We recently connected with Anita Roelz and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Anita thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I have been a self supporting, full time metalsmith since 2012. When I first started my metalsmith journey I owned a gallery with my partner who was a muralist and painter. We had a successful art driven business since 1996 and I was the half of the business that worked on the supportive part of the entity. I gathered reference and design inspiration (I had an intuitive design ability not yet realized in my own craft) as well as all of the mechanical parts of the business. Together we forged a creative endeavor that was successful in projects from Arizona to New England.

In 2009 my partner became ill and I decided that it was my turn to become the driving force to support her in her health journey. That perpetuated taking over the roll of primary income earner and since we still owned our gallery I had the venue to expose myself. I had decided to take a beginner intensive metals course at Maine College of Art. I had decided that the inspiring nature of where I lived in Maine and its beaches full of tumbled stones was my focus.

With a basic knowledge of how metals were manipulated I took my skills further by pushing myself to learn techniques on my own. I developed an entire line of hand forged jewelry using hammers that I myself created. Teaching myself to use these hammers to creative textures in silver and to compliment the beach stones I had gathered was the basis for my designs.

I began selling these pieces in our gallery and started participating in shows as well. After 3 years of being tied to a retail location in 2012 we sold the gallery and I was free to travel and participate in more events and shows all over New England. My work continued to evolve into rugged silver textured work that would stand the test of time, wearable pieces for everyday with elemental structure.

When I look back on my journey it was essentially a necessity that I find something when my partner became ill in order to support us. Having been involved in a creative venture with her for so many years gave me the springboard into realizing the possibility of trusting in myself and my skills to take the reins.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started making jewelry in my 20’s when I first had my children. I used sea glass and pebbles from the beaches and wire wrapped them. I loved being creative, but mostly I loved being on the coast and combing for treasures. It was only a hobby but the process intrigued me. Later in life I had exposure to fine jewelry and gems when I lived in Arizona when my partner who was part of a high end art show for years. I met amazing creative people over that 5 year period and when I was ready to explore my own creative endeavors again I decided that moving metals with hammers and making a rugged form of jewelry was my desire. My fascination with stones in both rugged forms from the coast as well as polished fine gems were both inspiring and a desirable complement to my style of work.

The key to my work is it’s rugged structures and it’s elemental in style. It was always my belief that if I made work that resonated and appealed to me that others would find it interesting. I pride myself in work that has its own voice, rich in textures and not intended for a specific audience but in many ways great to be worn every day and even everywhere. I also wanted to make pieces that looked great worn alone or stacked and layered with other jewelry. I felt that we all had quite a bit of things collected or gifted over the years and layering them together is a great way to show your own creative spirit. No rules just jewelry that feels good!

There is nothing better than being out and about and seeing my work being worn by someone and sharing stories about my work. I find that once someone has added a piece of mine to their collection they continue to add other pieces. There is so much joy working hand in hand with someone to help them find just the right piece. Whether it’s a piece in inventory or a custom designed creation, having a happy client is the best feeling there is!!

If I had to speak about the pride I have in my work, I feel as though my bracelet game is big! I love to make cuffs and bangles for everyone People come in all shapes and sizes and custom fitting a cuff for someone who hasn’t the vaguest idea of how it should fit is awesome! I have a way to communicate with folks about the process and that makes it a great fit possible.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I think that allowing yourself to just play creatively is something I wish I had done more of when I first started making. When I needed to shift to creating income from my work I had a difficult time balancing creative endeavors from the money making ones. I also never took enough time to replenish my creative well. Pushing a bit too hard from a business sense which I think stifled some of the creative risks I could have been taking.

Later in my career I discovered that I could be equally creative and productive if I gave myself time to breathe and enjoy a bit of life and not push so hard.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think the most difficult part of being a creative and being self employed is that all of the work falls on you. All aspects of creating and business require quite a bit of time not to mention how much time social media can take. Being successful means accomplishing what you can, outsourcing where you can and realizing when the best time is to take care of the most important self care needs so you have the energy to move forward.

I do quite a bit of art and fine craft shows and the events are grueling at times. Set ups are physical, weather is unpredictable and all of the juried shows require planning many months in advance. Many don’t realize that you have to apply and be accepted so you are constantly being judged by your work. It’s sobering to be rejected and hard not to take that kind of feeling to heart. Having a great group of supportive friends is a must to get through!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://circlestonedesigns.com/
• Instagram: @anitaroelz.metalsmith
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anita.roelz

Image Credits
Anita Roelz Ashley Lockwood Pamela Creamer Jimmy ienner Jr.