We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hannah Lee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Metalsmithing is very easy to become passionate about. As I learned different metalsmithing techniques from college courses, the excitement followed me into my free time. Eventually, I did show my creations to friends and family. That was when I knew I could monetize my efforts and pursue metalsmithing professionally.

Hannah, 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?

I am fortunate enough to do metalsmithing full-time. I sell my art over web platforms like Shopify and Etsy, and I also do some custom work. Clients will normally have a genuine idea of a piece of jewelry they want made, and I can make the dream a reality (most of the time). Originality is a key part of my success. I also buy my gemstones from reputable lapidary artists and gem shows.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Participation is probably the most impactful way to support the artist community. When artists/vendors come together to sell and show off products, you can show up to the event and see the face and personality of a business name. You can hang out with friends and family while you browse around, and hopefully you find something to buy that you just couldn’t live without! The same goes for art exhibitions, performances, and other events.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Instagram and Facebook are where I started out. Often at times, it feels like I’m still starting out, but I stick with it and try to stay relevant. I have all my social media listed on my business cards, so when I attend events, everyone I talk to gets a business card so they can possibly shop from me again online. What I’ve also learned is if you begin posting photos of your art online, people will eventually find you. Social media has very fine algorithms. You don’t have to be a professional photographer either, but good clear photos will help!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://anamericanmetalsmith.com
• Instagram: @anamericanmetalsmith
• Facebook: @anamericanmetalsmith