
I feel so lucky to be doing what brings me joy. I love making jewelry, and I love experimenting with new materials and honing new techniques. I have been making jewelry for a long time now, and I hope I can continue for many more years to come. I was Born in London, U.K., then spent my early life in St. Johns and Montreal Canada. My family later moved to Washington, D.C., where I went to high school. During high school I began learning the jewelry trade and bead techniques from a local artisan. After high school, I attended New York University and studied humanities and photography. Following graduation, I lived and worked in Chicago for a decade, where I rekindled my love of jewelry design and bead and wire techniques. While there, I worked and trained in silversmith techniques at Lil Street Art Center, and began selling my bead and wire creations in local stores. In 2004, I again settled in the D.C. area. Jewelry By Roz was established in 2006, and I have been creating jewelry and building my business since. I get my inspiration from every-day surroundings and the shapes and colors of the stones and other media I use in my jewelry, as well as my two daughters. I use sterling silver, gold-filled wire, precious metal clay, polymer clay and fine facets, and every piece of jewelry is handmade. Making jewelry inspires and excites me, and I am challenged to see what I can create, but I also feel satisfaction from the wonderful people I have met along the way and the places I have visited.
What is your medium of choice?
I use sterling silver wire and gold filled wire for the majority of my pieces. I also create hand-crocheted necklaces that have sterling silver pendants made of precious metal clay, which I have been using more and more frequently, because it is fun to use, and there are so many possibilities. I have yet to tap into all of the possibilities, but I am methodically working my way through! Recently, I have started using polymer clay, and I am having so much fun! And I am combining all of these materials to come up with unique pieces.
Why have you chosen your current medium?
I always had a love of shiny, sparkly jewels. When I was really young, I took apart old pieces of jewelry and put them together with rubber washers and other materials I found at the hardware store to make unique, funky pieces. Just the beginning, I have evolved, and now I loose myself when I start to create pieces. I love learning different techniques, trying new materials, and developing my craft. This was something I always wanted to do, I am lucky that I have a family that supports me!
What's your typical day?
Life has definitely changed since the pandemic, but it has forced me to be more structured. I typically do social media posts in the morning, the rest of the day is a combination of either making pieces, fulfilling orders, photographing jewelry, editing photographs, and /or updating my social media sites. I try to do more social media posts at the end of the day as well.
Why do you feel your art/craft is important/relevant today?
I believe that everyone has the right to buy and wear something that makes them feel special, beautiful, or that just brings them joy. I also believe that people should be able to enjoy giving beautiful things to others to make them feel loved and special. In these crazy days, that seems to be something people look forward to even more = a way to connect with others and feel "normal". I like to think that my jewelry can provide access to all of these things.
What has been the most difficult challenge for you as an artist/maker?
The business management component has been a challenge. If you are doing this on your own, you have to wear many hats. You don't just get to be the artist. I never have a problem with inspiration or motivation to make pieces, I just sometimes struggle with finding the time to fit it in to all the other aspects of the business.
What is the most gratifying part of making your work?
I love seeing the happy faces of customers and hearing how much they enjoy my jewelry!
Where do you find inspiration?
As I said earlier, I get my inspiration from every-day surroundings and the shapes and colors of the stones and other media I use in my jewelry as well as my two daughters. I often sit and stare at the materials I have, and ideas just flow. I find that I get so many ideas, that I have to write them down, because I will forget!!
Where is your studio/work space?
My studio is currently in a room in my house, which is also the laundry room. It is a nice size, but I have outgrown it. We are in the process of building my new studio in the 2 car garage we have in the back yard that is not being used. I hope that this new space will be done before Christmas. Here's hoping!!
What's your typical studio playlist?
I recently discovered Podcasts! I love listening to scary ghost stories, true crime and supernatural stories. I love Crime Junkie, Supernatural, Real Life Ghost Stories, Full Body Chills and The Poisoners' Cabinet
How do you get yourself out of a creative rut?
