We recently connected with Amy Hassett and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

It all started when I took a metal smithing class, in the basement studio of a masterful, patient, wise, generous Metal Smith Teacher in my small town of Hood River, Oregon. I discovered his classes on social media, and it seemed like a good place to explore art, get out of my head, and try something new. It was soon after the most extreme of Covid times, when people were permitted to venture out with masks. It was a time when every day life of the world as we knew it seemed to overnight turn into what felt like the plot of a science fiction movie. Compounding matters, there were impactful and significant events occurring simultaneously in my life that were presenting incredible challenge, loss, and change. It was a transformative time and l liken it to what a gem stone might experience when it is being formed and crystalized deep within the earth from extreme temperatures and immense pressure and as a result crystalizing into something of strength and beauty. It was during this time that the creative expression of jewelry artistry found me.

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?

I am a full time creative and I work as a jewelry artist, as well as a first grade teacher. I also am the mother to two grown sons whom have significantly formed who I am. It all started when I took my first class in the basements studio of a local metal smith artist. It felt like entering an underground portal where time disappeared and old world wisdom and ways came forth. I found myself leaving the studio with shifted perception on life and lessons that I learned went far beyond the making of jewelry. My teacher was very patient, extremely encouraging, and generous. He communicated in many catchy, memorable phrases, one of them was his response when I asked him how to do something overwhelmingly difficult, his response was always “it’s nothing but a thing” and then he would proceed to break the task into small, achievable steps. The universe was conspiring in my favor in becoming a jewelry artist, because when I was ready to start working on my own, a chance exchange on ebay from a person selling one tool, ended up sending me a windfall of all the jewelry tools, books, and set up that I needed to build my own home studio. He shipped them from Florida to Oregon and only charged me the cost of shipping. Other miraculous gifts came from my metal smith teacher continuous guidance, classes, and lending me all of the equipment that I did not have. The time which I spend in my home studio is like gifting myself the most a sacred space of creativity, safety, and inspiration that nurtures my spirit and soul. It balances all the other aspects of my life that often feel overly domesticated. I love creating pieces that are subtle and minimalist in design yet powerful statements including rings, cuffs, necklaces, earrings, and prayer beads. My art signifies empowerment, self love, and wholeness.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is expressing my unique experience of being human; the joys, the tragedies, the mysteries and transmuting the intangible into a tangible pieces made from the elements of the earth that can be shared with others and the reward of bringing that beauty forth and it being adorned and appreciated.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe that we all have an artist within, which is best nurtured and supported by carved out space and time to be in nature, to dance, to enjoy music, to be playful, to have quiet time, and to find the beauty anywhere and everywhere. Also, to have reverence for this beautiful earth and all of it’s beings. To give each other permission to make mistakes, be messy, to be comfortable with moments of disorganization and the imperfections, to allow each other to take a pause from the conventional expectations, just to allow new things to arise, new ideas to come forth, new visions and versions, and inspirations. There is an incredible opportunity for schools to support art by giving all students the access to the arts, by investing time and money into art teachers of all kind, and gifting students the opportunity to express themselves through the arts, which I believe aids in transforming suffering into beauty and healing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ahassettstudio.com
• Instagram: @ahassettstudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.hassett.10

Image Credits
Photos were taken by OSO&CO