We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sandy Gordon-kolb. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sandy below.

Sandy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The mass production jewelry industry has dominated the moderate price level jewelry market. It has conceived what current jewelry design trends should be and convinced customers through its marketing strategies to buy them to conform with the crowd status. The idea that jewelry should have special meaning for its buyer and wearer, that it should reflect their character has somehow been lost. So has the value, appreciation and beauty of the art of handmade jewelry via traditional goldsmithing techniques been buried beneath less costly mass produced designs. I am one of many independent artisan jewelry designers that strives to have a voice in this mass market.
I attempt to appeal to the customer’s unique character and desires with designs melding uncommon fine quality natural gemstones with one or more precious metals in artful patterns. Each design is one of a kind but affordable for the moderately priced market. Each piece offers choice of something different to the buyer. Different in design, use of an ancient technique, or combination of metals. It permits the buyer or the gift giver to find something really special of lasting quality. To own and cherish. In doing so, I hope to contribute to the sustaining and support of the art of goldsmithing.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

(See previous section)
After a successful career as an academic physician, I returned to school to train as a traditional goldsmith more than 10 years ago. Not to work for someone else but to become an independent jewelry artist. Coming from a family filled with creative talents, I had experimented with many art forms prior to metal arts. No medium quite fit like jewelry design. It’s tedious and sometimes truly frustrating but it fulfills my creative bent. As in medicine, it demands critical thinking to combine technical options with innovative design challenges to produce a thing of beauty that all works together. I believe that underlying creative effort appears in my products and brand and is appreciated by my customers. In addition to my own creations, I collaborate with clients to formulate custom designs they have ideas about. These may be repurposing old jewelry or a memorable object or using a gemstone they want to set. Working to discover the client’s essence in the design truly fits with my mission.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Since beginning this journey more than 10 years ago , I have been challenging by winding down my previous professional career and navigating into unfamiliar territory. I had to learn about the jewelry arts industry and discover how best I could complete given my defining mission. I had business experience in health care but had to build a contingent of art colleagues and vendors to move forward. Life challenges and several moves slowed the progress. Moving to the Atlanta area 2 years ago landed me into a center of metalsmiths that has been so inspiring. I’m a member and on the board of the Metal Arts Guild of Georgia which has given me much energy and new ideas to grow my business. Mastering the art show and social media marketing scenes remains a learning curve. As I have continued to self-learn new techniques and master new skills through master classes, I am confident I have a path to improved success. I have never been afraid to risk early adoption of new and different, a strategy that keeps me motivated.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

In my medical career, I was a leader but always in collaboration with a skilled team working together for our patients’ best outcome. The art world is collaborative but also highly competitive. It difficult to create a brand and business that breaks through. Colleagues and connections are extremely important and finding the right ones may be challenging. Humility, collaboration, and working outside the box are key attributes to success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jazzygemsstudio.com
• Instagram: jazzy_gems_studio
• Facebook: Jazzy Gems Studio
• Other:
  JazzyGemsDesigns @Etsy.ccom