Inside a Maker's Mind

Summer Jeweler

2025-07-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

Summer 2025!

How is everyone doing? How is it that summer is half over? W O W. We look forward to summer here in Chicago. So much to do outside. I have been doing as much as possible while it is warm and not getting into my studio very much. We traveled to the Outer Banks in North Carolina earlier in June. It was HOT. We just got back from a week long family trip to Lewes Delaware and it was fantastic! We always look forward to seeing family from Seattle, Virginia and friend from Philadelphia! Now if these 90 and 100 degree temps would settle I could actually get to my studio. More soon! Hope you guys are having a great summer also!

xo Sarah

Adorn: Contemporary Wearable Art

2015-09-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

Please join me in Chicago for this exciting show!

ADORN: Contemporary Wearable Art
Woman Made Gallery
685 N Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642

This exhibition showcases innovative works that challenge the traditions of jewelry, fashion, and wearable art as both personal adornment and public sculpture. Selections were curated by Yevgeniya Kaganovich, an artist, wearables designer, Professor and Chair of the Department of Art and Design at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and head of its thriving Jewelry and Metalsmithing program. This event will correspond with the EXPO Chicago art fair.

September 18th - October 22nd, 2015
Artists Reception: Friday September 18th 6-8pm
Artists Talk: Friday, October 9th 4-6pm

Penland Gallery Special Jewelry Collection

2015-08-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

I have a great little collection of steel and stocking earrings and brooches that will be on exhibit next weekend for the Penland Gallery Annual Benefit Auction. I wish I could be there!

Red Hot Summer Earrings

2015-06-23T08:22:00.000-07:00

New Earring Alert! I've found time to make a few things in the studio lately and I'm really into these hot new stick earrings with red stockings. What do you think? I'm enjoying these splashes of color in my work.

http://www.sarahholdenmetalsmithing.com/shop/?model_number=1278729

Mother's Day

2015-05-11T14:11:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I celebrated my first Mother's Day. It turned out to be much more than I had expected. My life has changed in so many wonderful ways since my mini metalsmith, Hazel, has entered my world. My husband totally spoiled me by giving me an entire day in the studio, complete with a coffee drop-off in the middle of the day and dinner, flowers, chocolates and a massage coupon waiting for me when I got home. I am still kind of shocked. How did Mother's Day turn into another birthday or anniversary day? I'm not complaining! Being a mom is hard work. I'm glad there is a day that everyone takes time to appreciate how much sacrifice goes into taking care of a little one. Mostly, I am still surprised at how emotional I got seeing everyone else's photos of their moms and reading their sweet words on social media. I mean, I always did that stuff when I was a kid, because you're supposed to, but something about being a mom and reading those words from the other side does something to you. Motherhood has been a powerful shift in my world. It has impacted the way I see the world and the reason why I make artwork. I am so thankful for this little girl. At five months old, I have already gone through a lot of ups and downs. She is the sweetest little thing and I am so excited to watch her grow into an amazing woman.

Website Refresh

2015-04-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah! It feels good to add a bunch of new work, news and updates to the website. I've got a few exciting exhibitions, lectures and print going on this summer and later this year.

If you haven't been to my website in a while, check it out here:

http://www.sarahholdenmetalsmithing.com/

SNAG Boston Conference Exhibitions

2015-04-29T17:32:00.002-07:00

My work will be included in two exhibitions and one presentation during the 2015 SNAG Boston Conference. May 20-23rd at the Boston Plaza Hotel.

Maia Leppo, Jessica Tolbert and Anne Fiala will be presenting research that they gathered from metalsmiths, jewelers and makers in the field of metalsmithing and jewelry that centers around the spaces that unite and divide the field of metalsmithing. It should be a very interesting discussion. It's happening from 4:00 - 5:30 pm on Thursday May 21st. I have submitted a bunch of great info about why I make, how I feel that's different and the subject of motherhood and making will most definitely be discussed.

