Today we’d like to introduce you to John Weber.
Hi John, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Circa 1970, I moved from Orange CA, to Ft. Collins Colorado to attend Colorado State University. A local silversmith was giving lessons in jewelry making. Once I saw how quickly he made a piece of beautiful jewelry, I was hooked. I purchased some basic tools and after making a number of simple pieces (pendants, rings and bracelets), I began designing more unique, one-of-a -kind, silver and turquoise jewelry. I began incorporating a number of other semi-precious materials, such as Ivory, Onyx, Red Coral, Mother of Pearl, Ironwood, Fire Agate and Australian Opals, etc., into my work.
Throughout the early 1970, I created larger and more unique pieces of jewelry that would eventually be sold through various agents, to several famous singers and musicians of the day.
Toward the end of the 1970’s, I opened my own Jewelry and Native American Art store. As it so happened, the market for silver and turquoise jewelry was dying out and after two years, I was forced to close my store. I stowed away all my remaining inventory and found employment with the Riverside County Probation Department. I worked there as a Probation Officer for twenty five years, retiring in 2009.
After retiring from the Probation Department, I met and married my wife Ruth and moved to Escondido. I found myself having a lot of free time and decided to get back into making silver and turquoise jewelry. I purchased all new lapidary equipment, jewelry tools, work benches, torches, etc., and began to make some of the jewelry I had designed but never fabricated. Currently, I create a new piece of jewelry every couple of weeks or so. My current work, as well as the pieces I made back in the early 1970’s, can be viewed and purchased on my website, johnwebersilversmith.com
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
In the “old days,” I had developed a fairly large following who knew my work and I also sold my work to a number of jewelry retailers. Since resuming my silversmithing and starting an online sales website, it has been more difficult.
I just turned 71 and am not very well versed in online technologies or the development and use of a retail website. I had to pay professionals to develop my website, as well ask a number of family members to help me launch my website. I have very little knowledge as how to promote my website online or how to be found on the various internet search engines.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love the creative process, whether designing a piece of jewelry or cutting and polishing various stones. Since I can cut my own material (stones), I have a lot more freedom in designing one-of-a-kind jewelry.
I get my inspiration from all over. From traditional to modern Native American jewelry, to nature, to ideas that just pop into my head. The challenge then is to fabricate what I saw in my mind’s eye. The interesting part is that in the fabrication process, I may add or subtract various elements as I see how a piece progresses. As most of my current works are Original (one-of-a-kind), I am constantly trying different and varied techniques to get the desired results. I feel I am a very creative person overall and the designing and making of unique jewelry is one of my favorite creative outlets.
I am also a burgeoning songwriter and will soon be releasing an EP album of Original Irish Pub songs.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I was a huge fan of western books, TV and movies growing up in the 50’s and 60’s. I also loved Science Fiction and futurism. I think some of these influences occasionally appear in some of my jewelry designs.
When I resumed silversmithing after a 45 year hiatus, I had to relearn a number techniques to get the results I wanted. Thank goodness for youtube!!!
I have learned over the years that to do my best in life and to be the best person I can be, you must approach every significant task with a “craftsman’s ethic.” To me, that means to do the very best you can with your abilities and not take any shortcuts. I have too much of pride in work and in my reputation as a silversmith, to take any shortcuts or use any inferior materials.
Pricing:
- Pieces in my collection range from about $10.00 to $2,000.00
Contact Info:
- Email: jpweberenterprises@gmail.com
- Website: johnwebersilversmith.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000232347517
Image Credits:
John Weber
