Today we’d like to introduce you to Stefanie Fix.
Hi Stefanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Most of my life I had been a professional singer-songwriter. I officially launched my jewelry line in 2013; creating a beaded line of Men’s Jewelry that I made available on Etsy. As I honed my skills, I began to explore working more and more with metal fabrication. In 2019 for the first time, I made many of those pieces available to the general public. Now metal fabrication is my primary focus.
In 2022 I expanded, to include more women’s and unisex pieces. And, I began showing occasionally at Art Festivals around Texas.
Launching my jewelry line has taken me places spiritually and creatively that I never expected. I’ve lived in Austin for over 20 years. I love the Southwest and I love the desert. So, I incorporate both these environments, (urban and nature), that culminate in what I call, ‘southwestern style with a modern twist’.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course, life always has its challenges. The greatest struggle for me was giving myself permission to be something other than a singer-songwriter. For far too many years, being a musician was the center of my identity.
Releasing myself from that singular identity liberated me as an artist. I gave myself permission to change directions. Change my mind. Change my medium. That struggle forced me to rely solely, on my own certainty of what was worthwhile, regardless of external validation. It allowed me to examine and reconsider everything I told myself I was. and should be. Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that being one thing, doesn’t necessarily make you less of another thing. And, with that, a jewelry maker was born.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
There’s always an earthy quality to my work. To appreciate the nature world is to recognize [both], its beauty and its unforgiving nature. I guess you could say, it’s beauty with a little rough and tumble.
My most recent line is called “Reflections in Nature”. I meticulously hand saw, stenciled images of animals, wildflowers and fauna. Which are then soldered onto another piece of silver and completed with a patina finish.
Another recent line is my “Eclipse Series” originally conceived for the total solar eclipse that occurred in 2024. It was received so well, I decided to continue it. The series features sterling, brass and copper depicting the various phases of an eclipse.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’m a firm believer in taking risks artistically. It takes courage and you don’t always emerge triumphant. But, whatever the outcome; it will make you, and more importantly the content of your character, stronger.
Those risks force you to reckon with your deepest truth and your firmest beliefs. I was an up and coming Americana/folk artist and I became fascinated with a lot of lo-fi quasi-experimental bands. So, I recorded an “experimental” EP called Limited Sight Distance.
The Americana/folk world hated it. The greatest risk I ever took as an artist tanked my musical career. And yet, that commercial failure is what forced me to re-invent myself as a jewelry maker and oddly, (of all my musical achievements), that recording remains one that I am most proud of.
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