#thisisabrooch started as a hashtag on Instagram and has turned into a full blown exhibition! I couldn't be more excited to be included in this show, curated by Emilie Mulcahey and Maggie Smith. Check them out in one of the Adorned Spaces Exhibits all day Friday 10am - 10pm. Check out more about #thisisabrooch on their website here: #thisisabrooch

#thisisnotabrooch is a traveling exhibit that is hosted by Platforma One Gallery. Images of brooches printed on stickers that will be distributed throughout the conference. I will have a few stickers floating around. Find them! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook. I want to see them!

Center for Metal Arts

2015-02-27T20:08:00.000-08:00

Check out this awesome blacksmithing and metal arts center that I just found...and totally fell in love with!! The Center for Metal Arts, just outside of New York City. How sexy are these hammers? Blacksmith and Sculptor Patrick Quinn is teaching a workshop on how to make one of these sexy beasts... I might need to sign up for this. How rad would be it be to make a hammer for myself?? #imin

New Earrings

2015-02-19T19:19:00.001-08:00

I added a few new earrings to the shop tonight. It's been so cold in Chicago lately that all I can think about is Spring weather. Wearing some jorts (jean shorts, obvi), flops, tank top, hair up & a sweet pair of dangling earrings. Doesn't that sound sweet? I can't wait... I think these will be the first that come out once the weather gets warm.

Split Ruffle Stick Earrings

sterling silver/mild steel

Check them out in my shop here:

www.sarahholdenmetalsmithing.com/shop

Or in all silver....

Split Ruffle Stick Earrings

sterling silver

www.sarahholdenmetalsmithing.com/shop

Mama Metalsmith Talk

2015-02-17T12:58:00.000-08:00

In November last year, I did a studio tour for a few Art & Design Jewelry & Metalsmithing students from UW-Stout who were visiting Chicago for the SOFA Design Fair. I was excited to engage with students and see my colleagues Masako Onodera and Lynn Batchelder since I was far too pregnant to waddle around the SOFA exhibition. I was excited to introduce them to my new body of work about the experience of being pregnant.

"Areola O Plenty" (brooch)

2014

mild steel, deconstructed brassiere, nylon stockings

"Fountains" (brooch)

2014

mild steel, deconstructed brassiere, nylon stockings

"From B to D in 3 months" (necklace)

2014

mild steel, nylon stockings

"Swelling" (brooch)

2014

mild steel, nylon stockings

This conversation of being a mom and having an artistic career, and whether or not this is supported by our field is a very interesting, current and relevant topic to me. I have to be honest, I was very quiet on social media about being pregnant. I was worried! I thought as soon as curators, galleries and people with potential job opportunities considered me, if they knew I was pregnant, the decision would be made for me. "Oh, she probably won't be able to do it. She's pregnant, ya know." The last thing I want is to not engage with the field any longer. Whether people knew and continued make me offers, or they didn't know and made me offers, whatever I did worked and I was still receiving invitations and acceptance into shows and opportunities. I still wonder if I had been more open about it, if I still would have been invited. This is why I feel the need to start this conversation. I WANT to be a mom and be a participating artist. I WANT to be the one who makes the decision about whether I can participate, travel or teach. I don't want those decisions to be made for me, just because I have family commitments now.

There are SO MANY women that populate the field of Jewelry and Metalsmthing right now, why are we talking about this more? Many of the fine institutions that nurture our future leaders are run by women. Yet so many of them (that I have had conversations with) are hesitant to start a family because of the time they are required to put towards their institution, practice and exhibition schedule. This is, of course, not a problem specific to our field. Women in the US have to decide at some point if they can have a successful career and a family. Unfortunately, that time when your career is really starting tends to be right around the same time our fertility might be at its peak. Why is that? Why couldn't we have kids into our 60s or 70s like men?

For all you moms out there, moms to be, or ladies considering momhood, I thought starting the conversation about how I am making the mom/career balance work for me might encourage you to ask questions and tell me how it is working for you. I don't think this is just one conversation, so I would love to hear from you! In the mean time, I would like to start a series about my work, my daughter and my practice. I think we'll call it Mama Metalsmith Talk.

