Today we’d like to introduce you to Betsy Gardner.
Betsy, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My story started when I was five years old, on a weekend trip to New Orleans. I was with my grandparents and cousins, and we were walking around the Quarter when I saw the most beautiful cameo ring in the window. I can still remember it, with its yellow gold setting, peachy cameo and diamond accents. My grandmother, who has always had fabulous taste in jewelry – both fine and costume – noticed, and she bought me a cameo piece my following birthday. That really sparked my love… I’m talking I would lobby for fine jewelry as my one Christmas gift beginning as early as 5th grade. I’ve always loved jewelry, and especially the unique story each vintage or custom piece tells.
Fast forward 20 years, and I’m working a great corporate job that I’m not passionate about. I woke up one morning and just decided – I wanted that creative outlet I’d always looked for, whether it was art classes or interior design. That afternoon I asked to go for a walk with someone in the jewelry business who I admired. She told me about her journey through the industry, and counseled me on all the different ways I could get my foot in the world. That next week I signed up for Gemological Institute of America and enrolled in their gemology program. From there, things have started to fall into place, and I landed by first big custom jewelry job: a 10.8 carat emerald and round diamond eternity band.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Jewelry, like all forms of art, is deeply personal and reflective of the owner. I love that fine jewelry transcends generations and can be passed down as a reminder – it can really give a sense of time and place, and heritage. I always imagine that my clients passing their pieces on to someone else special as modern heirlooms.
There are three folds to my fine jewelry business: custom, design, and antiques. I love working with a client to help make their dreams a reality, so whether it is an engagement ring, an anniversary present or a treat-yourself necklace, it’s so much fun for me to walk through the process with someone. I also have pieces of jewelry (earrings, pinky ring, etc.) that I’ve designed that are available for custom purchase. Meaning, since I am a small shop, I don’t keep an inventory and each piece is special to the owner. Lastly, I work with antique jewelry. Inherited and antique jewelry is always special, but sometimes it’s not the new owner’s individual aesthetic, or maybe the piece looks dated. Little tweaks and modifications to an older piece can make all the difference in the world. For example, I recently modified a lion’s head pendant by changing the pendant’s hanging position (originally a slide pendant) it makes it modern and sleek, and added diamonds to the lion’s eyes.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
Social media can either help or enhance artists, in my opinion. It can be a tool of comparison, or one that allows you to be inspired and connect with like-minded artists who share the same passion, challenges and dreams as you. Honestly, it’s my biggest source of inspiration right now and also my biggest source of chagrin – jury’s out on which way I’ll swing!
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Right now, you can check out my jewelry on all the major social media outlets – Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest at Betsy Gardner Jewelry. The online store should we rolled out by the end of 2018/beginning of 2019. Stay tuned!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/
- Phone: 601-622-2480
- Email: betsy@betsygardner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsygardnerjewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Betsy-Gardner-Jewelry-243176753114984/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/betsygardnerjewelry/
Image Credit:
Lauren Bloom Photography
http://laurenbloomphotography.com/
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