Whenever I have a creative rut, I re-make pieces. This makes me look at the materials I was using in a new light and the ways I can combine them with other materials. I also go shopping!!! New beads, findings, and clay always get me going!
Favorite blog/movie/tv show/book that never fails to inspire or just clears the mind:
As I said earlier, I love listening to Podcasts about true crimes, ghost stories and the paranormal. It's also true for TV shows, movies, and books. I can never think of my favorites when asked, but I can tell you the ones that I have enjoyed recently.
Share your process - bonus points if there's a story behind it:
When I start to make new pieces of jewelry, I either sit and look at my materials for a while until they start talking to me, or I look back at all the ideas I have been sketching and recording. I tend to make collections, because I have a tons of variations that can be made around the same materials.
What's your dream project - if you had all the time and materials in the world?
I am always adding new materials and techniques to my repertoire, especially lately. I would love to make pieces that incorporate all of them!!
What artists influence your work/who are your creative idols?
I only recently started getting into the Instagram world, and I have been following some amazing jewelers, as well as stained glass artists. They do very different styles and techniques than I do, but I find inspiration to just get moving because of the sheer volume they create!
Describe yourself in 5 words:
Creative, musical, funny (I hope), loved, happy
Describe your work in 5 words:
Timely, delicate, unique, fun and colorful
Tell us something funny or exciting that has happened in regards to your artwork/craft:
To me, an exciting aspect is that stores all over the country - from Alaska to Arizona to New Jersey - are selling my jewelry. I never anticipated that!
How do you find balance?
I love making jewelry, but I try to take time for myself and my family as well. I love spending time with my daughters. We love the same TV shows and many of the same books. We have a great time talking about friends, music, TV, and art. I love going for regular walks with my husband and catching up on life and plans. I love running on the treadmill and watching my supernatural and Science Fiction shows while I run. I like to drink my glass (or two) of wine and I LOVE playing the drums. I am in a band called MAAM. We are 4 mom and a man (he plays lead guitar). We have been recording songs in the studio and are starting to get shows (when they are available due to the virus). Check us out www.MAAM.Rocks!
Is there a story behind your business name?
Originally I wanted to call my business Rosie Toes, based on a friend's reinterpretation of my childhood nickname Rosie Posie. As I got closer to creating my business, a friend, who designs Websites and generously offered to help me get started, suggested Jewelry By Roz, because he knew that when people were searching on the internet for jewelry, that a business name that started with the word jewelry would be more likely to show up first. Good suggestion! Still not 100% sure it's true. Who knows?
Is there anything you'd like the public to know about your work upon purchasing it?
It was 100% handmade with love and joy!!!
Visit http://www.jewelrybyroz.com to see more of her lovely work!
I use sterling silver wire and gold filled wire for the majority of my pieces. I also create hand-crocheted necklaces that have sterling silver pendants made of precious metal clay, which I have been using more and more frequently, because it is fun to use, and there are so many possibilities. I have yet to tap into all of the possibilities, but I am methodically working my way through! Recently, I have started using polymer clay, and I am having so much fun! And I am combining all of these materials to come up with unique pieces.
Why have you chosen your current medium?
I always had a love of shiny, sparkly jewels. When I was really young, I took apart old pieces of jewelry and put them together with rubber washers and other materials I found at the hardware store to make unique, funky pieces. Just the beginning, I have evolved, and now I loose myself when I start to create pieces. I love learning different techniques, trying new materials, and developing my craft. This was something I always wanted to do, I am lucky that I have a family that supports me!
What's your typical day?
Life has definitely changed since the pandemic, but it has forced me to be more structured. I typically do social media posts in the morning, the rest of the day is a combination of either making pieces, fulfilling orders, photographing jewelry, editing photographs, and /or updating my social media sites. I try to do more social media posts at the end of the day as well.
Why do you feel your art/craft is important/relevant today?
I believe that everyone has the right to buy and wear something that makes them feel special, beautiful, or that just brings them joy. I also believe that people should be able to enjoy giving beautiful things to others to make them feel loved and special. In these crazy days, that seems to be something people look forward to even more = a way to connect with others and feel "normal". I like to think that my jewelry can provide access to all of these things.
