We recently connected with Anne Bivens and have shared our conversation below.

Anne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was a young girl, my parents blessed my sister and me with summer camp in the mountains of North Carolina. This camp, Rockbrook Camp for Girls, had two wonderful craft cottages that taught a variety of crafts; underwater basket making, weaving on a loom, pottery on a foot-operated wheel, and even enameling on copper. One summer, I even sawed out and fabricated a silver ring. I participated in all the outdoor adventures as well as the crafts, but while creating in the craft cottages, I was in my happiest place. I’ve always been drawn to working with my hands, but did not get involved in making silver jewelry until, I “got up the nerve” to enroll in a beginning level silversmithing class at John C. Campbell Folk School, over 20 years ago. Since that time I have taken everything I could that applied to making silver jewelry, and still take workshops when there’s something new to learn. In fact, I am enrolled in 3 workshops this fall in the mountains of North Carolina and Georgia.

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 make one of a kind pieces of sterling silver or mixed metal jewelry, that often incorporates natural stones of many varieties. I got started about 23 years ago when I taught myself how to make bracelets from a variety of vintage, glass, and silver beads. From there, I attained Senior Certification in metal clay from Art Clay World of America. Silver clay is unique medium consisting of micro grains of silver, extracted from old x-rays combined with organic binders. When fired at high temperatures in a kiln, the binders burn out, leaving a pure silver piece, 10% smaller but perfectly proportional to the pre-fired piece. From silver clay, I transitioned into traditional silversmithing, taking several classes and or workshops every year. I have been immersed in this medium now for over 20 years, and I’m still learning.

When incorporating stones into my pieces, I try to let the stone or stones, dictate the overall design; I refer to it as designing from the stone. All of my pieces are original and one of a kind. I also do custom work for clients and try to work their designs into jewelry that reflects their ideas. It becomes a collaborative effort. Many of my pieces include turquoise because turquoise is one of my favorite stones, there are so many beautiful varieties. I am a perpetual learner, and am always taking classes and workshops. In fact, this fall, I will be taking 3 workshops to learn new techniques and to hone my skills.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a jewelry artist is creating a wearable piece of art that speaks to another person. It pleases me to no end, to have a client love a piece that I’ve created; for a person I know, and others that I hear about through a gallery owner that he or she loves a particular piece of jewelry. I guess that’s why I create. My husband told me a long time ago, “Anne, you better learn how to sell because you can’t wear it all.”

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I hear all the time, “I’m just not creative; I could never do what you do.” That’s really not necessarily true.

In addition to making jewelry, I also teach silversmithing in my studio. I make sure that each of my students successfully completes his or her projects. I learned silversmithing in classes of 10+ students. The teachers would demo a technique then set us loose. Most of us were scratching our heads, wondering what to do. It took courage to take my first classes in silversmithing, but I convinced myself that I had to start somewhere, and if other people could learn this skill, so could I. I want my students to realize that they too can learn the skill and art of silversmithing, just like I did; however, I want to be there by their sides to help them along the way. Instead of learning by trial and error, I want my students to benefit from my experience. That way, I know that my students will experience success and the confidence to continue. Never think that you’re not creative- you just need someone to guide you along the way; that’s why I am always looking for master silversmiths to teach me new skills and techniques.

Contact Info:

• Website: AnneBivensJewelry.com
• Instagram: annebivensjewelrysc
• Facebook: Anne Bivens

Image Credits
All are my original photos.