Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Keira Masters. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Keira, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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?
I am a self-taught metalsmith, so my process of learning the craft has been one of trial and error. It has probably taken me longer to get where I am now because of this, but I do think there were some advantages to learning this way, and to be honest, hands-on experimentation is really what works best for me. Because I didn’t take a traditional metalsmithing class, I think I’ve been more open to experimenting with unique designs and exploring my own creative process rather than rigidly adhering to the methods taught by others. Sometimes we learn to do things in a certain way that we are taught, and then it can be difficult to break free of that to develop our own unique techniques. That being said, I have had a lot of pieces that I worked on for hours that I had to scrap in the end because of melted metal or popped bezels, or pendants so caked with extra solder that I spent more time sanding and filing it away than creating it in the first place. When I decided to transition from wire wrapping to metalsmithing, I had my torch and soldering station set up for months before I got the nerve to light it. The torch can be intimidating at first. Taking an introductory course would likely have helped with this, and with learning basic safety protocols. Knowing what I know now, I would have taken at least one metalsmithing course, just to learn the basics. I signed up for a metalsmithing class almost 20 years ago, but never went. I had all kinds of excuses at the time as to why I backed out of it. Although now, I’m convinced I was just overwhelmed by the unfamiliar situation and being completely naïve about the process. Leaving my comfort zone has always been an obstacle for me, one that I need to overcome daily while promoting and selling my work to people online, in stores, and at in-person events. When I make something, I put so much of myself into it, and sending little bits and pieces of yourself out for the world to see can be daunting. But in the end, I think the most essential part of learning the craft is applying my own voice to my work, and having the confidence to put myself out there in a way that allows others to connect with what I’m creating. Metalsmithing is a craft that anyone with the desire and patience can learn. I think that to truly do it well, to create something powerful and moving, one needs to combine technical skill with an authentic expression of their own imagination.
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?
My name is Keira Masters, and I am the one-woman-show behind Keira Shine Jewelry. I live in the mountains of Montana where I create artisan metalwork jewelry using mixed metals, gemstones, minerals, and fossils. I started making jewelry because of my love of natural materials and a desire to take those natural elements and transform them into wearable art. For as long as I can remember, I have been creating things. I love to work with my hands, and nothing makes me feel more connected to the universe and to my truest self than to be emersed in the creative flow. I value fashion and jewelry as a form of self-expression, but mainstream, mass-produced products have never appealed to me, so I started making my own. It began over 20 years ago when I was given the most beautiful piece of chalcopyrite. I immediately knew I wanted to turn it into jewelry. So, I bought some cheap wire and made my first wire wrapped pendant. It was hideous but I loved it, I wore it, and it still hangs in my studio to this day. I was hooked on making jewelry from that day forward. I moved on to metalsmithing about 7 years ago. Learning the ancient technique of smithing has opened so many creative opportunities and allowed me to produce unique and complex jewelry pieces that can be passed down for generations. I view jewelry as an outer expression of our inner selves. In seeking to reflect the complexity of individuals, I try to blend both feminine and masculine energies into one piece by pairing contrasting features like faceted stones with an aged patina finish or raw stones with polished metal. My creative process is somewhat spontaneous. I rarely sketch out designs before starting the jewelry, but if I do, I rarely stick to my original sketch. I like to sit with the stones and metal, and really open myself up to what comes through. I have to feel the materials in my hands and see how the lines and shapes come together to complement each other in a way that makes the final piece something powerful. Sometimes, when I have finished working on something for hours, it’s almost a surprise to see what I’ve created, like I was just a conduit for something that was always going to be brought into being, and that is a very gratifying feeling. It is even more fulfilling when I see others connect to the pieces I have made, putting on a piece of jewelry I’ve created, and lighting up like it was made just for them. My jewelry is inspired by the natural world and ancient symbolism. Each piece creates a connection between the earth and our inner selves, and to the oneness of past, present, and future, with the intention of inspiring each person to shine with their own power.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I’ve had to reconsider how I value my work because of a false perception that handmade items aren’t worth the money when mass-produced items can be found cheaper somewhere else. It has taken me years to get to a place where I am confident in pricing my jewelry at a level that reflects the novelty of these works, my time spent making them, the materials used, the tools purchased, and the investment I’ve made in developing the skills needed to produce them. In a world where you can buy any cheap, off-the-rack item that is on-trend but substandard, it’s easy to fall into the mental trap of thinking I have to compete with those products, especially when not everyone finds the value in quality handmade items. And while there will always be people who scoff at an artist’s prices, or mumble under their breath “I could make that myself,” there are plenty of others who deeply respect all that goes into handcrafted items. Several years ago, I had a beautiful necklace that wasn’t selling, even though almost every person who came into my vendor booth would pick it up and look at it. I was offering it at a relatively low price, just above the value of the materials. One day, as an experiment, I decided to mark it up, doubling the price from where it was originally listed… and it sold immediately. Lesson learned (or rather, old lesson unlearned).
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The ultimate goal driving my creative journey is connection. It begins with connecting to the magic of the earth’s materials, collective wisdom, my own intuition, and to the larger pool of creative energy that’s accessible to all. My mission is to tap into this so I can create meaningful pieces of jewelry that speak to people and empower them. I’ve heard many beautiful stories from customers about how they connect with my work, how a certain piece helped them heal after loss, how it symbolized a special memory or person, or how they wore a pair of earrings I made when they needed to channel their inner strength during a difficult situation. Every time I hear stories like these or see the glow radiating from a person when they put on a piece of jewelry I’ve made, I am reminded of the power of our connections and the impact we can have just by doing what we love to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.keirashinejewelry.com
- Instagram: @keirashinejewelry
- Facebook: facebook.com/keirashine