As requested by some of our Facebook fans,  here is an interviewed with the exceptionally talented jeweler, Clarity Collins!

What are your favorite materials to work with?

Sterling Silver, hands down. It’s the only metal I’ve ever worn myself and over the last year of working with it silver has become a very dear friend.

What is your favorite design, and is this your best seller?

Since most of my work is one of a kind (although I just introduced a made to order line this month) I don’t really have a best seller. My favorite piece is usually the one I just finished until a new one comes along to steal my affections, but if I have to pick something in the shop this is my current fave: http://www.etsy.com/listing/56329091/seaweed-sterling-silver-london-blue. Something about how wacky it is just makes me smile.

How did you first get into jewelry art in general?

In July of last year I was laid off from a soul-sucking job that I absolutely hated. I decided to do something I’d wanted to do for a long time and teach myself to be a metalsmith, because come on, how hard can it really be? Whhoo boy was I ever clueless, but I found a wonderful community of like minded folks on Etsy and together we formed the Aspiring Metalsmiths team where we get along just fine with a little help from our friends. I’ve also read books, watched tutorials, and asked the experts, but in the end there’s no replacement for good old fashioned trial and error. I’m still very much a beginner at the craft and consider myself an emerging artist. The best of Scrollwork Designs is absolutely yet to come!

Can you tell us more about the themes that run through your jewelry?

Most of my work can be divided into two basic themes: One is my love of scrollwork and filigree, which you can see in the flowing lines and decorative wirework on many of my pieces. I have very high standards for my swirls and spend a lot of time getting them ‘just right’; my fingers love that sort of work. The other is a more modern aesthetic with clean lines, matte or distressed finishes, and bold designs. They’re equal parts of my perception of beauty and I enjoy creating a wide range of styles. Finally, I enjoy creating specific things from life or myth, sculptural jewelry if you will, because they challenge my skills and imagination.

What do you have planned for future collections?

Plan? What is this plan you speak of? I’m up to my neck in business plans right now but I don’t plan my work at all. I sit and I sketch and when I feel that tingly feeling that means it’s just right I go to work and I make it.

Do you get more excited about the design or technical aspects of jewelry art?

Design. I wish I could say technical aspects but it’s that little thrill of adrenaline when a new design ‘clicks’ that keeps me coming back for more. That’s not to say that brilliant technical accomplishments don’t make me giddy as a nerdy schoolgirl because they totally do, just that the design aspect is what I’m fundamentally addicted to.

Can you name another jewelry designer whose work you admire?

Work like this http://www.olbdesign.com/ blows my mind but the artists I admire most are the ones who are masters of their craft and willingly share that information with aspiring artisans. Two in particular are Cliff http://www.etsy.com/shop/cgwhitfield and Barney http://www.etsy.com/shop/Joyfulcrow

Do you find the process of experimentation frustrating or inspiring?

Both. Listen, nobody finds the process of experimentation inspiring and if they say they do they’re lying, because every last one of us swears a blue streak when an experiment goes wrong. Inspiration only gets you so far in the metalsmithing game, technical skills have to take you the rest of the way, and just like muscles those skills don’t grow unless you flex them. So the process of experimentation is how you grow and growth is always inspiring in it’s own way.

Do you prefer doing retail or trade events?

I despise selling my work to real live people, so I prefer a third option: working in my pjs from the comfort of my livingroom. However my team has threatened to beat me with a limp noodle if I don’t at least attempt some shows next year, so I’ll say trade events.

If you could have any jewelry super-power to help you with your jewelry what would it be?

A 48 hour day. Can that be a super power? Like, everyone else’s day stays 24 hours but *my* day goes for 24 more before the rest of the needy demanding world wakes back up. I could get so much more done (sighs)

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