We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Schneiter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.
Hi Laura , thanks for joining 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?
I started making jewelry as early as I can remember, probably around the age of 7. One of my babysitters would bring over materials for us to play with and entertain ourselves, and from that day on I was hooked. I’ve always been the type of person who loves to make things with my hands and so my jewelry making was constantly evolving based on what materials I was into at the time. By my mid 20’s I was still creating jewelry, but started to hit some limitations on the quality and sturdiness of what I was making. I wanted to make something that would last generations and not fall apart in a year or so. And so I decided to use my education award that I earned through an AmeriCorps program to pay for a Metalsmith 101 course at Arapahoe Community College in Denver, CO. It was transformative to learn these skills- I had no idea how complex they were. I developed a newfound appreciation when I saw pieces for sale at $400, finally understanding how many HOURS someone put into making that. From there I joined an artist community called Art Gym Denver, and was exposed to lapidary making equipment. That was a game changer, I was spending so much money on stones that someone else had polished and now I could make my own however I wanted to. That was back in 2016, and my skills have been growing and expanding ever since!
Looking back, it’s hard to believe how long I was learning my craft in total isolation and in a lot of ways stumbling to teach myself with many setbacks and meltdowns along the way. When I finally took an actual class with a knowledgeable instructor, I really learned the value of making art in community. I’ve had so many fellow metalsmith and lapidary friends serve as mentors and advisors when I am feeling stuck, which is not something you can get out of a Google search or YouTube video. The ways in which we inspire each other with our unique styles is so special, we feed off of each other and keep each other going. I would not have gotten as far as I am today without the community I have build around myself, and that has made this venture all the more meaningful.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I was born and raised in Colorado, and now living in Portland, Oregon. My father is from Phoenix, AZ and so my family very much embraces a lot of southwestern aesthetics in my childhood home. Between living in Colorado, and visiting family in New Mexico and Arizona, I was raised with a profound appreciation for Navajo and Zuni jewelry. As a kid, and still to this day, I was inspired by the concept of turning pieces of nature into a sacred object that is meaningful and a source of personal expression. To me, jewelry is so much more than fashion!
I witness a lot of appropriation in my industry of specific indigenous and Native American designs and materials, and so I have spent a lot of time reflecting on this. On one hand I can recognize the appreciation and inspiration that I get from these original sources of my metalsmith craft and the land in which I have a deep connection to, while on the other hand striving to make art that is unique to me and not replicating work from other cultures that are not my own. I am forever in the process of discovering what that means to me- it is a deep personal value of mine to continue building awareness around this.
Something that makes my work special is I add a personal and relational touch to my business. As a mental health therapist by day, I value connection and personal story, which is something I bring into my jewelry craft. Many stones that people bring to me are from a special place that they want to remember. Or I might have a customer who wants to restore a piece of jewelry that has been passed down in their family for generations. When I make a wedding ring, I take the time to meet with my customers and really put my energy and love into those pieces for them. Every piece I make is unique and carries a special message with it. I get frustrated with myself that I can’t mass produce pieces to the level that I see from others, but then I remind myself that being slow and intentional is the type of artist I want to be.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I am seeing a growing trend of artists struggling way more than the ‘starving artist’ trope that has been around for generations. Local galleries, markets and online sales seem to be plummeting and I can feel the collective stress that is going on right now for those who sell art as a way of living. It makes me sad to see this, but I also know it is because almost all of us are feeling deep economic pressure right now. And so I bring this up to say- we can’t let art die. Our economic struggles are going to require massive systemic change, but as consumers we can also shift away from supporting giant corporations that have unethical practices and exploit their workers. If you want a beautiful piece of pottery, go to your local Sunday farmer’s market and get it there, I guarantee you are going to have a better time doing that then searching through page after page online to find the ‘perfect’ piece. If you are able, get outside, touch art and you will know when something speaks to you. Talk to your local artists and show your appreciation, it’s discouraging out there right now and many of us are feeling pessimistic. If you want to remain in a world with vibrancy and originality, you can 100% be a part of keeping that alive in the smallest ways that feel accessible to you.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
As I mentioned before, I am a mental health therapist by day, supporting folks on their recovery journey from substance use and developmental trauma. My jewelry making has always been a creative outlet for me, but now it is essential for my mental health. After a long day of counseling sessions, getting to blast some music and get out of my head and into my body is truly what makes this sustainable for me. Having a creative outlet to pour all of the heaviness into is pure alchemy- I can transform the pain into gold (literally!). Having this in my life means I don’t have to hold it all in and instead I can work it out on the jewelry bench and hammer the stress away. I highly recommend it! I think all of us need something in our lives like that.
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Laura Schneiter