We recently connected with Alex Page and have shared our conversation below.
Alex, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I went to school at Appalachian State for Graphic Design. When I studied abroad in Sunderland, England my junior year, I realized Graphic Design might not be my path. I missed the hands on emphasis of other artistic expressions. I was also gathering stones and random found objects I wanted to make my own souvenirs with! When I returned to App in the spring I took my first metalsmithing class and fell in love with the process and possibilities. My metals professor had a background in CAD and other technological aids and encouraged me to incorporate my graphic design background with metals. I learned to cut vinyl from my Illustrator designs and use it as a resist for etching, a guide for sawing, and a blueprint for the entire design. The next semester I became the metal studio’s first shop technician with the responsibilities of monitoring students during work hours and managing daily shop operations. It is difficult to learn metalsmithing without a studio due to the need for a variety of tools. I mostly taught myself after college, slowly building up a studio, until I interned for Heidi Lowe Gallery. I learned a lot about business and more about silver and stone setting to have the confidence to start my own business. I would definitely suggest others to do some kind of internship where you see all the stages of production from ideation to shipping. Also, teaching is the best way to learn as you talk through the process and problem solve.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Alex Page. I am a traveler, graphic designer, aerialist, and metalsmith. I grew up in Raleigh, NC, often baking, sewing, and crafting with my grandmother. She inspired my eventual pursuit of an artistic career. I studied Graphic Design at Appalachian State with an “honorary degree” in metals after finding my passion for the craft my junior year. I discovered my other passion of traveling while studying abroad in Sunderland, England. After graduating, I backpacked Europe for 6 months. I kept a travel notebook full of inspiration from the people and environments I encountered. I returned for a blacksmithing residency at Salem Art Works in Salem, NY, where I began combining my passions, metal and adventure, by creating tools for my future portable studio and jewelry inspired by my trip. In February 2020, the portable studio dream became a reality as I drove across the USA creating out of my minivan. Afterwards, I moved to Delaware to work, teach, and exhibit at Heidi Lowe Gallery.
Finally returning to Raleigh, I started my own business, Al the Rebel. My goal is to continue adventuring through jewelry. I travel the east coast for pole competitions and markets and the world for inspiration often collecting found objects or stones I incorporate or replicate in metal. I also draw much of my inspiration from the human form and aerial sports with the incredible athletes that train their bodies to do such amazing tricks. I design and create handmade jewelry. Everything is made by me, mostly starting in sheet metal and cutting it with a jeweler’s saw. I also take custom orders to create one of a kind bespoke jewelry. You can also make your own jewelry by taking a class with me! Recently, I have expanded to laser products. Using my graphic design background, I cut my Illustrator designs out of acrylic for jewelry or onto keychains, coasters, magnets, mirrors, and LED lights. I also provide these services for custom orders. I currently have work at Showfields: “The Most Interesting Store in the World,” in Miami, FL, at Spare Chayng in Asheville, NC, and at Nature’s ReLeaf in Raleigh, NC. I’ve also had pieces in Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (Blowing Rock, NC), Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts (Boone, NC), Heidi Lowe Gallery (Lewes, DE), Salem Art Works (Sale, NY), Encise Gallery (Barcelona, Spain).
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Walking through old towns in Europe, you can see the details and intentional craft in all parts of the architecture from the cobblestones to the gutters. Humans used to take pride in every part of their labor and create beauty in their external world. If you are a consumer, be intentional in the things you surround yourself with. Commission artists for components of your house that could be ornamented. Give meaningful and personalized gifts locally. Spend time with friends and family wandering popup markets rather than malls. Be weary of purchasing jewelry at big stores like Target. These places take artists’ work and mass produce them, often without their consent. If you are a business owner, search for a local artist with a laser to do your advertisement stock like keychains. You can consign your wall space to artists who fit your business’s purpose or aesthetic. This helps artists connect with their audience and adds another possible source of income. You not only receive commission, but it will also beautify your space and spark important conversation that goes beyond small talk.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I am a perfectionist, which allows my art to be at the standard it is, but being a business owner is not about perfection. It is about seeing what methods are successful and putting your effort into those rather than trying to force success in everything you do. This frees up your energy to brainstorm and attempt new methods that will lead to better results. When I began my business, I thought as an artist I had to go to craft fairs. Unfortunately, this was not my audience. Instead of rethinking my marketing strategy, I forced it over and over again, continuing to be disappointed. I was a slow learner. I did get some better results switching to more alternative markets, but I was ignoring multiple other avenues of sales by seeing markets as my only way to connect to customers. I began reaching out to people in the local and pole community for custom orders and retail space. In my experience these connections have been deeper and usually lead to another contact or a reoccurring order. We have mutual goals and benefit each other as the energy flows, not being wasted by ignoring dead ends.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.altherebel.com
- Instagram: @altherebel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/altherebel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@altherebel
Image Credits
Alex Page