First off...it's hard! Negotiating my practice, my husband and my daughter....that life balance, it isn't easy! I recognize that I am so lucky to have a supportive partner. That doesn't mean that I don't work my ass off. Before Hazel came around, I had three jobs. I worked 30 hours a week for another artist, taught classes at two art centers, then there was my practice (making work for galleries, exhibitions and trade shows). About 4 weeks before Hazel was born, I stopped making work, stopped going to the studio and just laid low, which was hard because I am a worker! I enjoy working on several things at once, so this "break" was surprisingly hard for me. Hazel was born and I was totally sucked into her awesomeness. However, after six weeks of baby, I had to get back into the studio. For me, I find that I have to carve out that time for the studio, or just "getting to it," never happens. It was very clear to me that I had to create a schedule to outline my studio time in order to make sure there is always time set aside for me to make my work. For now, I have stopped working for others and commit my time exclusively to my practice and my family. What does that look like you ask? A little something like this...

Hazel in the studio

Monday - Friday
6:30 am - wake up and feed the baby (ugh! so early!)
7:00 - 8:00 am - exercise (daddy watches the baby)
8:00 - 9:00 - shower/breakfast (daddy goes off to work)
9:00 - 10:00 - get baby ready & get to the studio!!
10:00 - 3:00/4:00 - get 3 or 4 stretches of work time anywhere from 40 mins to 1 hr, separated by baby cuddles, feeding, changing & hanging out.
4:00 - 7:00 - head back home, hang exclusively with kiddo, make some dinner, put kiddo to bed, daddy gets home at 7pm
7:00pm - 10:00pm - head back to studio to get some late night solo work done, or computer time

Saturday & Sunday
7:30/8:30 - wake up with baby
10:00am - 5:00pm - studio time. Get all the super noisy/messy or complicated work done while daddy hangs with baby at home.

At least this is what it looks like now! I am very well aware that baby can change at any point and throw the whole schedule off. That being said, having a schedule gives me something to stick to and ensures that both daddy and I get things done that we need to get done. The hardest thing? Motivating myself to leave the house everyday! It's so easy to just stay home, especially when you live in a snowglobe of a city like Chicago.

Would love to hear your comments! Especially if you have any secrets about how to make it work!
xoxo - Sarah

New Year, Back at It

2015-02-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone! Are you still out there? It's been a loooooong time since I posted. What can I say? Posting on Instagram is really, really easy.

Well, I'd like to try to post some more on here, and it seems like you all are watching the blog, so I should keep it up, right? Well, since JULY two years ago (when I last posted...whoa!...embarrasing). There has been A LOT going on. Big News this year is that I had a little girl named Hazel (she's amazing) AND I have finally taken the leap and I am a full time studio artist. It's crazy. It's been 4 years since I graduated from school and its finally time to do this thing on my own. I'm pumped! First off...here's Hazel

I mean COME ON! Can she get any CUTER? Annnnd here is our family now. I'm pretty stoked.

So, are you still out there? Are you still paying attention? Give me a shout out if you would still like to see me post some things. Here are a few of my favorite things on my website right now, just in case you are looking for anything super sweet for your sweetheart.

The Design-It-Yourself! Necklace - Necklace has

three different pinbacks so the shape of the necklace can

be changed depending on the shape of the collar of your

shirt. Made of Sterling Silver and Mild Steel.

Design It Yourself Necklace

The Classic Cube Cufflinks - These are as basic

as they come, but if your fella is anything like mine, the

more simple the better. That way he can wear super funky

shirts and not clash, right?

Classic Cube Cufflinks

Solid Steel Curl Hoops - These are some of the newest pieces

I've made. The mild steel is all welded together with a 14 karat

gold ear wire. They are super lightweight and I love how visually

chunky they are without being heavy. I'm pretty obsessed with these

Solid Steel Curl Hoops

Hopefully talk to you again really soon!

xoxo

Sarah

Siamese Connection

2013-07-17T21:51:00.000-07:00

Vessel is a table-top shield that effeminates stee' and structuralizes nylon stockings to contradict material gender. This piece has not been shown outside of my thesis show, but will be on exhibit beginning this Saturday, July 20th in New York at Brooklyn Metal Works. The Siamese Connection exhibition is inspired by a water pipe with two openings that is often seen in urban life. The exhibition was intended to bring together work that has a "collision of two elements or an unexpected branching." I'm curious to see the exhibition and to finally see the space. This will be the second show that I've been in there and I thought the work included in the Re-Fresh exhibition was pretty killer, so I hope this show follows suit.

