My Creative Journey

 I was making cute beaded bracelets and easily assembled necklaces in 2012 and early 2013 when I saw an article about a woman metalsmith making these fantastic rustic bracelet cuffs.  I knew right then that that is what I wanted to do! 
The article even explained her process, so I could see how it was made.  These were real metal, copper sheet cut into shapes, formed and forged with hand tools.  It felt so primitive and real, like the forging and blacksmith trades of old. 

With this new inspiration, I began researching tools and the kind of space I would need to create it.  Luckily, a friend of mine had space in his garage shop and even let me use some of his tools!  I was intimidated by the big machinery, but determined to figure out how I could create with them.

With a few basic tools and only an idea of where I wanted to go, I just went for it.  Teaching myself as I went, mostly by trial and error.

I eventually moved back to the house, I needed a closer work area and less intimidating tools, ha.
I was on a really strict budget too, so most of my first tools came from Harbor Freight.

I completely overhauled my back room into a full studio that summer.

I started with a couple of pieces of plywood I had, laid on top of two metal shelves.  Perfect.
 

Later I remembered I had a piece of countertop I'd take out of the dining room the year before.  This worked even better.
I built a smaller workbench for the forging, filing and air chase work, which also housed some tools.

 I worked with copper, brass, bronze and stainless steel, all affordable base materials, sheet and wire.  I had achieved the desired results I longed for in those early days;  forging, foldform and air chasing techniques.  As you can see in the following photos.

The journey carried on for another five years.  The studio spaces changed, and so did the business name, but I continued to be inspired by working with metal.

By 2018 online sales dropped off and I had just left another gallery.  My desire to create and the required marketing it took were at odds.  I decided to call it quits.

Needing to stay creative, I decided to rebuild my black and white fine art photography portfolio, something I could do in my spare time.  I was lucky enough to upgrade my camera gear too.  It was great fun too, but what to do with it?  By 2020 we were all dealing with Covid and not going anywhere.  Buying art was the last thing on anyone's mind.

In the winter of 2020 I wondered if we'd all be staying home again in 2021, so my resilient nature decided it was time to return to jewelry creation.  Even if I wasn't making money from it, at least I would have a wonderful hobby.

Winter is a great time of year to learn something knew.  I created a plan with an outline for some new techniques I could learn, to add to what I already knew how to do.  This would require some new tools, research and education.  I checked out endless books on techniques I'm interested in, from the local library, and decided on two I should buy for my personal library.  These are my new manuals!   Great for reference, tool ideas, visual instruction and projects to try.  

Meanwhile I decided to make a few things that pushed my ability without straining it out of inspiration.  Three pair of simple earrings, incorporating new, easy techniques and tools.

That brings me to right now, March of 2021.
I have purchased new tools and will continue to stretch and learn and create.  

I decided to start a Facebook Group instead of a business Page, as my goal this time around is to include others in my learning, share ideas, and network.  So much better than throwing pretty images at people and hoping they'll buy it.  This way they get to know the process, the time it takes and the techniques used to create something.  You can join the group or visit it at J Gray Design.  I have also created a book list, artist member list and photo albums of sample work in this group.
My online shop is located at https://www.etsy.com/JGrayDesign .

Stay tuned for upcoming posts on new techniques!  You can subscribe to the blog from the home page, right column.