Rekindling Creativity: A Metalsmith's Journey

A little over 5 years ago, my jewelry teaching studio in the heart of the NE Minneapolis Arts District, Quench Jewelry Arts, was thriving. I felt pretty confident about my business and its future direction—right before the pandemic changed everything, forcing the difficult decision to close our doors.

Now, almost five years later, I'm still navigating the aftermath. Recovery? It's complicated.

For years, I had carefully built a creative sanctuary where metalsmiths and makers could gather, exchange knowledge, and inspire one another. In such an environment, learning was constant—every day brought new theories to test, experiments to advance, and challenges to overcome. This dynamic problem-solving process remains fundamental to our growth as creators. It's why I firmly believe our mistakes teach us more about our craft than our successes ever could.

Whether you're creating for pleasure, practicing traditional silver or goldsmithing, mastering jewelry design and stone setting, or honing lapidary skills—we each hold valuable wisdom worth sharing with our community.