unique metal art jewelry designed for the adventurous woman

Let's meet Cyndie Smith and what she says about her journey that lead her to design jewelry designed for the adventurous woman.


I currently live in Florida, near Tampa Bay. However, my father was a military attache, and I spent most of my life, including a portion of my adulthood, in Europe and the Middle and Far East. I've never lost my wanderlust, which may be why, as National Director of Sales and Marketing for a large healthcare corporation, I traveled outside of Florida five days a week for many years. I finally gave it up in 2003 to pursue my dream. I started with classes that same year and never looked back.

In September of 2007, I opened my first on line store, allowing me to show off my creations to someone besides my husband and friends. I prefer to make one of a kind designs, mostly of an organic nature. When asked to replicate a design, I never make it an exact duplicate, so the wearer can feel that he or she has something truly unique.

I am a professional artist. Since opening my first store, it has been my only job, apart from that of wife, daughter, mother, and now - grandmother.
I'm a self taught computer nerd. Probably if I'd been born of another generation, I would have chosen digital imagery or digital art in one form or another as a career. I own two computers and a Blackberry and though I still struggle with it, the majority of my marketing is done on line. The advent of social networking has opened many doors and I do gallery shows and a small amount of paid advertising. I've found the best source of marketing is word of mouth. A happy customer almost always refers friends and family! If I was to give any advice to fellow artists, it would be to make sure the product is good and the customer service even better.

I think growing up in the diplomatic service influenced me greatly. Not so much the type of art I produce, but more my tolerance of the differences in people. I see fellow artists as comrades rather than competition. I freely share what I know and appreciate others who do the same. United, we can teach the world about art and share the beauty. It doesn't matter what the craft or medium is, if it took a creative mind to design it, it's worth sharing.

I think the most inspiration I've received came with the death of a very dear friend, much before her time. It inspired my "life" series, which I dedicated to her. My avatar on Etsy is the first from the series. I've actually taken the listing off the site for a while, and the story that went with it, because in the course of 6 months after listing it for the first time, I had (and made) 49 requests for variations of it, including one for each of her two sisters. Each request wanted their story told of triumphs and losses. It took an emotional toll on me..I may relist it eventually, but I think it's run it's course for me. I do still produce additions to the series, but not as frequently as before.

I don't really think of myself as a jeweler. I'm a metalsmith who loves to make art...and usually it's wearable. I'm hoping to spend this year developing some new skills, such as glasswork and enameling, to incorporate into my metalwork. I'd also like to try my hand at some larger pieces, like metal sculpture and wall hangings.
I'm a book junky with an extensive library...and I read them all. If someone is starting out, I would highly recommend "The Complete Metalsmith" by Tim McCreight. His revised edition has helped me tremendously.

Lastly, if given the opportunity to speak, not just to artists, but to anyone who'd listen, I'd say "Follow your passion!" If it's not fun, and something you love, it will show in your work.

Thanks so much Cat, you're a peach!

Her site and blog http://www.cyndiesmithdesigns.etsy.com http://www.cyndiesmithdesigns.blogspot.com

Etsy frontpage

What a nice day, Etsy 's website administrators have selected my Belle Blum Ring to be featured on their frontpage

Thank you to ElementsbyDawn, for her tasteful choices

:)

Thanks to alorinna for supplying the picture

New feature

A feature about my work by Becki of Beckisdesigns
http://beckisdesigns.blogspot.com/2007/10/etsy-store-featured-artists-kalicat.html

Soleil de Minuit - FSOJ week 35

Fire and Ice / Midnight Fire

Midnight Fire was inspired by the cool light that emanates from planets in the sky, at night. I used Cultured pearls for the light and 18k yellow Gold for the Fire

Domino Ring - Week 34

Smoldering Embers / From Fire to Ashes

From Fire to Ashes... An 18K Yellow gold ring with black and white diamonds. Black diamonds for the ashes, and white Sparkles for the Fire

FSOJ - week 31 - Volcanic / Vulcan's Forge

And Vulcan created...


Volcanic / Vulcan's Forge

... Car c'est en forgeant qu'on devient Forgeron.

Metal - Fire - Water - Pickle - Fire - Solder - hand sawn - Fire - Annealed - Formed - Forged - Butterfly

FSOJ - Week 29 - Bronze Beauty / Mercury Rising

In Roman mythology Mercury is the god of commerce, travel and thievery, the Roman counterpart of the Greek god Hermes, the messenger of the Gods. The planet probably received this name because it moves so quickly across the sky.

Bronze Beauty / Mercury Rising
Bubble im Orbit
I did not have any bronze around, therefore, I settled for Mercury Rising Theme. I used Sterling Silver. The planet I created is an organic planet, conscious of its resources. I forged the metal into domes after embossing leaves in its texture.

A bit like Jupiter, there is a "ring" around my planet, which is fixed with soldier, That contains Mercury :), a bit like the line of the horizon.

I oxydised the globe, and then polished it, in order to show the skeleton at its maximum.

FSOJ - Week 28 - Phoenix and Dragons

For this week's theme, I hav ecreated a pair of sterling silver earrings.

The Phoenix is a bird of Fire, which I symbolise with faceted Red Fire Beads, in the shape of drops, like blood, to which I have added dragons eggs as lustrous white freshwater pearls.

They hang from a sterling silver chain made of round and flat links of about 1 cms each.