Today we’d like to introduce you to Brie Flora.
Hi Brie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always loved making since I was a little kid, whether it be drawing, painting, or playing with clay, I’ve always wanted to do it all. I went to Massachusetts College of Arts & Design and received a double BFA in Art Education and Jewelry & Metalsmithing. I found Jewelry & Metalsmithing in my third year of college and fell in love, so I added it on as a second major. After graduating, I taught beginning and intermediate jewelry and metal-arts courses for a year in Boston at Metalwerx School before moving down to TN in 2016 with a group of artists to pursue other opportunities.
For the first few years, I worked for a fashion company in Nashville as a production jeweler from home, but after 2 years I wanted to take a chance and focus on my own work. I applied to craft shows and various contemporary jewelry exhibitions and was able to quit my part-time towards the end of 2018 to focus on my work full time. I spent all of 2018 and 2019 traveling to various craft shows around the country selling my wearable jewelry. I’ve also exhibited work in various group exhibitions and created and curated two volumes of a project called Guidelines (follow @guidelines_jewelry for more info).
Currently I am taking some time to design and create new work to sell online and lining up a handful of craft shows for 2022. I’m also working on learning how to design more of my “production” work on the computer to get laser cut. Up until recently, I’ve hand-pierced all of my work using a jeweler saw. My hope is through laser cutting some of my jewelry pieces, it will free up some of my time to spend making more one-of-a-kind or sculptural work again!
The biggest and most exciting career change that came from a lot of hard work and planning during 2020 and the beginning of this year was opening a new brick & mortar. I have always wanted to own my own gallery to sell and exhibit not just my own work but to support local artists and out-of-state artists I’ve gotten to know from craft shows. I co-opened The Silver Fern – Gallery & Handcrafted Wellness with my friend and acupuncturist Brandy Lynn! For more info on our shop and what we offer, visit www.thesilverfernshop.com and follow us on Instagram @the.silverfern. I am definitely someone who is juggling many hats, but truly what artist/maker/creative person isn’t? I love what I do!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like many others, my whole world was turned upside down in 2020. As for my work and way of making a living, everything was canceled. Long story short, I found myself teaching online virtual jewelry classes, and did my best to expand my online sales. I also spent the year really taking some time to reflect and to think about what I want success and happiness to look like for me, and most importantly how I could continue doing what I love.
I began working for Metalwerx again, remotely from TN, at the beginning of this year. I am a virtual TA for their online jewelry courses and help out with their social media and marketing. Working for Metalwerx has taken some of my time away from working in my studio, but it has been a great way to stay connected with my Jewelry & Metalsmithing community around the country, since many students and instructors are tuning in from all over!
I also think one of my biggest challenges is giving myself time off, I often feel like I’m always working. Yes, I love what I do, but who doesn’t like a vacation or a long weekend!?
I would say another struggle has been moving away from my family who is up in Massachusetts and Vermont. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to afford or do all that I’m doing here in TN if I was still up in the Boston area. It’s just so expensive up there. But OMG, how I miss the weather up north, the snow and all… especially the gorgeous fall weather. I’m a 60-70º person, I live for that cool crisp air with a warm sun.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My handcrafted jewelry plays with symmetry, negative space, patterns, and color. I use traditional metalsmithing techniques such as piercing, forming, and soldering, and recently have been mixing in more industrial and contemporary techniques such as laser cutting and powder coating.
I take inspiration from nature, fantasy & fiction to create unique sculptural objects and wearable art. Working in both sterling silver and powder-coated brass, I look to achieve an organized maximalist aesthetic that celebrates pops of color and illustrative forms. I’m beginning to explore drawing and painting again and have plans for some larger work in the future.
I think what sets me apart from some others is that my wearable work can be unusual at times, bold, and challenges people’s traditional expectations of what jewelry is. But I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without studying and learning from others in my field. I’m super interested in contemporary jewelry and am inspired by what other jeweler artists are doing right now such as Märta Mattsson, Katia Rabey, Mallory Weston, Paige Harwell of Drainbowland, and Funlola Coker just to name a few… there are so many more to name!
Between alternative materials and bold shapes and colors, I definitely find all of their work to be inspiring. I strive to make work that will inspire others in a similar way, and I’m just happy and feel lucky to be part of a community that is filled with talent and amazing minds.
What makes you happy?
Traveling, getting outside during fall weather, a good hike, my partner, friends, and family, my two boys (my cats) Spock and Sprocket, and a good sci-fi/fantasy film – I love a good story that can take me away to another world for while!
Traveling and getting outside is one of the main ways I find inspiration for my work, even if it doesn’t hit me right away.
Contact Info:
- Email: brie@brieflora.com
- Website: brieflora.com
- Instagram: @brie_flora
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brieflorametalsmithing
Image Credits
Hailey B Creative
