Featured Artist: Teresa of SilverMade Studio

Teresa of SilverMade Studio lives in Rocky River.

What is your first memory of making jewelry? Did someone teach you, or did you learn on your own?
My grandmother had a pearl stringing and jewelry repair business in New York City. When she’d come for visits she’d bring lots of pearl necklaces and other goodies all wrapped in bits of toilet paper. My grandmother showed my sisters and me how to string pearls, but we never really pursued it. Then when she went into an assisted living facility, we uncovered tons of pearls and vintage clasps — it was game on! I took a wire wrapping class in the summer of 2007, just to learn something new, and haven’t looked back!

What is it that draws you to silver?
I love to see the transformation – from dull silver to a high sheen, or bright silver to a cool gray patina. I also love soldering — to see the solder flow still amazes me.

How would you describe the style of your work? Does it reflect your personal style?
My style is simple, not too fussy. I’m quite happy with one color or, if I’m feeling crazy, maybe two. Could my style be considered a tiny bit modern? I’m not entirely sure.

What are your inspirations? How are they expressed in your work?
Inspiration comes from my surroundings — what i see out my window, what I’m reading about, or something I hear that’s funny to me.

Do you have an all-time favorite creation? What about it makes it your favorite?
Other than my two girls — who are my absolute favorite — I like the way my resin pieces are turning out. Resin can be a bit tricky, so I’m happy that some of my pieces are ending up the way I envision.

When did you realize that this was more than a hobby?
When I had to come clean and tell my husband that the Rio Grande charges that kept showing up on the credit card statement were not a new Mexican restaurant. Explaining to him why I needed all these tools and silver helped me realize myself that this is more than a hobby.

Describe your workspace.
Disaster area. When we were looking for a new house, a studio was an important item on our ‘must have’ list. Our house has the perfect space, I just haven’t done anything to it, so it’s a dark, creepy mess.

What is your favorite task related to your work? Your least favorite?
I love everything to do with making jewelry except cleaning up and putting things away. I’m quite happy just to set things down when I’m finished and walk away. I’m a terrible role model.

What is your favorite tool? Why?
My favorite tool WILL be my Foredom Flexshaft. I just ordered it for my birthday, so I haven’t actually used it yet.  But it’ll be my favorite, I’m sure.

Do you have artistic talents in other areas?
Not really. I can paint squares on walls, but that has more to do with a good level and some painter’s tape.

Tell us something about you that we might be surprised to hear.
I’ve had a warrant out for my arrest. But that was long ago; I’m a changed person. That’s all I’ll say;)

Where can we find your work?
Nowhere — it’s the best kept secret. I only have my work on my etsy shop: silvermadestudio.etsy.com