Moose Spotlight: Working By Day, Creating at Night
Women.
It isn’t just a strong word. It’s a statement. Women can, and they will.
As we all know, we celebrate Women’s Month every March. We use purple-themed decorations to show our support and voice out statements of support, but it doesn’t end there. Celebrating women is one of the things we are highly passionate about. Over the years, we have encountered a lot of artists who share bits and pieces of their lives. We are in awe every time and incredibly inspired.
We were able to interview three outstanding jewelry artists who have regular jobs. One is in the beauty industry, an interior designer, and the other is a nurse. Let’s take a peek at what’s life like to these amazing women who do their magic in their respective careers while also pursuing their passion for creating beautiful jewelry.
Meet Alexis of @desertfox.jewelry on Instagram!
Moose: What do you do in your regular day job?
A: My current regular day job is in the beauty industry. That includes hair, nails, makeup, etc. Throughout my life, I’ve always worked in the art industry. That includes interior design, digital design, and fashion design.
Moose: Where do you get your energy in creating? Do you schedule a smithing day or do you do it during your spare time?
A: After having a successful day at work, I always like to continue my creative energy by working on new ring designs and completing old pieces. I, unfortunately, can’t dedicate a whole day to silversmithing with my schedule, so I do the majority of my work at night after my day job.
Moose: What are the challenges of having a 9-5 job while also having a jewelry business?
A: The challenges of having a 9-5 job while also having a jewelry business can be very stressful and challenging at times. My weekly work schedule can be so hectic, and sometimes I have to put my silversmithing on hold or postpone different projects. It’s frustrating, but I’m hoping that I’ll eventually be able to do silversmithing as my main creative outlet.
Moose: Describe a fulfilling/happy day for you.
A: A fulfilling/happy workday involves having a productive and successful time at my day job, then coming home and collaborating with customers for new rings, finishing pieces, and packing orders.
Moose: Do you have any advice for creatives who also want to try creating jewelry while still being in their regular day jobs?
A: My advice for creatives who also want to try creating jewelry while still being in their regular day jobs would be to definitely do it! If it’s something that you are passionate about and want to learn it’s worth pursuing!
Moose: What motivates you to continue what you love doing? 💚
A: Being a part of the silversmithing community and seeing everyone's work has always kept me motivated. I love seeing the different styles of each artist and trying something new.
Moose: Favorite song to listen to when creating.
A: I listen to the majority of my music on vinyl, and love anything from the 70s and 80s. My top three are David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, & Abba.
We also got a chance to talk to @silvermazzy! Claire is an interior designer and is also an incredible jewelry artist.
Moose: What do you do in your regular day job?
C: Interior Designer for hospitality - so restaurants, hotels, and so much more.
Moose: Where do you get your energy in creating? Do you schedule a smithing day or do you do it during your spare time?
C: I get my energy from the entire process of designing, testing, and finalizing jewelry pieces. I am usually smithing in any free time I can find. That means after a long day at my computer; my full-time job is extremely demanding and takes more than just 8 hours a day. Often I use a Saturday or Sunday to get more done in one sitting but also use weeknights to finish up collections.
Moose: What are the challenges of having a 9-5 job while also having a jewelry business?
C: Time, specifically the amount of time I’d like to dedicate to this craft and how much of that time I don’t actually have. Some days I find myself itching to start smithing at any given time but I’m committed and obligated to working my full-time job during the day. So having to stave off the itch to work on things when I have time is the hardest part.
Moose: Describe a fulfilling/happy day for you.
C: Day-to-day, that depends as both of my jobs are creative (and I typically find a lot of fulfillment in creative gestures), but I would say a fulfilling day is one where I am mindful, patient, kind to myself and others. It doesn’t have to be a day that I’ve completed a lot as a task list never ends. A day where there is balance and harmony and some creative endeavor is met is a perfect one.
Moose: Do you have any advice for creatives who also want to try creating jewelry while still being in their regular day jobs?
