Featured Artist

This featured artist creates fine jewelry. This is a cut above much of what you will find and goes beyond craft to artistry. Come and meet this artist, Jen, and her shop, A Blond and A Torch.

Briefly describe what you make?

I make organic jewelry, mostly using sterling silver, some gold-filled material and a littl brass. Mostly I make rings, but I also have earrings and a few necklaces and braclets. I am always striving to design more!

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I enjoy sterling silver the most. I guess because I have worked with it so much that it is the most comfortable.

How long have you been creating craft?

I started making beaded jewelry about 2 years ago when my doctor recommended a hobby to try to reduce stress. I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a book on beading and it went from there.

I eventually wanted to try metalsmithing so once again I bought some books and started practicing. I opened up this shop almost 3 months ago to sell my metal works.

How did you get started?

I was doing some random Google search on some beading techniques and I came across a blog. I wish I could remember whose blog it was, but she talked at length about Etsy and how to get started selling there. I took her advice and it went from there.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

Ha! It actually comes from a friend of mine. She was throwing out some ideas for a shop name and I thought A Blond And A Torch was pretty cute. Well, I am a blond and I do use a torch, so it works!

What would you most want people to know about your work?

How much I love to create it. I treat each piece with love. I know each item I creat is a representation of me so I put all my efforts into making each one as perfect as I can. If I wouldn't wear it myself, I start over.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Make what you love! If you do that then it won't matter if you are not selling 100 items a week. Just keep doing what you enjoy and it will show.

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You must come over to Jen's shop on Etsy and see her work! You will want it!