FEELING THE FLOW Silversmith Jacquie Green sits at her workstation. As a child, Green said she could spend hours in her bedroom creating designs with some paper, glass and X-Acto knife. Now in her career, she said metalworking helps her find her flow.
SMELTING SILVER Q&A with silversmith Jacquie Green
What does your job entail? I’m self employed. I’m part of a co-op gallery (CCA Gallery) in Carmel, Indiana and...I’m also at a small gallery in Broad Ripple. (In my work) I use mostly silver. I’ll occasionally use copper or brass and when I’m feeling really rich, I’ll use gold.
How long have you done this work? My first class was in ‘93. I took a ceramics class...and then later that year I realized, “I don’t think I want to do pottery.” Then I saw this metalsmithing class and I inquired about it and from then on I (realized), “this is it, this is the one.” It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do in life. I am very versatile in what I can do, but I really find my flow when I’m doing my metalwork.
Q&A CHRISTIAN LEDBETTER
BY THE NUMBERS
2.5
BILLION spent on jewelry making in 2016
-10% projected change in employment within the next decade BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
SUBMITTED PHOTOS JACQUIE GREEN
What is the process behind making something?
Inspiration is the first (step). On a rare occasion I’ll do commision work but I really, as an artist, don’t like doing that because it really sucks the creative juices out of me... It’s the stones that really inspire me, but often I will make pieces out of just simple silver. I’m inspired by organic shapes and then I draw it down. I kind of get a loose idea sometimes when I’m sitting in church and I’m listening to a sermon, because I have the gift and the curse of ADHD. I’ll (often) be doodling...and I’ll come up with some really cool ideas. I don’t always use them, but if I have something on my mind or in my heart I want to make, I can usually evolve something out by doodling it first.