Earrings for the Society of Contemporary Craft

2013-04-11T22:57:00.000-07:00

This week I sent a nice big package of ruffle steel earrings to the Society for Contemporary Craft. Some nice steel jewelry for a sweet steel town. Go pick up a few pairs for yourself or your sweetie.

Ruta's new necklace

2013-03-30T15:20:00.001-07:00

I made a necklace for my friend mike's lady two years ago and the painted steel wire I used just wasn't holding up. I exchanged the yellow painted steel wire for a thicker brass wire that I powder coated with transparent fluorescent yellow. It looks awesome! It's great because when it catches the light just right you can see the fluorescent bits. I think I may need to start finishing brass like this.

Rachael's Necklace

2013-03-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

I finished Rachael's Necklace earlier this week. She wanted a pendant necklace that was very flat like the cherry blossom necklace that she bought from me a few years ago. When we met for our design session, she said she really liked the woven stud post earrings that I make, but her ears aren't pierced, so she wanted me to make a necklace out of them. Each little sterling silver and steel woven ball is soldered onto a sterling silver frame. I really like the view of the back of the piece. To top it off, I set two tiny little citrines in the ends of the toggle. I can't wait to see a photo of it on her!

Sometimes I take photos at night

2013-03-28T11:29:00.000-07:00

For any of you who have had a chance to chat with me for more than about five minutes after August of last year, I have probably brought up that my husband and I bought our first home last year in the historic and totally awesome neighborhood of Logan Square in Chicago. The nerve racking negotiations of purchasing the home, and on multiple occasions thinking there was no way we would or could actually own it, make the fact that it is ours now even sweeter. It's pretty often that Dave and I look at each other and remark "we actually LIVE here.." Aside from the fact that this section of Logan Square is developing every day, with new great restaurants and bars like Scofflaw (named best new bar by Chicago Magazine), Ground Control and Parson's Chicken and Fish popping up all around us, we actually have a little yard and the house itself is our perfect idea of a home. I am head over heels in love with this place. A few weeks ago, I couldn't sleep and decided to take out my camera and play around with with slow shutter speeds to capture our house at night. It was just after one of the many snow storms that hit us in late February, so there was some great light reflecting everywhere outside. I especially enjoyed the streaks of light as the cars passed by while the shutter was open and the quietness of the house next door that was burned down by lightning in the fall. It's nice to just take a few moments to be thankful for where we are in life and appreciate how lucky we are.

Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs

2013-03-23T06:06:00.003-07:00

Oooo. Naturally dyed easter eggs. I don't have kids, but if I did, I would totally want to spend a day making some of these eggs. Look at all those great colors! Great article from design sponge.

Fiber Jewelry

2013-03-14T10:35:00.000-07:00

looking this morning at jewelers that use fiber in their work smartly, seductively, connectively or as subject

From Russia with Love

2013-03-13T08:45:00.002-07:00

I wish I knew how to make shoes. Look at all the cool tools he gets to use!

Handmade Portraits: From Russia With Love from Etsy on Vimeo.

Lauren Vanessa Tickle

2013-03-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

Lauren Vanessa Tickle. From New York. From her Increasing Value Series.

Exciting jewelry to start the day off right....

