We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kim Nelander a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kim thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
My creative streak goes way back. When I am not making jewelry, I am thinking about making jewelry. I am inspired continuously. Sometimes just running outside an idea will pop into my head of something I must make. I do however also have a real job, 30 years this year as a flight attendant. Yeesh. I guess that means I like it. I cannot have one without the other. Pressure of not having enough inventory and being forced to create by the next show is not as easy as it seems. My real job allows me to step out of mind and home for a few days (especially Maui) brings more inspiration to flow.
Kim, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a native AZ and grew up back packing with my Dad. Being an only child, I had to fill the roles of both son and daughter. I loved the outdoors, everything from the desert to the magical woods. This love led to the collecting of all things outdoors especially rocks. Dad bought me a rock saw combo grinding unit in my late teens. I was captivated sawing through geodes and shaping and polishing stones. It was just a few years later that I complimented a friend on his silver ring. He told me he made it and took it off and put it in my hands. I signed myself up for the next silver smithing class at the local parks and rec and then proceeded spending 6 weeks creating the ugliest ring known to man, but the hook had been set. I continued to play on my own using my Dad’s oxygen acetylene torch and a fire brick. Tons of trial and error…..mostly error in those days. I pushed on making jewelry (maybe just as an excuse to hoard gemstones). I started showing at a few lower brow shows, craft markets and yearly at a boutique which I hosted at my home. It was here that I met (a now dear friend) that encouraged me to “take that next step” and get my business license to get into more prestigious shows. Wow, was that scary!
I am proud to say that that was 9 years ago and it was the best and most rewarding decision! I have met so many amazing people and made life long friends. Shows are still a humbling experience for me, to sell something that I have lovingly made that is going to be given as a gift or a treat for themselves is what I thrive on. I feel so blessed and grateful for the support and attention. I never dreamed how amazing this journey would be.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
My creative journey started long before the internet and you tube videos and tutorials. I had to figure it out on my own, the hard way, sometimes over and over! There is a wealth of information and resources out there. I still look for ways to do things better, become more efficient and take my pieces to a higher level. On the flip side of this double edged sword is constantly comparing my work with others. There are some seriously talented people out there and I have found myself comparing myself to the best of the best. That is when I need to reel myself in and look at how far I have come.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I still really do not view myself as an artist. Musicians, sculptors and painters seem so much more glamorous than a jeweler. I am a dreamy creative all the way! I enjoy the process of pushing stones around waiting for the right combination or vision to speak. There is always another combination, another texture to evolve for a different effect. Thankfully, the stones are really the Art From the Heavens. I just create the showcase for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: kimsgemz.etsy.com
- Instagram: @kimsgemz
- Facebook: facebook.com/kimsgemz