a metal-smith, having my son there helps me to stay grounded and take breaks.  I can often get completely lost in a project and all of a sudden, I have spent the whole day working on one thing.  Having him there keeps me focused and on schedule.  I also get a lot of work done during his naps.  This also helps me to focus and stay on schedule because I know I only have a limited amount of time to work.

Something I love about my workspace is that it is mine alone.  I am the only one who touches it and I alone have decorated it.  It is so easy to get caught up in being a mom and give away everything you are, I think sometimes you loose your own identity when you do that.  I encourage everyone to have a sacred space for them to work.  A space that makes sense to you and that only you use.  I feel that I can never loose myself if I have something that is mine alone.  It may seem selfish, but it keeps me sane and makes me a better mom.

Enameling Station

Soldering Station

Bench Pin Station

The Great Wall

More of the great wall and my decor

Support part 2

Yesterday's post was all about having support on the business side of things.  Today I'd like to talk about support on the artistic side of things. 

Metalsmiths Unite is a group on Facebook to which I belong.  I have looked at other group's pages and have been surprised with the negativity that comes through the posts.  Metalsmiths Unite is not at all that way.  The group is made up of beginners all the way to professionals.  I have found nothing but positive feedback and support from the members.  Having no formal metal smithing education (just workshops), I admittedly have some gaps in my learning. Whenever I post a question or pose a problem, no matter how basic, Metalsmiths Unite comes to the rescue.  I am not the only person whom Metalsmiths Unite has rescued.  Many members post regularly and find support from metalsmiths across the world.  When I say support, I am referring to not only the tactical questions about soldering and tool recommendations but also the occasional slump or bad day.  It's so nice to have a group of people who understand all the metal jargon and what it means to be an artist creating in metal. 

Being not only a metalsmith but also an enamelist, I also belong to a formal organization called The Enamelists Society (www.enamelistsociety.org).  I pay a yearly membership fee which has proved its worth many times over.  Each quarter, I receive a newsletter with the latest happenings in the enamel world.  With inspiring pictures, updates on exhibitions and the latest offerings of classes, I find myself very exited when the envelope arrives.  When it does come, I have to read it cover to cover before filing it for future reference.  

Lastly, I belong to another online group called Grains of Glass (www.grainsofglass.com).  This group is specifically for enamelists and is a great source of inspiration.  There are many groups within this site for the different techniques (for example: champleve, cloisonne, and torch firing).  This allows me to explore different techniques within enameling.  I have received very positive feedback and support on this site as well. 

Belonging to these groups will always be a part of being an artist.  Especially being a metalsmith and an enamelist, these trades can be very isolating.  Having people who understand and being able to connect, whether it's through the internet or snail mail, is invaluable. 

Support part 1

The next few posts will be about the people I have surrounded myself with and the professional groups I belong to. 

I am a firm believer in surrounding yourself with good people who want the best for you.  In return you have to be a good person and want the best for the people around you.  In my quest to create this surrounding for myself, I have found some great groups that I belong to. 

One of these groups is the Raleigh Mompreneurs (a Facebook group).  This is a group of local women who all own their own businesses.  Cary, the founder of the group, is very welcoming and fosters an atmosphere of support and positivity.  At the monthly meet ups, we meet at a location and usually just socialize.  The great thing about just socializing is that we all start talking about work.  Just like when you get a bunch of teachers together, they talk about their students.  Making these connections have been invaluable to me.  They are re energizing and inspiring.  I always walk away with a renewed energy, great guidance, and some great ideas for my business.  

I encourage anyone who feels daunted, isolated or just in a slump, to find a group like the Raleigh Mompreneurs that is supportive and positive.  

The Mompreneurs at the June Meet Up

Introductions

As a metal-smith, mom and business woman I am starting this blog to connect.  I want to connect with my customers, near and far, in a new and meaningful way.  I would like to give supporters and admirers of my art a little peek behind the scenes.  Welcome to Erin Brown Designs Jewelry Blog!  Here are some examples of my work. 

This is one of my signature pieces called Nourishing Rain

Butterfly Necklace from the Metamorphosis Series

Caterpillar Bracelet from the Metamorphosis Series

Chrysalis Broach from the Metamorphosis Series

Tiger Lily Necklace