Arizona Artist Series: Katherine Londen Q&A Katherine makes jewelry that mixes edgy lines with organic shapes and she always uses beautiful stones as a focal point. She just launched her etsy store, shopdearjewelry.com and we can't wait to see what she comes up with next.  Stick Earrings How did you get into making jewelry? I first became interested in metalsmithing in college, when I worked for a year as a sales assistant at a boutique jewelry store in Tucson called Viir Jewelers. I learned a little about gemstones and how they form in the earth, what gives them their colors, where they come from, etc. and I was fascinated by it. Jewelry making is really the intersection of art and science. I think that is the coolest thing! Years later, I read an article about Harold Studio and when I ended up taking a job downtown, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to take a class and learn. I've since taken several different classes. What inspires you? S......

Arizona Artist Series: Melanie Channon Q&A Melanie Channon is a scientist who makes beautiful wall hangings that will leave you breathless.  One of her pieces, Octopus is currently being featured at Arizona's Herbergur Theatre's Face Off Exhibit  with some other amazing artists until January.  You can see more of her work on her instagram .  How did you get into metalsmithing?   I took a class at Harold Studio in February 2013 and immediately fell in love with manipulating metal. What inspires you?   Metalwork made for religious purposes and/or royalty in the middle ages.  Pieces like reliquaries and crowns that were obviously time consuming and painstaking to make.  I really admire the dedication it took to make them.  I strive to reflect that kind of dedication in my pieces, even though they are not for religion or royalty.   What is your design process?   I try to think of things......

How to create with intention. It's so easy to focus on the negative, or the overwhelming list of things to do. The reason I am drawn to create is because it forces me to focus in the moment. But sometimes I can get so caught up in the process of making jewelry, I lose track of time and, more importantly, the goals I have for myself. ...