Lauren Tickle
Brooch: $12.50 US Dollars, Currency Converted 2011
US Currency, Silver, Latex, Monofilament
2.54 x 7.62 x 7.62 cm
Photo Credit: Marc Creedon

Lauren Tickle
Brooch: $16.50 US Dollars, Currency Converted 2011
US Currency, Silver, Latex, Monofilament
2.54 x 7.62 x 7.62 cm
Photo Credit: Marc Creedon

Lauren Tickle
Necklace: $300.00 US Dollars, Currency Converted 2011
US Currency, Silver, Latex, Monofilament, Surgical Steel
11.43 x 20.32 x 22.86 cm
Photo Credit: Marc Creedon

Lauren Tickle
Brooch: $54.00 and $22.00 US Dollars, Currency Converted 2012
US Currency, Silver, Latex, Monofilament, Surgical Steel
Photo Credit: Lauren Vanessa Tickle

Lauren Tickle
Brooch: $54.00 US Dollars, Currency Converted 2012
US Currency, Silver, Latex, Monofilament, Surgical Steel
1.9 x 9.53 x 9.53 cm
Photo Credit: Lauren Vanessa Tickle

Lauren Tickle
Brooch: $22.00 US Dollars, Currency Converted 2012
1.58 x 6.65 x 9.19 cm
Photo Credit: Lauren Vanessa Tickle

Lauren Tickle
Brooch: $22.00 US Dollars, Currency Converted 2012
US Currency, Silver, Latex, Monofilament, Surgical Steel
1.58 x 6.65 x 9.19 cm
Back side
Photo Credit: Lauren Vanessa Tickle

Lauren Tickle
Brooch: $32.00 US Dollars, Currency Converted 2012
US Currency, Silver, Latex, Monofilament, Surgical Steel
2.22 x 9.53 x 12.7 cm
Photo Credit: Lauren Vanessa Tickle

Lauren Tickle
Brooch: $32.00 US Dollars, Currency Converted 2012
US Currency, Silver, Latex, Monofilament, Surgical Steel
2.22 x 9.53 x 12.7 cm
Back side
Photo Credit: Lauren Vanessa Tickle

Lauren Tickle
Brooch: $32.00 US Dollars, Currency Converted (Body) 2012
US Currency, Silver, Latex, Monofilament, Surgical Steel
2.22 x 9.53 x 12.7 cm
Photo Credit: Rachit Shukla

Arizona

2013-03-11T11:41:00.000-07:00

two weeks ago I went to go visit dave's parents in arizona. they travel there every year for the winter to escape the canadian cold. this was my first time visiting them, and my first trip to arizona. here are some of the more contemplative moments from my trip.

Checking out metalsmiths on Vimeo

2013-03-11T10:16:00.001-07:00

Handmade Portraits: Nanopod from Etsy on Vimeo.

MCA: METALSMITHING PROMO from Kaitlyn Chandler on Vimeo.

MetalsmithingDepartment from Lillstreet Art Center on Vimeo.

UWM Jewelry & Metalsmithing from frankie flood on Vimeo.

of course I had to give a few shout outs to my peeps! Nice work!

Joan Tanner Sculptor and Amazing Woman

2013-03-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

The mother of the wonderful woman I currently work for (and have for the last 2 years worked for) is a Santa Barabara sculptor and all 'round amazing lady named Joan Tanner. This video highlights her major installations and projects for the last four years. Joan is such an intelligent woman and I have always enjoyed chatting with her when she visits Chicago from California. I really love this video because I get to see her in her element and speaking about her work directly and thoroughly. I picked up a notebook when I first saw this a week ago and have not stopped writing since! I'm so happy to have seen this document right after coming back from the American Craft Council Show in Baltimore. I enjoyed making such a large amount of my limited production work, but I'm very ready to make something weird.

Monochrome Noir

2013-03-10T23:23:00.002-07:00

I was so excited to be a part of the Monochrome Noir exhibition at the Velvet da Vinci Gallery in San Francisco. I pushed to get a bunch of work done with a tight deadline, and I am really happy with the work that came out of that push. Art Jewelry Forum posted an interview they had with the curators from the show and my work was highlighted! Happy to be part of such a great show. There is also a catalog available for $20 smackers.

Black and White and Red All Over

2012-09-21T10:10:00.001-07:00

Black and White and Red All Over by holdensarahc featuring yves saint laurent