Katelyn Johnson creates fashionable jewelry applying damaged porcelain parts and cautiously crafted sterling silver bezel configurations. Making jewellery can help Katelyn accept her ADHD, and she hopes her handcrafted models also aid other folks who are battling with brokenness in their life. She is a 2022 Halstead Grant Semi-Finalist and a 2022 Interweave Top rated 20 honoree.
Higher than image: Blue Rose Ring by Katelyn Elyse Jewelry. All photographs courtesy of the artist.
Developing a Small business
Q: Tell us your story, wherever you are in your occupation, and has jewelry earning come to be your total-time task?
I began Katelyn Elyse Jewellery just about 5 several years ago and it has slowly and gradually grown each 12 months. My target a person working day is to be equipped to create jewellery and run my enterprise as my complete-time job. In the meantime, I perform a typical 8-5 occupation and use that income to support myself and my enterprise while my business carries on to develop.
Q: Did you review jewellery building in college or university? Provide an internship? Self-taught?
I figured out most of what I know through earning my BFA in Jewellery and Metalsmithing at Grand Valley Condition College. Although ending up my degree I worked for an impartial jeweler in Grand Haven, Michigan, Lisa Lehmann, who confirmed me that it was feasible to generate jewelry as my full-time occupation. By earning my diploma and doing the job with Lisa I was able to learn so substantially about jewellery building and how I could use my capabilities to assistance myself financially and live my dream life.
Manufactured With Enjoy
Q: What is the single most essential jewelry making skill you’ve learned and why?
Soldering. Every one piece of jewellery I make calls for mindful soldering and practical experience to fuse the silver items together with no melting them. It’s the ability that took me the longest to master and the a person that I enjoy utilizing the most.
Linked: 4 Guidelines for Generating Pottery and Sea Glass Jewellery with Gentle Soldering
Q: You speak about placing your coronary heart in your operate, make sure you reveal to us how you go your feelings by way of you into your process and resources.
My full Renewed line came from the emotion of being broken and pondering there was a little something improper with me due to my ADHD. Just about every time I make a piece of jewelry utilizing damaged porcelain, I’m capable to mend my damaging feelings and occur to peace with how my possess head is effective. Taking a damaged piece of porcelain, smoothing out the rough edges and then diligently developing a silver encasement in which to keep the porcelain is unbelievably therapeutic. I love that in the span of a couple hrs I can provide splendor and joy into something that was after damaged.
Perfectly Imperfect
Q: Tell us what sets your get the job done aside from others? What would make your get the job done exceptional?
I’m not the only one particular to create jewellery out of damaged plates but I am distinctive in my fashion. Location the porcelain items needs time and treatment. Fairly than drilling a hole through the plate and attaching a chain or earring hooks, I deal with the porcelain pieces as if they were a valuable stone. I build a silver bezel specially for every single distinctive shape. Then, I place the prongs diligently to gently maintain the piece of plate in position although exhibiting off the floral design. It’s a tiresome and time-consuming process but it makes large high quality pieces that are not like other jewelry of their type.
Q: Have you designed any mistakes that you can to share?
My most significant oversight has been assuming that I need to have to cope with almost everything on my personal and that asking for aid is a indicator of weak spot. It was only when I requested for outdoors guidance that my enterprise was capable to prosper. I’ve uncovered far more about what I’m capable of. Owning and working a compact company is a huge work and is usually pretty isolating. But asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a indication of power.
Learn Katelyn Elyse Jewellery
Katelyn says, “Jewelry style and design and the ability to function with my palms is a existence enthusiasm that brings me remarkable pleasure. I live in the countryside and appreciate the peace and fresh new air it brings. I love spending time gardening, participating in with my doggy, remodeling my residence, or hanging out with my family.” Comply with @katelynelysejewelry on Fb and Instagram.
