Smelting Silver

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.

Q&A with silversmith Jacquie Green

Q&A CHRISTIAN LEDBETTER SUBMITTED PHOTOS 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.

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

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.

Stone The stone is the centerpiece of a ring. Green used lapis for this ring.

Bezel A bezel is the part of a ring that holds the stone in place. This was Green’s plain piece.

Bezel Green said she was creating a decorative bezel, and included another layer around the plain bezel piece.

What is the process behind creating a ring?

When I’m making a ring there’s a lot (of) soldering involved because I have to make the shank, which is (the lower portion of a ring). This is the bezel (the section that holds the stone) that goes around it. This one has a decorative bezel, there’s a plain bezel piece and then I have to solder an extra half round bead around the edge, and that stone is lapis, it just takes a little more effort. Sometimes I have to make the rings adjustable sized so that for selling purposes, more people will have a chance to wear it.

ANATOMY OF A RING Silversmith Jacquie Green shows off the parts she used to construct one of her rings. She said creating rings involve more soldering because she has to connect the lower part of the ring to the stone.

CHENYAO LIU PHOTO ILLUSTRATION THE PLUNGE SOURCE MODELING Green displays the ring she created. Green said she is inspired by stones and organic shapes which she then represents in her work.

What lessons have you learned from metalsmithing?

I’m not super technical, but I have learned... to embrace my mistakes. There were several students at the art center...who were striving for perfection and while that’s good...you don’t usually hit the mark and you have to learn to be okay with it...It’s not that you did something perfectly, it’s that you tried. Is there anything else you think readers should know?

I’ve always said that people are creative, everyone is creative...It takes time to hone your craft and (my) son...is still in the mindset of, “If I can’t go on this bike and ride it immediately I’m not going to try”, which I find just completely fatalistic. You have to keep getting on the bike, you (have to) keep trying if you want it bad enough. If you don’t want it enough (then) walk away. It’s worth going after something that you feel strongly about.

Handy Tools

Take a look at some common metalsmithing supplies

File

• used to file down and smooth out rough edges • can come in square, round, half-round and flat shapes and can also have a smooth or abrasive metal surface

Pliers

• used to bend, grip, compress, pull, twist or cut metal • user’s grip strength force is increased due to the structure of the pliers’ levers and handles

Solder

• metal alloy that comes in sheet and wire forms • used to fuse two metal parts together

GRAPHIC WENDY ZHU SOURCE THE SPRUCE CRAFTS