We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Loni Fox. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Loni below.

Loni, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

As a young child I always had a creative side. My parents encouraged me to DIY and craft in many different mediums. Looking back, they probably just wanted to keep me occupied so they made sure there was always something to do. By doing this I was never hesitant to try a new project; never afraid to fail. Early on I became interested in stones. The different varieties and colors just fascinated me and I would spend hours cataloging them by name. On vacations my parents would patiently wait while I dug through every bin to fill my pockets with those tiny bags of treasures. It’s funny because I still have those bags of polished rocks and my father continues to bring me treasures from their trips.

Loni, 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?

In 2015 I was on an date with my (now) husband. We were very early to the opening of a friends art installation so my husband suggested going to a gem and mineral show to kill some time. I don’t know if he thought I wouldn’t be open to the idea, but I was GAME! We ended up digging through all the boxes, comparing amazing stones, and talking about childhood treasures we had once found in the woods. In conversation I casually mentioned I had always wanted to learn silversmithing; but then thought nothing else of the topic. That Christmas he gifted me some basic tools and even located some classes at the Arkansas Art Center. It only took one class and I was hooked! I took as many classes as I could find and watched countless hours of training online. And, of course, a lot of failures.

I began to sell some of my early designs to friends and family as a means to order more tools and practice. Coming up with a business name was the hardest part for me. Most artists go by their birth name to give distinction from others. I felt it wasn’t a proper choice for me. At the time I had a very unique last name; very hard to spell and even harder to say. There was no way anyone would be able to find me on the internet! I eventually came up with the idea of Silver Phoenix Designs in late 2017. I even bartered with other artists for our distinctive business logo.

Of course, I’m often asked how the name came about….what does it mean? Am I originally from Arizona? Nope, I’ve always been from Arkansas! I chose the Phoenix because it’s known in legends as a magical bird constantly being reborn through fire. Emerging from the ashes, radiant and shimmering, to start a beautiful new life. The Phoenix represents the idea that the end is only the beginning. A cycle of beauty; a reinvention of ourselves. Much of the metal used is recycled and all metal scraps are used to create flourishes for other projects. This way very little goes to waste. I thought to myself, what better way to represent the ART of metalsmithing? Bringing ordinary objects back to life by using fire to recreate and intensify nature’s beauty. But asking how the weather is in Arizona is always a decent way to get an introvert like me to talk to people at shows.

My goal has always been to create unique, one-of-a kind pieces that utilize those distinctive stones I grew up loving. I like to allow these stones to speak to me, guiding me to fabricate the metal around them in order to create the piece of art that speaks to you. To me, it’s not just about creating a pretty piece of jewelry. Its about the process of the piece becoming so much more than what materials its made of. It really is a wearable artform.

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

The biggest thing would be to come out and support local art shows! Show up! Filling your walls of your home with mindless pieces from the big box stores doesn’t support the Artist who created that image. Support doesn’t always mean you have to like what the Artist creates. Maybe it’s not your style; doesn’t meet your aesthetic. You can still be nice to one another. Stop, look at their creations and let that art speak for itself. I’ve had some wonderful support throughout the years but sometimes it’s the rude and hateful people whose actions stick the longest. Those small interactions can affect everything. Be nice to those creatives!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I have had to learn to be more patient with myself. It’s a hard lesson for me. I am always pushing my own boundaries; sometimes too soon. I’m realizing a solid foundation is the best for positive growth. And patience is necessary for metalsmithing. Some days the solder won’t flow, and you destroy everything you touch. Those are the days I have learned to walk away and try again tomorrow.
…and to not scrimp on the quality of tools. I love tools but when I was first starting out I thought I needed every tool that existed. It’s like buying that piece of quality jewelry. It can mean the difference of buying something once and being able to pass it down to future generations or having to replace that piece sooner than you want.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.silverphoenixdesigns.com
• Instagram: silverphoenixdesigns_ar
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SilverPhoenixJewels/

Image Credits
Loni Fox all other photos taken by my husband, Travis Fox. No professional credits