We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Olivia Boi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Olivia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I took an intro to smithing class in 2017 at Metalwerx in Waltham. After that I am self taught through trial and error. You can never know it all in this craft- there is always more to master. The intro class was really helpful to learn all the science and math behind the process of making jewelry. I also learned the basics of soldering and then after applied that in all sorts of ways in my home studio once I was able to gain confidence to work at home, with fire…
Olivia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Olivia Boi, I am the owner and creator of Strong Moon Metals. A few years after graduating with my Bachelor of Fine Arts, I took an introduction to smithing class at Metalwerx in Waltham, MA and the rest was history.. I started Strong Moon Metals December 2018 and have not looked back ever since. I create jewelry at my home and metals studio in Maine. Sterling silver, brass, and beautifully cut stones are the bread and butter to my practice. You can find more of her work on her website, or in person at local shows around the Portland area. Instagram: @strongmoonmetals
Website: Strongmoonmetals.com
I also recently started a pop-up makers market based in Maine- named The Rebel Market.
You can find more about the market on our Instagram @Therebelmarketmaine
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I am disabled with several vascular compression syndromes. connective tissue disorders, EDS, POTS, Chronic Fatigue and the slew of co- morbidity illnesses goes on. Making jewelry has been the outlet that saved me from risking it all and droping out of life. I have had 10 surgeries over the last 3 years- mostly vascular surgeries. I had a bypass from my Heart to my Kidney to help resolve my condition and it failed. I then had to go to a hospital regularly out of state and travel for treatments and surgeries and driving back across state-lines with my wife the same day. In Nov 2021 I had a Auto Transplant surgery and an undo of my bypass surgery- it took 10 hours and it was the hardest time in my life. My aorta had the bypass removed and they put a graft there. I have 30 inch scar down the middle of my abdomen and another slash over my right pelvis. I had my kidney removed and put back into my pelvis and reconnected everything back together to function better. The conditions I have are Nutcracker Syndrome & May Thurners Syndrome. Really rare- you should look them up. But I am basically a human Frankenstein and a fucking badass.
Being disabled and enduring all of the experiences I have, has led me down a dark void to depression, and horrible PTSD. Making jewelry has allowed me to connect to my soul and feel grounded when everything around me was out of control. It has been my way to pour heavy emotions into metal- in an alchemical sense, sadness turns into wearable art as protection. Colorful hand-cut stones set in sterling silver. I become so gratified through the process of making something people can cherish, from a sheet of metal and strands of wire.
Soldering is my favorite part of the process because everything becomes permanent. To watch what you envision come to life in a day through cutting, soldering metals together is extremely liberating to me. It makes me feel like I can achieve anything.
I create one of a kind pieces that are all unique in their own- I have been working with the Zodiac as of July- trying to keep up with the ever changing seasons of the wheel. I just finished Sagittarius and the stones choices were super bold. I reccomend you take a look !
Strongmoonmetals.com
My work is a bit organic in itself- I am inspired by archaic jewelry- and my Sardinian roots. I yearn to create ritual ornaments for the wearer to pass down through generations. I think I was born on this planet as a very sensitive human who would endure lots of heart wrenching moments in life and I was lucky enough to be able to find my talent, and consciously progress to become the best as I possibly can be. At a slowly evolving pace that is comfortable to me- of course.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I started my instagram and facebook over 5 years ago and I have slowly acquired more of a following by posting consistently. I try to document my days in the studio on my camera- and then use that content for a few weeks worth of posting. I work in collections- making more than at least 10 pieces at a time- so I try to snap photos of the details through each step and process. Bezel making, soldering, sawing out, more soldering, shaping metals, hammering metals, sanding and cleaning up, stone choices, stone setting and of course the finished product. It has been quite a bit to keep up with it all myself- but I have been doing it.
I have been able to connect with incredibly talented metalsmith folks from all around the world. It feels good to learn from one another and watch each other grow over the years. I recently started doing boosted ads and I think it does help a bit- I am not too worried about becoming instagram famous. I think my path in life is a slow and steady sorta one- kinda like a turtle climbing up a hill.
Contact Info:
- Website: Strongmoonmetals.com
- Instagram: Strongmoonmetals
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Strongmoonmetals/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-boi-2a6a4335/
Image Credits
Photos were taken myself- Sagittarius Collection- Rosarita, Malachite, Tigers Eye, Turquoise & Sterling Silver Libra Collection – Rose Quartz, Citrine, Kyanite, Amazonite & More Sterling Silver Cancer Collection – Moonstone and Rose Quartz & Sterling Silver