11 Comments
User's avatar
Nkese Lewis's avatar

I enjoy reading your substack. What I love the most about your writing is you write like you are having a conversation with a friend and that is what makes it so engaging. I cannot wait to see more of your jewelry.

Expand full comment
James N Watts's avatar

I love to hear that. Thank you for reading and you will see lots more jewelry from me ❤️‍🔥

Expand full comment
Pat Watts's avatar

Word of the Day: Gestalt (I had to look it up). Surprised my kids are so smart.

Expand full comment
Tina Storey's avatar

I love that James's parents actively engage here.

Expand full comment
Riin Gill's avatar

There’s a local silversmith who teaches classes through the adult rec & ed of our public school system. I took some classes from her in 2017, and I loved everything I learned, but yeah, some things were so hard. I sold my jewelry for a few years, but I could never make things fast enough to sell them for a price that people wanted to pay. Apparently other smiths could do things much much faster than me. I could totally believe that. Everything took so much longer than it should have. The smithing gods did not look favorably upon me.

But I absolutely love the jewelry I made for myself.

Expand full comment
James N Watts's avatar

I am not about speed or production of volume at all. I think my jewelry drops will be sporadic and on my terms. Ideally I’d like to hone my skills enough to make more involved/complex/expensive pieces so that a few pieces can still have a nice little pay off if anyone wants to buy them.

Expand full comment
Beryl Alexander's avatar

Such a fascinating insight into this craft, thanks for sharing James. I’m so enjoying your writing.

Expand full comment
James N Watts's avatar

Thank you! 🥰

Expand full comment
Ciara's avatar

SO excited about your jewelry line! I totally identify with not being into the precision bit... I have a hard time finishing paintings because it comes down to all the dumb details, lol. Starting is way more fun. Probably also why I love knitting. I'll start scraping my pennies together for a gifty for me from your jewelry offerings!

Expand full comment
Tina Storey's avatar

All your jewellery pieces are so gorgeous! Simple, imperfect, with an inner glow to the stones. I like the hammered metal.

Expand full comment
Hannah Porter Denecke's avatar

I will purchase

Expand full comment