Solo Exhibit: Valerie Tyler (with Giveaway!)

I was sitting in an airport when I got a twitter message from Valerie Tyler letting me know that she was interested in doing an Etsy Stalker  giveaway.   I boarded my flight, got settled, and took a look at her shop.  While the flight attendant shot me dirty looks,  I frantically emailed Beatrice from my phone to ensure we got her on the schedule.  Once you see this exhibit, Stalkers, you’ll understand why I risked the wrath of the FAA to get it to you!

Valerie Tyler describes her work as modern, contemporary jewelry.  Take a look at what she does  and you’ll see that while this is true, her work is so much more.  She uses a variety of metals and creates pieces that are a beautiful marriage of organic and industrial.  Look at her Urban Minimalist earrings made from drilled sterling silver disks with a brushed metal finish.  Violet can hear them calling her name.

Valerie organizes much of her work into collections and this Curator is so intrigued by that process.  This gorgeous piece is part of her Gunmetal and Glow collection.  The concentric circles are simple and elegant and the use of gunmetal is an unexpected pleasure.

How awesome would they be with these Green Apple earrings?  How much do I love the crackled green agate paired with the sleek gunmetal?  (How many questions can I ask in one exhibit?)

Her Zen Earth collection is what most speaks to me.   To see vines, flowers, trees and even a bird’s nest skillfully formed from metal makes me all kinds of happy.

Valerie sat down and patiently answered all of my questions.  (And if I could give her a gold star for being the promptest interview EVER, I would.  She had her responses back to me in less than 24 hours…definitely an Etsy Stalker record!)  Read on to catch a glimpse of this talented artist, her influences, and artistic process.

How long have you been selling on Etsy? How did you get your start there?

My anniversary date says March of 2007, but I didn’t actually list items for quite awhile after that. I was invited to join by members of Cleveland Handmade when I was looking to connect with other local artists. I’ve probably been selling for about 2 years, and have really been focused on building the business for about the last year.

You work with a wide variety of materials. How do you discover new materials to work with?

Other than the gunmetal, most of the metals I use are actually pretty common to the jewelry profession. I remember my first jewelry instructor encouraging the use of brass to experiment with while learning as it was less expensive than sterling silver. I like to think of myself as more of a “mixed metalsmith” than just a “silversmith” because I’ve found exploring the various properties of different metals makes me more creative and opens up so many possibilities. It’s not so much that I discover new materials all that often, but through play and experimentation I discover new techniques to change the way they look and new ways to combine them. As far as the gemstones I use, like everyone else–I’m an etsy stalker too! I can spend hours going through the supplies on Etsy. (and hours….and hours…..and hours…)

Some of your jewelry has elements of nature while others show industrial influences. Do you have one overarching inspiration or is it ever changing?

My main inspirations are nature, contemporary interior design with simple, organic elements and zen gardens. I most love natural things that are simple and streamlined. Oddly enough I find that the industrial pieces can still be rooted in nature or reference elements of nature. Every simple geometric form in my industrial pieces can still be found in nature, and metal itself is just as natural as organic leaves or wood. Lately I’ve been inspired by a park near where I live in which old, industrial bits of Cleveland’s past are decaying naturally while the park grows and melds around them. It’s a strange dichotomy and a reminder of how powerful and necessary nature is. I’d like to explore this relationship further in future pieces and maybe in the process encourage people to have some reverence and respect for ecology.

Your organize your work into groups like Gunmetal and Glow or Zen Earth. Did you set out to make each category of jewelry or did you find it fell into those categories afterwards?

When I begin to work on pieces I tend to think like I am creating a jewelry display in a boutique. I ask myself: What can I create that will look good together? What can I make that suits a variety of styles, yet still is cohesive? I don’t typically name my category first, but I start out with a plan in mind, and then as the collection grows it takes on a personality and a theme. It’s a bit of a fluid process as sometimes a piece does not fit the theme I intended it for, and in turn inspires an entirely new collection.

What would you say is your favorite item in your shop right now? Is it the finished product or the process involved that makes it your favorite?

Either of my twigs earrings are my current favorites. They’re a new experiment in soldering and they manage to be both earthy looking and still a bit industrial at the same time.

There are so many jewelry sellers on Etsy; what advice would you give to those trying to establish themselves?

Sometimes think I am still learning the ropes myself, so it’s a little tough to give advice. My biggest recommendation is to allow yourself to be inspired, but to not try to emulate or copy others and to refrain from being to overzealous about trends. I think before you really get into making a lot of pieces it’s best to determine your personal identity as an artist, and to always try to portray this image in your work. Each piece, every description, all your photos and every last little detail, should be a work of art that represents your ideals as an artist. Sure it’s good to be aware of trends, but they shouldn’t dictate everything you make or how you present yourself. I’ve found my best-selling items are the ones that represent me the most. The pieces that have made my business memorable or respected by others, are the ones that are closest to my own personal style, or that I was proudest of. It goes to show that going with gut instinct can go a long way. You’ll save a lot of money and time too if you put a lot of thought into your work before even picking up a saw or a pair of pliers. Who do you want to make your pieces for? What image do you want to convey? Will your pieces be one-of-a-kind? Or several made for wholesale? Or part of a larger collection? Imagine, plan, and then create.

“Imagine, plan, and then create.” Is that not the best–and most helpful–philosophy? Now, are you ready to make some tough decisions? Here are the giveaway details:

Valerie has generously offered one lucky reader the choice of any pair of earrings from her shop that cost $20 or less.  To enter, simply visit her store, then come back and tell us either which earrings you would choose or your favorite item.  Note: this giveaway is only open to residents of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. One winner will be chosen at random on August 2nd.