Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erika-Rae Griffin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Erika-Rae, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Jewelry can be an expensive trade and I wanted to do it right. It’s also the kind of trade that can take you down many rabbit holes. The more you learn, you realize that theres so much more that you don’t know, and you can go into so many different directions as a jeweler. I actually started off thinking that I might just find a vendor and outsource some pieces, but the artist in me wouldn’t let me do it. As soon as I started researching the type of jewelry I wanted to sell I thought “I can do that!”. So my first lessons were through YouTube and Domestika. I purchased my first bench pin and jewelers saw on Amazon, a brass sheet from Etsy. and a dremel and brass polish from the hardware store. Finances were an obstacle at the time, but knowing what I know now, the learning process would have been a lot easier if I would have just bought the proper tools up front. A dremel is nice, but it doesn’t have the speed and functionality to consistently make jewelry the way I wanted to. There’s been more than one time I’ve had to pivot and go back to work just to be able to afford this trade. I took a year and a half off to work full time, which now I feel was a great decision. While I wasn’t creating and at the time and felt disconnected from my craft. I was able to afford a flex shaft and other proper tools and materials and take a few soldering and stone setting classes. The time off from my brand gave me the freedom to mess around and experiment with different processes without the pressure of my pieces needing to be good enough to sell. By the time I got back to jewelry, having the correct tools and the foundation of the classes I took felt like a game changer.

Erika-Rae, 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?

My name is Erika Rae. I am a Cincinnati, Ohio based Jewelry Artist, and the owner of Create or Conform where I create and sell culturally inspired jewelry, clothing and home decor.

I have always been a creative and interested in many different ways of creative expression, but my interest in jewelry in particular started with my Aunt. My mother’s sister was a creative and I grew up going with her to craft and bead shows and seeing her make beautiful wire wrapped pieces. I was already on a creative path before her passing, but after she passed I felt like I really wish we had worked on some jewelry together, or at least that I would have learned some things from her. Because of this, jewelry has become the biggest part of my brand today.

I put a lot of time and energy into learning metalsmithing and I take my craft seriously.
I work hard to have my hand in every step of the process – from design to execution I am a one woman show. My designs are inspired by my own personal style, my love of ancient adornments and the energy of women that I admire. I love eye catching, statement pieces. I think there’s something quietly confident about good pair of statement earrings. It’s like the jewelry is conveying a message about you before you even speak.

What I’d like people to know about Create or Conform is that it’s really about more than just jewelry and the other items that I sell. At its core it’s about creating your own life through your passion – whatever that may be. Mine is making. For me, there is something almost magical about taking raw materials and creating something new. Create or Conform was born out of an innate need to do just that. I was completely unfulfilled and disconnected from the work I was doing at the time and I kept having this nagging feeling that I need to be doing something productive with my creative energy. The phrase Create or Conform kept coming to me and it felt like a decision I had to make. Either create my own life by following my passion and literally creating and making and working with my hands or conform to someone else’s vision. I’d like my brand to be an inspiration for others to take on that ideology in their own lives – that you literally have the power to create the life that you want.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think a lot about how makers like me and other small businesses can compete in the era of fast fashion and during a time where it feels like everything is so easily accessible. There have been countless instances where I’ve seen work similar to artists that I know or follow online in big retailers for significantly less than what those artists charge. A lot of our designs are being used for inspiration or being stolen outright and produced faster, with lower quality, lacking the passion that was behind the original design. It’s discouraging because I don’t know how much the average consumer cares about the industry behind the product they’re receiving. Even as a creative, I’ve been tempted to purchase these lower priced options so I can only imagine that there’s no internal conflict for someone who is unaware. I think a big way to combat this dilemma is to continue to educate consumers. When you decide to buy fast fashion you’re supporting an industry that depends on low quality materials and workers who are severely underpaid. As artists, I know that our work can sometimes be costly, however our prices are based on the time we’ve taken to learn and improve our craft, along with any materials needed to bring our vision to life. I would encourage consumers to shop consciously. Shop small or local when possible and make an effort to support artists and businesses that you truly believe in. By doing this, you are directly supporting a persons passion, business and family, along with encouraging them to keep doing what they do, which I feel creates a more fulfilling experience on both ends.

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

I love doing markets. I love energy of it all. I love being among other creatives and meeting other makers. I love seeing people have a physical reaction to my work. The interest on their faces while reading the story behind my shirt designs, or seeing their face light up as they try on a pair of earrings. Having someone purchase and wear something I’ve made is such a gratifying experience that never gets old. It’s like a little confirmation that I’m on the right path and that my work is valued and appreciated.

Contact Info:

• Website: createorconform.etsy.com
• Instagram: @create.or.conform