C: Patience and maintaining balance. You may not have as much time as those who have taken the leap to do this full time, which means you have to dedicate more of your free time to this endeavor. But it’s totally worth it if you find happiness or joy in spending that time in that way. And set realistic expectations for yourself. Don’t ever compare yourself to anyone else in the industry as they have a completely different life than yours.
Moose: What motivates you to continue what you love doing? 💚
C: There is so much joy in thinking a design up in your head (something my brain does quite often, which is both a blessing and a curse), making it with your own hands (no computer needed), and finishing it. AND then having someone want to pay you to own it, it’s pretty cool.
Moose: Favorite song to listen to when creating.
C: That’s really hard because I’m a total lover of tons of different genres of music but My Morning Jacket is an incredible band to listen to while creating, it’s chill and jam-y and keeps me going (sorry, I can’t just pick one song).
Now, let’s take a look at Sam of @joujou_jewelry_’s journey!
Moose: What do you do in your regular day job?
S: My day job is working as a nurse in a hospital. I’ve been a nurse for 12 years now and currently, I work in psych, managing a unit.
Moose: Where do you get your energy in creating? Do you schedule a smithing day or do you do it during your spare time?
S: Creating is really energizing for me. No matter how busy my day job is, it still feels great to knock out a few pieces of jewelry when I get home. It’s relaxing in a productive way. I think of it kind of like exercising - hard work at the moment but rewarding once you finish a good workout. I utilize every little chunk of free time I can find - waiting for dinner to cook in the oven, making bezels while watching a tv show, sketching designs while having a morning coffee on the weekend.
Moose: What are the challenges of having a 9-5 job while also having a jewelry business?
S: The biggest challenge of having a 9-5 job is just time! There’s never enough time in the day and sometimes I have to tell myself “put the torch down!” and focus on life. It also takes a lot of time to create a solid Instagram page and sales site. It’s so frustrating when you finish a piece that you’re really proud of and excited to take photos, but it’s 9 pm and your daylight is long gone. It’s also tricky to do bigger orders for selling your items in shops. I rarely do customs or bulk orders for this reason and I rely primarily on my personal site. Lastly, let’s talk about student loans! I know this is a real barrier for a lot of people. You get an education for your 9-5 and the bills don’t stop. Many people, including myself, also work jobs specifically for loan forgiveness. That being said, I do love my 9-5 and I’m very passionate about my field of work. I work with a very underserved population and it’s so rewarding to provide them with support.
Moose: Describe a fulfilling/happy day for you.
S: A fulfilling day looks like getting a mix of smithing, doing something outdoors, and also spending time with friends and family. The one thing even more energizing than smithing for me is spending time outside - hiking with the dogs, mountain biking, camping, road-tripping to national parks, anything that gets me out.
Moose: Do you have any advice for creatives who also want to try creating jewelry while still being in their regular day jobs?
S: My advice would be that it’s still possible! You can build a strong base for yourself and if you can grow your little business enough, taking the leap to make smithing your primary job will be much easier. If you don’t want to make smithing your full-time gig, that’s totally okay too. I don’t make huge profits off of my pieces, and that’s alright. I really enjoy the process and getting feedback that someone found a personal connection with a piece I made in the world. It’s crazy! And wonderful. I love my many jobs.
Moose: What motivates you to continue what you love doing? 💚
S: Creating something knowing that it might be cherished for a few months, or even years. More than making profits, I care that people truly enjoy something that I made with my hands. It’s also a relaxing hobby for me and during the early parts of the pandemic it totally kept me sane. It’s a fantastic channel for so many things - stress, happiness, creativity, being inspired. It becomes whatever I need.
Moose: Favorite song to listen to when creating.
S: Probably my most listened-to song while working is It’s Not Living by The 1975. Besides that, I listen to a lot of 70’ and 80’s music. If it’s catchy, upbeat, and easy to sing along with, I love it.
Follow Alexis, Claire, and Sam on Instagram! Cheers to all the amazing women out there - we're rooting for you 💚
