Chocolate and Steel: Solo Exhibit (With Giveaway!)

The medium through which I express my soul is jewelry.
–Christine, of Chocolate and Steel

I’ve been stalking Chocolate and Steel for ages–it was a love that began back when Etsy Stalker was just a glimmer in my eye. My stalking has been so intense, in fact, that it’s taken me a full year to get up the nerve to ask her about letting us feature her in a solo exhibit. What if she said no? What if I put myself out there to one of my favorite shops and get shot down?

(Breathe, Beatrice. Breathe.)

One look at Chocolate and Steel and you’ll completely understand.

Artisan Jeweler Christine specializes in the use of reclaimed silver to make fine jewelry that is a standout in the crowded world of independent jewelry sellers. Most of her pieces clearly draw inspiration from nature, with an added touch of whimsy. Take, for instance, her fabulous collection of stacking rings (including a duck with a beanie on his little feathered bottom to keep him warm!):

I am especially enamored by the way she incorporates gems into her pieces to add a touch of interest and sparkle. The placement of a few red gems on the side of an apple, for example, brings this pendant to a whole new level.

The same is certainly true of this darling little hummingbird pendant. Let’s face it: would it not be the purest form of cruelty to place a little hummer on a pendant without a snack?

The hummingbird is part of a limited edition series Chocolate and Steel has done with boygirlparty, an amazing illustrator and fellow Etsian. Also in the series, among others:

One of those is going to end up in my shopping cart really soon. If only I could choose which! Unless, of course, I go with something from the poppy line, which make me feel warm and fuzzy inside whenever I gaze longingly at the pictures.

Oh, Stalkers. What’s not to love?

My interview with Christine is among my favorites so far. This is the best part of my gig here at the Stalker: getting to converse with artists and see things through their eyes. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Curator B: How long have you been selling on Etsy? How did you decide to set up shop there?

I have been selling on Etsy since February of 2007. Sometime in 2006 I decided to build a website and sell my jewelry while I was on maternity leave. The process of building a website is long, difficult, and the aesthetics were not turning out the way I wanted it to. My friend sent me an email sharing her new Etsy shop. I loved Etsy from the beginning. The interface was so user friendly compared to the site I was trying to build. So, I scrapped my commerce page from my website and sent everyone to my Etsy shop. I had five sales my first day! (From my mom, my sister, my aunt, and two friends…).

Curator B: When did you first know you were an artist?

I have always loved making things but generally viewed the term “artist” as someone who can draw realistically. My best friend since 2nd grade could draw the best flowers and bubble letters. I thought she was really artistic.

After one year at a liberal arts college I decided that what I really wanted to do was design clothes. I applied to FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising). They asked me if I could draw and I said no. They told me that I should go into marketing instead of design then. I did not follow their suggestion, thankfully. Throughout college I started to realize that art is so much more than realism.

I’ve only recently embraced the word artist. I used to call myself a jewelry designer, then a jeweler, and now an artisan jeweler. Artisan jeweler seems like the perfect title because it is art, and the medium through which I express my soul is jewelry.

Curator B: What is the most challenging part about owning your own business?

The most challenging part is just keeping up. At the stage that I’m at I have a lot of work to do. Designing, photographing, marketing, selling, creating, shipping, book keeping…. it’s a lot of hats for one person. This past year I dove into wholesale too. I do four wholesale shows a year, and about twelve retail (craft) shows a year. All of this while technically having only three days a week to work (my son is in preschool for three days a week and then I’m on parent duty the rest). BUT, as challenging as that is…. I am still so happy. I love what I do! I am really grateful that the public has supported my passion.

Curator B: Could you tell us a little bit about “reclaimed silver” and how you work with it?

Reclaimed silver is silver that has been used already – recycled. Nowadays much of silver is reclaimed. They use silver in many different industries so there is a lot of it. Most manufacturers sell their silver scraps and dust to recoup money. This is then melted down and resold.

In my case, I work with metal clay. Metal clay takes reclaimed silver and grinds it into a powder. That silver powder is mixed with an organic binder that makes it malleable like clay. When my piece is created and sanded and finished to perfection I throw it in a kiln at 1650 degrees. At that temp the binder burns away allowing the silver particles to sinter and form a solid silver piece.

Curator B: Who/what are your biggest inspirations?

Who? my husband. He is a strong believer in pursuing what you love. When I met him I was very practical. Everything I did was planned out and scrutinized. Now I follow my intuition. The evolution of Chocolate and Steel is intuitive. I do some weighing of pros and cons, but the final say is always “What feels right?”.

What? I love when simple and cheerful come together. Currently that combination is seen in my love of modern design and nature. I imagine it will evolve into something else as I get older. But I hope to always keep that frame of “simple and cheerful”.

Curator B: What is your studio/workspace like? (A photo would be great if you have one!)

My “studio” is pretty perfect! I have an old 60′s drafting table from my dad’s print shop that I work on. I love it because the top has a pea green laminate that can get trashed but wipes clean so easily. I’ve added another little table next to it with my computer and printer (that would be my marketing and shipping station). Then I added a huge cabinet that stores all of my crafty stuff. It has doors so my mess is hidden. Very important since my studio is located in the far left corner of my living room. Here is one of my better pictures of the work space (aka clean).

The Giveaway:

Christine has generously offered to give one lucky Stalker a Tiny Heart Stacking Ring:

To enter, hop on over to Chocolate and Steel and stalk to your heart’s content. Then return here and leave us a comment telling us which item you think Beatrice should buy you are most drawn to and why. One entry per person, please. The winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, 11/15. Good luck!