Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jen Leddy Barnes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jen, 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 was first introduced to metalsmithing while studying abroad in Florence, Italy. I was hooked immediately, which led to me chasing learning opportunities in three ways – classes, self-training and the experience of building my business itself. I pursued jewelry via an internship while also starting to produce my own work and selling it. I spent several of the early years without instruction where I used the skills I had, and taught myself things by trial and error, with the limited resources available to me at the time. I knew I required more technical training to get to the next level, so I moved to San Francisco and started taking classes at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. There, I was juggling classes, restaurant work full time, and my nascent business until I went full time in 2014.

At different times throughout my business, there have been different critical skills that allowed me to grow my business:
1) Technical training at Revere giving me a strong and balanced foundation and simultaneously connecting me to a community which to this day has been an invaluable part of my career.
2) Willingness to try things beyond my comfort zone, forcing me to challenge myself constantly.
3) Business basics that were ever-developing and improving – accounting, communication skills, and organization,

My approach took me on a longer, windier road than most. That itself could have been an obstacle, but I think it was actually a choice that I didn’t realize I was making or that I even had. In turn, my learning process could potentially have been expedited by taking a more direct path: taking all the classes first, both in craft and business; apprenticing for someone else, learning the ropes and more skills; building a business plan; launching the business. The need to work full time to make a living definitely contributed to the lengthier process. I think in any entrepreneurial business there is a point in which finances become the biggest obstacle. However, in many ways I appreciate and I am proud of the fact that I built my business with hard work, determination, and in a completely organic and unique way.

Jen, 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?

From a young age I was drawn to the creation of tiny things. That blossomed into a love of arts and crafts, and then focused into the medium of clay – building both functional and sculptural ceramics. Subsequently, an introductory metalsmithing class in Florence, Italy in 2007, ignited my path into jewelry making. I discovered an ideal combination of skill driven craft, small scale, technical hand-fabrication, paired with undeniable function – jewelry is wearable art.

After returning to college in Boulder, CO, my next dive into the jewelry industry was through a college internship. Then, for several years back in my hometown of Aspen, CO, I worked in restaurants while making and selling my work however and wherever I could. Requiring more technical skill, I transplanted to San Francisco for almost 7 years, continuing my jewelry training at Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. By tackling custom work, I also furthered my education in a self-driven approach by learning new skills as they became necessary to create the designs I was inspired to build. The business organically grew one customer and one retail account at a time, from Boulder/Aspen to San Francisco, and in 2018 to Austin, TX, where I currently live with my husband and kitty cats.

Handcrafted using traditional goldsmithing techniques, Jen Leddy Studios’ jewelry is made from recycled precious metals and responsibly sourced stones. My design encompasses a modern, minimalist approach, beauty in simplicity, and old world craftsmanship with nods to vintage and art deco aesthetics. The jewelry from each collection is made to be layered and stacked, to be combined with, and become a staple in, one’s growing personal collection. Specializing in custom design and repurposing, I balance my work load with production collections, bridal and engagement rings, and one-of-a-kind custom pieces that are truly sentimental. A key foundational value in my work and studio is championing sustainable and earth-friendly practices – from the SCS certified metal to solar powered energy. Making and designing with both history and future generations in mind, I hand-fabricate, set, and finish all my jewelry in house, from my private studio.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

My customers’ enjoyment and appreciation of the work. When the design, craftsmanship, and sentiment of the jewelry I make resonants with people, it is full circle satisfaction. There’s nothing better than an ecstatic customer when they see their final custom piece in person. Or a kind thank you note from a customer who shares how much a piece of mine means to them. Bringing to life something beautiful that evokes an emotional or sentimental reaction from a customer is truly priceless.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

There are SO many resources now that are available online that weren’t early in my career. It’s incredible what access we have for at-home educational purposes. Social media accounts, consultants specializing in jewelry businesses, webinars for EVERYTHING, You-Tube videos on EVERYTHING. The list goes on. But it can also be overwhelming. I think it’s important not to get trapped in the always-trying-to-learn-more phase without a willingness to get out there and start something. Connecting in person to a local community, being vulnerable and being prepared to and okay with making mistakes are still crucial in my perspective. But dang, so much is at our fingertips and it’s so helpful!

Contact Info:

• Website: jenleddy.com
• Instagram: @jenleddystudios
• Facebook: facebook.com/jenleddystudios
• Linkedin: @jenleddystudios

Image credit:
Last two photos
Photos = Julia Soniat Photography
Models = Marine Barian & Sofina Bassett
Hair & Makeup = Selma Sosa