Slowmade: Nourishing Conversations for Jewelry Artists and Metalsmiths

Christine Mighion
  • 4.8 (62)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Slowmade is a nourishing and inclusive space for independent jewelry artists and metalsmiths that supports your desire to build a more soulful, handcrafted business, and life... one that aligns with your values, your passion, and your creativity. Join jewelry artist, seasoned business owner, and the host of Slowmade, Christine Mighion in this conversational style podcast. You'll hear honest and inspiring stories from artists around the world, sharing their wins, their challenges, and the lessons they learned along the way to building financially sustainable and purpose driven business.

  1. Beth Judge - When It's Finally Your Turn to Come Home to Your Creative Self

    3d ago

    Beth Judge - When It's Finally Your Turn to Come Home to Your Creative Self

    In this episode, I’m joined by jewelry artist Beth Judge for a conversation about the long and winding creative path, the seasons of life when our own dreams get placed on hold, and what it means to finally come back to the artist within. Beth’s love of jewelry began in high school, where she was lucky enough to have access to a metalsmithing program that introduced her to soldering, sawing, stone setting, and even casting. She went on to study metalsmithing at Tyler School of Art and later became a graduate gemologist through GIA before spending many years working as a bench jeweler. Her path also includes teaching, motherhood, supporting a family restaurant business, opening a brick-and-mortar studio space in Hopewell, New Jersey, and finding her way back to her own creative voice in a deeper and more intentional way. We talk about the pressure so many women feel to put everyone else first, and how easy it can be to move our own creative longings to the side while we take care of children, partners, work, finances, and all the responsibilities of life. Beth shares honestly about what it has meant to finally give herself more permission to play, experiment, and enjoy the process rather than always creating from a place of pressure or practicality. Beth also shares about her beautiful shared studio space, her work as a full-time art teacher, her love of stones, her growing interest in enamel, and the way working in other mediums like fiber and ceramics has begun to cross-pollinate with her jewelry practice. We talk about slowmade as an invitation to enjoy the process, the courage it can take to call yourself an artist, and why making time for the work that feeds your soul matters at every stage of life. This is a warm and honest conversation about creativity, identity, timing, and the part of us that never really disappears, even when life gets full. Follow Beth... Beth on Instagram: ⁠@bethanndesigns Beth’s website: bethannjudge.com Love the Podcast? Support an episode: ⁠Click here to learn more!⁠ Without your support I couldn’t continue the Slowmade Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Christine and Slowmade... Instagram: ⁠@christinemighion⁠ Jewelry Website: ⁠christinemighion.com⁠ Slowmade: ⁠slowmadepodcast.com

    59 min
  2. Leora Coronel - Cutting River Stones & Making Jewelry with a Sense of Place

    Jun 3

    Leora Coronel - Cutting River Stones & Making Jewelry with a Sense of Place

    In this episode of the Slowmade Podcast, I’m talking with jewelry and lapidary artist Leora Coronel. Leora lives in Northern California, where her work is deeply connected to the Yuba River. She collects stones from the river, cuts them herself, and transforms them into jewelry that carries a strong sense of place. Our conversation begins with the long and winding path that led Leora into jewelry. From collecting rocks as a child, to making feather earrings while working at a yoga studio in Los Angeles, to slowly learning metalwork and eventually finding her way into lapidary, Leora shares how working with her hands has always filled a deep need to create. We talk about what it means to work with materials from your own surroundings, and how powerful it can feel to turn something ordinary and often overlooked into something wearable and meaningful. Leora shares how learning to cut her own river stones opened up a whole new world in her work and became one of the most defining parts of her creative path. We also talk about the push and pull so many independent artists feel between making what lights us up and making what sells. Leora speaks honestly about depending on her jewelry for income, the pressure that can put on the work, and the gratitude she feels that much of what she loves to make also connects with her customers. This conversation also moves into teaching, imposter syndrome, and creative confidence. Leora shares how she slowly began offering private lessons and workshops, including lapidary classes, and how rewarding it has been to help other artists experience the excitement of cutting their own stones for the first time. We also get into the current realities of being a working jewelry artist, including slow sales, rising silver prices, shifting away from depending solely on Instagram, and finding ways to diversify income while staying connected to the work. What I loved most about this conversation is Leora’s honesty. She doesn’t make the creative path sound perfectly clear or easy. Instead, she speaks about following one step, then another, staying open to what the materials offer, and continuing to make because the work brings satisfaction, joy, and meaning. Follow along... Leora on Instagram: ⁠@leoracoroneljewelry Leora’s website: leoracoronel.com Love the Podcast? Support an episode: ⁠Click here to learn more!⁠ Without your support I couldn’t continue the Slowmade Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Christine and Slowmade... Instagram: ⁠@christinemighion⁠ Jewelry Website: ⁠christinemighion.com⁠ Slowmade: ⁠slowmadepodcast.com

    49 min
  3. Francesca Kennedy - Making Without Rules: Following Instinct & Creative Curiosity

    May 20

    Francesca Kennedy - Making Without Rules: Following Instinct & Creative Curiosity