What has been the most difficult challenge for you as an artist/maker?
The business management component has been a challenge. If you are doing this on your own, you have to wear many hats. You don't just get to be the artist. I never have a problem with inspiration or motivation to make pieces, I just sometimes struggle with finding the time to fit it in to all the other aspects of the business.
What is the most gratifying part of making your work?
I love seeing the happy faces of customers and hearing how much they enjoy my jewelry!
Where do you find inspiration?
As I said earlier, I get my inspiration from every-day surroundings and the shapes and colors of the stones and other media I use in my jewelry as well as my two daughters. I often sit and stare at the materials I have, and ideas just flow. I find that I get so many ideas, that I have to write them down, because I will forget!!
Where is your studio/work space?
My studio is currently in a room in my house, which is also the laundry room. It is a nice size, but I have outgrown it. We are in the process of building my new studio in the 2 car garage we have in the back yard that is not being used. I hope that this new space will be done before Christmas. Here's hoping!!
What's your typical studio playlist?
I recently discovered Podcasts! I love listening to scary ghost stories, true crime and supernatural stories. I love Crime Junkie, Supernatural, Real Life Ghost Stories, Full Body Chills and The Poisoners' Cabinet
How do you get yourself out of a creative rut?
Whenever I have a creative rut, I re-make pieces. This makes me look at the materials I was using in a new light and the ways I can combine them with other materials. I also go shopping!!! New beads, findings, and clay always get me going!
Favorite blog/movie/tv show/book that never fails to inspire or just clears the mind:
As I said earlier, I love listening to Podcasts about true crimes, ghost stories and the paranormal. It's also true for TV shows, movies, and books. I can never think of my favorites when asked, but I can tell you the ones that I have enjoyed recently.
Share your process - bonus points if there's a story behind it:
When I start to make new pieces of jewelry, I either sit and look at my materials for a while until they start talking to me, or I look back at all the ideas I have been sketching and recording. I tend to make collections, because I have a tons of variations that can be made around the same materials.
What's your dream project - if you had all the time and materials in the world?
I am always adding new materials and techniques to my repertoire, especially lately. I would love to make pieces that incorporate all of them!!
What artists influence your work/who are your creative idols?
I only recently started getting into the Instagram world, and I have been following some amazing jewelers, as well as stained glass artists. They do very different styles and techniques than I do, but I find inspiration to just get moving because of the sheer volume they create!
Describe yourself in 5 words:
Creative, musical, funny (I hope), loved, happy
Describe your work in 5 words:
Timely, delicate, unique, fun and colorful
Tell us something funny or exciting that has happened in regards to your artwork/craft:
To me, an exciting aspect is that stores all over the country - from Alaska to Arizona to New Jersey - are selling my jewelry. I never anticipated that!
How do you find balance?
I love making jewelry, but I try to take time for myself and my family as well. I love spending time with my daughters. We love the same TV shows and many of the same books. We have a great time talking about friends, music, TV, and art. I love going for regular walks with my husband and catching up on life and plans. I love running on the treadmill and watching my supernatural and Science Fiction shows while I run. I like to drink my glass (or two) of wine and I LOVE playing the drums. I am in a band called MAAM. We are 4 mom and a man (he plays lead guitar). We have been recording songs in the studio and are starting to get shows (when they are available due to the virus). Check us out www.MAAM.Rocks!
Is there a story behind your business name?
Originally I wanted to call my business Rosie Toes, based on a friend's reinterpretation of my childhood nickname Rosie Posie. As I got closer to creating my business, a friend, who designs Websites and generously offered to help me get started, suggested Jewelry By Roz, because he knew that when people were searching on the internet for jewelry, that a business name that started with the word jewelry would be more likely to show up first. Good suggestion! Still not 100% sure it's true. Who knows?
Is there anything you'd like the public to know about your work upon purchasing it?
It was 100% handmade with love and joy!!!
Visit http://www.jewelrybyroz.com to see more of her lovely work!