Today we’d like to introduce you to Andi Terry.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a sculptural jewelry artist living and working in Liberty Hill, Texas, northwest of Austin. I have a BA in International Relations from St. Mary’s University, but my initiation into jewelry making started at Austin Community College some years later. Once I took my first introductory class, I was hooked and took as many classes as I could to learn different techniques. ACC has a great jewelry program and I credit my professors for teaching me most of the things that I use on a daily basis to this day. After getting a certification at ACC, I took as many master classes as possible, learning about filigree, chasing and repousse, enameling, all of which I use in my work currently. For the last few years, I finally began channeling all of my learning towards building a more formal studio practice, attending fine art shows, entering competitions, and teaching classes.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The jewelry business is full of risk and reward; there are many talented people in this field, all competing for the consumer’s attention. I’m my particular chosen path, I apply for each juried fine art show and competition every year with new pieces. It’s a very subjective field where your work is chosen based on the tastes and opinions of the judges picking the entrants, which can change from year to year. You have to have a tough skin, accept rejection and turn that disappointment into something positive going forward. You have to have faith in you skills while still being willing to change and adapt to make yourself a better artist while being true to your aesthetic. I continue to try to find my artistic voice daily and always reaching for that next great piece that is pushes the boundaries while still expressing who I am.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I make nature-inspired sculptural jewelry using fine silver and gold and the techniques of filigree and chasing and repousse, I attempt to represent what nature has to offer with a slightly different point of view. Leaves changing with the seasons, organic underground networks, pods germinating; all have a story waiting to be told. Using the combination of formed metal with the delicate lace-like appearance of filigree helps to set me apart from other metalsmiths. I hand fabricated my pieces from a flat sheet of metal with a hammer and tools and put in all the scrolls in my filigree pieces one at a time. A point of pride for me is putting interesting textures in all my pieces; these details are the mark of an artisan-made, unique work of art that I hope people will appreciate and enjoy wearing for some time to come.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I am most fortunate to have a very strong support system that has allowed to me to create pieces that dream big. A huge chunk of credit goes to my husband, who not only supports my biggest, most ambitious goals but also pushes me to think of the more practical day to day things that my creative mind would rather not address. I also have two children who have great artistic talent; their illustrations often fuel ideas for my work. I’m lucky enough come from a family that loves to make things; my mom weaves, knits and quilts and my dad draws and paints, both whom have always encouraged my ideas. I have the help of friends as well, helping me with shows, coming to give their support and buying my pieces. I have a charmed life in this aspect, I would say. Professionally speaking, I would have to thank my professors in the jewelry department at Austin Community College who helped me learn the basics, along with the teachers in specialized classes have all helped me attain the specialized skills I’ve needed to further my goals. In recent years I was given the chance to teach, something which I find very fulfilling and enjoyable. I love the chance to enable others to have the satisfaction of creating something that is well made, from their own hands and ultimate expression of who they are.
Contact Info:
- Email: Forgedfromnature@gmail.com
- Website: Anditerry.com
- Instagram: Forgedfromnature
- Facebook: Forgedfromnature
Image Credits:
Cole Rodger Doug Miller