    On this episode of the Slowmade Podcast, I’m joined by artist and jeweler Francesca Kennedy for a deeply thoughtful conversation about creativity, instinct, imagination, and making without rigid rules. Francesca has spent decades creating, first in clothing design in the Bay Area and later in jewelry, and one of the things I loved most about this conversation was her willingness to stay open creatively. Rather than forcing herself into a formula or “brand,” she follows curiosity, experimentation, feeling, and play — allowing the work to evolve naturally over time. Together we talk about growing up “semi-feral,” the importance of imagination and solitude in a creative life, the changing landscape of art and business, one-of-a-kind work, travel, beauty, community, and the freedom that comes from creating work that feels true to who you are. This conversation felt especially meaningful to me because it also marks the 100th episode of the podcast. I walked away feeling inspired, creatively recharged, and reminded that some of the most interesting artists are the ones willing to keep exploring. You can find Francesca’s work and follow along here: Instagram: @flkjewelry Love the Podcast? Support an episode: ⁠Click here to learn more!⁠ Without your support I couldn’t continue the Slowmade Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Christine and Slowmade... Instagram: ⁠@christinemighion⁠ Jewelry Website: ⁠christinemighion.com⁠ Slowmade: ⁠slowmadepodcast.com

    57 min
  4. Norah Payne - Following What Feels Like You & Rebuilding a Life Through Metalsmithing

    May 6

    Norah Payne - Following What Feels Like You & Rebuilding a Life Through Metalsmithing

    Norah Payne first found her way to metalsmithing years ago before stepping away from it for over a decade. When she returned, it wasn’t with a clear plan, but as something to hold onto during a deeply isolated time—something that slowly became the work she couldn’t imagine letting go of. In this episode, we talk about building a body of work over time, following what feels right, and designing intuitively—often letting the stone lead. We also get into the realities many independent jewelry artists are facing right now, from slower sales to rising material costs and staying visible online. Norah also shares about losing her home and studio in a wildfire, what it meant to begin again, and the support she received from the jewelry community as she rebuilt. This is a conversation about returning to what you love, trusting your instincts, and continuing to make… even when the path isn’t clear. Follow Along: Norah on Instagram: ⁠@norahpaynemetals Norah’s Website: norahpaynemetals.com Love the Podcast? Consider supporting an episode! Learn more at https://www.slowmadepodcast.com/support-the-podcast Without your support I couldn’t continue the Slowmade Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Christine and Slowmade... Instagram: ⁠@christinemighion⁠ Jewelry Website: ⁠christinemighion.com⁠ Slowmade: ⁠slowmadepodcast.com

    1h 7m
  5. Cole Rodger - When Is It Time for Professional Jewelry Photography? Why Your Jewelry Photos Might Be Holding You Back.

    Apr 22

    Cole Rodger - When Is It Time for Professional Jewelry Photography? Why Your Jewelry Photos Might Be Holding You Back.

    If you’ve ever struggled with photographing your jewelry—or wondered if it might be time to invest in professional images—this conversation is going to give you a lot to think about. Today I’m joined by jewelry photographer Cole Rodger, whose work many artists in our industry trust to bring their pieces to life. Cole didn’t start out planning to photograph jewelry, but through years of experience in both photography and running her own product-based business, she’s developed a deep understanding of what it takes to create images that not only look beautiful… but actually help sell the work. In this conversation, Cole shares what goes into creating strong, impactful images—and why photography is often one of the most overlooked (and misunderstood) parts of an artist’s business. We talk about when it makes sense to invest in professional photography, how different types of images serve different purposes, and what artists can do right now to improve their own photos at home. This is one of those episodes that can shift how you see your work—and how you present it to the world. Follow Along: Cole on Instagram: ⁠@coleimage & @colerodgerimage Cole’s Website: coleimage.com Love the Podcast? Support an episode: ⁠Click here to learn more!⁠ Without your support I couldn’t continue the Slowmade Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Christine and Slowmade... Instagram: ⁠@christinemighion⁠ Jewelry Website: ⁠christinemighion.com⁠ Slowmade: ⁠slowmadepodcast.com

    1h 15m
  6. Ray & Amy Bridewell: The Art & Science of Creating Gemstones and Designing Jewelry Around Them

    Apr 8

    Ray & Amy Bridewell: The Art & Science of Creating Gemstones and Designing Jewelry Around Them

    Amy and Ray Bridewell share a creative partnership that brings together two very different backgrounds — metalsmithing and ceramics — in a way that feels both natural and entirely their own. Ray creates the stones, growing crystal gemstones in a kiln through a process shaped by heat, time, and years of experimentation. Amy then takes those one-of-a-kind stones and transforms them into jewelry, focusing on how each piece can best be worn, held, and experienced. In this conversation, we talk about how their work came together, what it looks like to collaborate as both partners and artists, and the reality of working with materials that don’t always behave the way you expect. Ray shares the long path of learning to grow these stones, and the continued sense of discovery that still exists every time the kiln is opened. We also talk about shows, connecting with people in person, and the importance of helping others understand the process behind the work — especially when what they’re seeing challenges what they think they know about stones. This episode is a reflection on patience, experimentation, and the kind of making that asks you to stay curious. Follow Along... Ray & Amy on Instagram: ⁠@bridewell_and_bridewell Ray & Amy’s Website: bridewellstone.com Love the Podcast? Support an episode: ⁠Click here to learn more!⁠ Without your support I couldn’t continue the Slowmade Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Christine and Slowmade... Instagram: ⁠@christinemighion⁠ Jewelry Website: ⁠christinemighion.com⁠ Slowmade: ⁠slowmadepodcast.com

