Today we’d like to introduce you to Mishele Freeman.
Mishele, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I had the desire to learn the art of metalsmithing and attended a few schools locally. From there, I am pretty much self-taught. Trial and error teaches you a lot about a subject and when things work out, that in itself, is pretty motivating!
I have always enjoyed a challenge. I remember the first day that I learned how to solder my teacher asked me what I was going to make and I replied, “a robot”. I’m sure she thought it was a little ambitious and I didn’t know any better. The robot was really basic but my solder joints were clean and I was hooked.
I worked with brass a lot in the beginning of my practice. It is an inexpensive metal, so I wasn’t afraid to make mistakes. Working with gold and silver you become a little more apprehensive with your approach. I save every scrap, melt it down to create an ingot and use it again to form a new piece of jewelry.
At this point in time, I have been metalsmithing for 12 years (or more) and I still learn new things.
I design and create each piece of jewelry and am a one-woman show.
Has it been a smooth road?
Metalsmithing is an expensive hobby/ trade. The metal itself is expensive, especially when you work with silver and gold; let alone the tools needed to create jewelry. It takes time to build up your shop with the tools that you want and need.
As a one woman show, wearing every hat necessary to create and sustain a business is challenging. There isn’t enough time in the day to achieve everything that needs to get accomplished!
At times working alone is challenging. If your stuck on a project; you don’t have anyone to turn to for guidance…. on the flip side that also helps you think outside the box and get creative.
I would have to say that currently, my biggest struggle is social media…algorithms! I’m not a computer person per say and staying on top of branding, exposure and posting in that realm is a full-time job,
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about your work?
LOA is an acronym for law of attraction. The name came from the notion that I think that most people know immediately what they resonate with and jewelry is no exception.
I design and create each piece of jewelry and challenge myself to make unique pieces. I give myself days in the studio where I try to create something that I have never attempted to make before. The last time I did this, I made a tall ship pendant. I now have six ships in a series that will have a total of ten, each one completely different than the next.
I work with ethically sourced gemstones and try my best to buy and support local/ US.
A few years ago I learned the art of lapidary and now I cut my own gemstones as well. I own lapidary equipment and have the luxury of cutting stones when the mood strikes. So literally, most pieces of jewelry that I create is handmade from the metalwork to the shape of the gemstones themselves.
My favorite gemstone to work with is turquoise and a lot of my work features it.
Contact Info:
- Website: Etsy/loadesigns.com
- Phone: 619/990-3001
- Email: loadesignsjewelry@gmail.com
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