We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leanna Ford. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leanna below.
Leanna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear a story from back when you were an intern or apprentice. What’s a memorable story you can share with us?
I have been so luck to have many creative opportunities. Over the last 25 years, I have had two metal apprenticeships and worked in 3 incredible bead shops, amongst other “maker” jobs in between . All of my bosses at the positions were women and they have highly influenced me and taught me so much about myself and our crafts. The two metalsmiths, in particular, showed me the value in our craft and attention to detail. They shared their knowledge, trusted me and paid me well. I have also had egregiously bad jobs, this is why I deeply believe in equality. I love learning from people who respect the idea of sharing our ancient craft of metalsmithing. We all deserve to learn what we want and to be treated with respect for that fire with us.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I stared making beaded jewelry at a very young age, around the age of 20 I got my first metal apprenticeship and it was game on. I was devouring instructional books and publications, I still prefer a good book over the internet for learning. I’m fairly old school, because I was raised on a farm in Louisiana in the 80’s by hard working people, i suppose.
I do not make fast jewelry, I will admit I am not the quickest but it will be done well. A friend gave me a book once and they’d inscribed “Attention to detail will set you free”…I hold this philosophy close and try to keep it in my daily practices.
I have done much custom work and repairs. The feeling when a client gets a beloved piece in their hands and i can feel their joy, that is priceless to me and keeps me going. As I look back, I am proud that I have fulfilled every commission and repair that I have taken on throughout my career. I no longer take commission work, as I am trying to focus on my own creations that have been building up in my mind screaming to come out. Thought I am willing to through down with another crafter for something never seen before! Plus, I’d love to learn a new craft!
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Funny story, we were housekeepers together! We are both creatives and we clicked immediately. She is a fine art painter, printmaker and quite the craftsperson herself! I believe our detailed disciplines made us excellent housekeepers. She owned and operated Hummingbird Ecocleaning in Austin, which she sold and that’s how we got our “Star” building in Lockhart. We, like many many other creatives, were working in the opposite direction of our art, while always craving time to create. We took the plunge and opened our art gallery and jewelry shop in March 2019.
Allison Geneser and I owned and operated Lone Star Workshop in Lockhart, TX for almost 5 tough yet wonderful years.
Times were up and down, as we all remember the pandemic too well. Though we are closed now, she will always be my sister in arts and life, she literality changed my life!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
You can’t please everyone, stop trying! It only hinder us to do so. It’s ok to slow down, take up space and say no sometimes. If you’re not really feeling it, say no. No is a full sentence. No backstory, just undoing generational unwarranted obedience. Do what you got to do babes!
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