    45 min
  7. Kate Weber: Pricing Your Work, Protecting Your Voice, and Staying True to the Craft

    Mar 25

    Kate Weber: Pricing Your Work, Protecting Your Voice, and Staying True to the Craft

    Kate Weber of Night Swim Designs joins me to talk about finding her way to metalsmithing during the uncertainty of 2020 after being furloughed from the travel industry. What began as something to fill the time quickly became a path she couldn’t imagine leaving, and working with metal felt like a language she already understood — a mix of creativity, structure, and problem-solving that finally clicked. In this conversation we talk honestly about what it looks like to build a life as an independent artist right now. We get into rising metal prices, slower sales, pricing handmade work sustainably, and the constant balance between creating what we love and making a living from it. Kate shares her thoughts on trusting your instincts, valuing your time, and why handmade jewelry should be seen as lasting work, not something disposable. We also talk about travel, nature, building a studio from the ground up, and the way working with our hands can bring us back to ourselves when everything else feels uncertain. This episode is a reminder that there isn’t one right way to build a creative life — only the path that feels true to you. Follow Along... Kate on Instagram: ⁠@nightswimdesigns Kate’s Website: nightswimdesigns.com Love the Podcast? Support an episode: ⁠Click here to learn more!⁠ Without your support I couldn’t continue the Slowmade Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Christine and Slowmade... Instagram: ⁠@christinemighion⁠ Jewelry Website: ⁠christinemighion.com⁠ Slowmade: ⁠slowmadepodcast.com

    1h 7m
  8. ENCORE: Kerin Rose - Jewelry as a Bridge Between the Concrete World and the Soul-Based World & the Impact of Selling Art on Your Relationship to Creativity

    Mar 11

    ENCORE: Kerin Rose - Jewelry as a Bridge Between the Concrete World and the Soul-Based World & the Impact of Selling Art on Your Relationship to Creativity

    Originally aired August 21, 2024, this is not only one of your favorite episodes, it's one of mine! I’m sure you know how it feels when you meet someone new at an event and within a few minutes you feel you’ve found a kindred spirit? Someone who speaks your language. Well, that is how I felt when I met Kerin Rose… and it’s not because Rose was my maiden name.  Kerin was a member of a metalsmithing community I belonged to on Etsy. I’m sure if you have listened to the podcast for anything length of time you have heard me talk about EtsyMetal and the positive impact it had on my success as a new business owner.  I’ve probably known Kerin for 20 years now, but we’ve never sat down and had a conversation together. We would mostly chat about the business of selling jewelry, in our Etsy group forum, or more recently through DM’s. However, Kerin’s jewelry and ceramic work resonated with me on soul level and I knew that we spoke the same language which is why I was over the moon when she agreed to have a conversation with me on Slowmade. I've personally known Kerin as a wonderful jewelry and clay artist, but I was really surprised to hear her art journey extended far beyond those lines. I think you'll find her story surprising as well. From Kerin's website... "I am an artist  and  beauty hunter..... mostly, I am a believer in 'kinship magic'. It means that a person's personal energy can travel through an object.  How  do we connect more deeply to the natural world?  To each other?  To beauty? To the darker side of human existence? What do the spaces between us mean , and what are they actually made of?  Life is beautiful, and it's also hard...we are asked to hold both of those things  in our hands and heart at the same time. Sometimes, you need a tangible object, a ritual, a symbol of being human. That is where I come in." Website: www.kerinrose.com Instagram: @kerinrose If this podcast means something to you and you would like to support it, please take a a moment to give it a few kinds word with a written review on your favorite podcast listening platform. This helps me share the podcast with others. You can also share a favorite episode or consider joining our Slowmade Podcast Patreon community. You support literally makes this podcast possible. Thank you so much!You can follow along or reach out to Christine on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@christinemighion⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠@slowmadepodcast⁠⁠⁠ or you can send her an email at: info@christinemighion.com

    1h 11m
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4.8
out of 5
62 Ratings

About

Slowmade is a nourishing and inclusive space for independent jewelry artists and metalsmiths that supports your desire to build a more soulful, handcrafted business, and life... one that aligns with your values, your passion, and your creativity. Join jewelry artist, seasoned business owner, and the host of Slowmade, Christine Mighion in this conversational style podcast. You'll hear honest and inspiring stories from artists around the world, sharing their wins, their challenges, and the lessons they learned along the way to building financially sustainable and purpose driven business.

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