Today we’d like to introduce you to Roslyn Broder.
Roslyn Broder, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have a BFA in painting and drawing and an MFA in filmmaking, both from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. As is often the case with young artists, I didn’t have a clear idea of how to make a living with my art degree. I fell into doing graphic production work, and then eventually became a graphic designer. A few years after my BFA, I received my MFA in filmmaking, with the idea of becoming a film editor, but kept on making short independent films and videos that were shown at events like festivals and screenings instead.
For many years, I continued as a graphic designer producing all kinds of printed materials, working in marketing and advertising, and eventually, primarily in publishing. The economic downturn beginning in 2008 was having an effect on that industry, and I began to feel like I needed some sort of change. I liked my work, but the idea of transitioning into web design or becoming a design manager just didn’t excite me.
I’d never been at all “crafty”, but I found the resurgence of handmade products that had recently begun intriguing. I became interested in the idea of creating a marketable craft. There were a few craft areas I was interested in; letterpress, decoupage, with jewelry being at the bottom of my list. But I began working with beads, and was hooked pretty quickly. I realized how much I’d missed working with my hands, and a lot of interests I’d already had in art and design came together for me with this medium.
As an undergrad at SAIC, I’d taken a class called, “Light Metals”, which was actually a metalsmithing class. Ironically, I just wasn’t that into it at that time. The idea of picking up a soldering torch secretly scared me. Although the torch still scared me years later, I started taking metalsmithing and enameling classes, I loved them, and just wanted to learn as much as I could. I started selling my work fairly quickly, and now sell mostly at art fairs and festivals, online, and in stores. Expanding my business into more retail stores and galleries is a near-term goal.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being an independent artist is always challenging. We do everything ourselves, so you really do have to enjoy (or at least be willing to tolerate) the business and marketing aspects in addition to the creative part, if you want to reach an audience. Working as a graphic designer for so long gave me a solid design background that I could translate into my jewelry designs, but learning the technical aspects of jewelry creation and construction has been a fascinating new challenge. While I can create some of my pieces in my home studio, I’ve been fortunate to find a couple of studios in the Chicago area that have good equipment and instruction.
I was often self-employed as a graphic designer, so that has also helped me from a business standpoint, but promoting a handmade product is multi-faceted. There’s website design and search engine optimization to consider, photographing your work (or having photos shot), writing about it, marketing, and social media. Entering and keeping up with art fairs and shows is another aspect.
It’s a challenge to figure out what sells! Sometimes I’ll have an idea that I won’t think will sell, and it becomes popular. Sometimes the reverse is true. Hopefully, there’s an alignment between what you want to make and what people want to buy.
As an entrepreneur, hours can be unpredictable and long at times, especially if I’m prepping for a show or working at one, working during the holidays, or completing a custom order.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about RedAvaDesigns – what should we know?
I design and create an eclectic line of jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets in sterling silver, copper, brass, and bronze. Initially, I used primarily vintage components to create my pieces, and still do some of that. But I’ve become increasingly involved with metalsmithing and enameling… Recently, I’ve also started to create enamel artwork and vessels using various collage techniques.
I’ve always loved Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, and Asian and African art and design, and they are all a big influence on my work. I appreciate the beauty of natural and organic forms and patterns, and often incorporate these images, shapes, and colors into my pieces, too.
I would say that I’m probably best known for my enameling, in which powdered, pigmented glass is fused to metal by firing in a 1500 degree kiln. I use a variety of enameling techniques, and am always discovering new ways to work with this less commonly-used, colorful medium. It’s probably my favorite thing to do, and has proven to be a rich source of inspiration for me.
Lost-wax casting is another method I work with often, so I think I’m known for casting all manner of original objects, vintage components, animal bones, and plants as well. Lost-wax casting is the process by which a duplicate metal object (usually silver or bronze) is cast from an original object. I also love finding unique, beautiful gemstones, and enjoy setting them in various ways.
I’ve just started creating a new line of products using an enameling technique called sgraffito, which involves drawing with liquid enamel.
I try to offer excellent design and craftsmanship at an affordable price point.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I am always learning and experimenting. And am not afraid to try a new technique or experiment with one. If you want to try something, you try it, that’s always been how I’ve approached my work. It may not be perfect right out of the gate, but it’s how you learn. Experimenting with new techniques keeps things interesting for me, and I think my customers enjoy seeing new products that no one else is making. I really do think of my work as wearable art.
Good customer service is also critical I enjoy connecting with customers personally, some of whom have become friends, and love when one of them is excited about wearing something I’ve created. Finding an unexpected new career at mid-life that I’m absolutely in love with has been incredibly inspiring.
Pricing:
- Necklaces: $35-$200
- Earrings: $28-$150
- Rings: $50-$150
- Bracelets:: $35-$150
- Artwork: $250-$500
- Vessels/Bowls: $35-$100
Contact Info:
- Website: http://redavadesigns.com/
- Email: redava15@gmail.com
- Online store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RedAvaDesigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redavadesigns
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redavadesigns/
- Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/roslynbroder/
- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/lR7Wb
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
