Meet Julianna
Apprentice Silversmith, GILDED Gem Studio
Tell us a bit about yourself — where you're from, how old you are, and what you're up to these days outside the studio!
I love to get my hands dirty and be creative! I pretty much always have at least two different projects going at one time. I’ve experimented with a lot of different mediums and I always return to creating things that I can “use.” Lately I’ve been crocheting and knitting a lot, but I also love mixed media and collaging.
How did you get started with GILDED Gem Studio?
I had been obsessed with the practice of silversmithing and had been wanting to create my own rings for a while. I happened to be scrolling instagram one day and came across a GILDED post about a workshop at AR Studios. I immediately signed up for a class…and then another class and now I’m apprenticing with GILDED.
What’s been your favorite part of apprenticing so far?
Getting to work closely with all the GILDED ladies has been incredible so far! I get to be surrounded by some insanely talented artists who are kind enough to share their knowledge with me. Grateful doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about this opportunity and I hope to pass along the creative vibes to those taking our classes!
Are you more of a classic silver lover, or do you play around with different types? What's your go-to?
I pretty much always have some type of jewelry on and I love mixing classic gold and silver pieces together—a fun pair of earrings or stacking a bunch of rings are my go to look right now. The jewelry I wear is often a reflection of my mood and environment, so it’s constantly changing as I continue to evolve and grow.
Have you worked with different jewelry designs/styles, or do you have a signature style? (If not, tell me about your hobbies!)
My time with GILDED has been my first metal working experience, so I’m still figuring out my signature style with silversmithing. Having fun and being creative is the mindset I try to prioritize no matter what hobby I’m exploring. Most of the mediums I’ve worked with have all been self taught (thanks YouTube!), so mistakes are usually made along the way, but I firmly believe mistakes are one of the best ways to learn!
What do you think makes a workshop at GILDED Gem Studio different?
Workshops with GILDED Gem Studio are such a wholesome experience. You leave each workshop with a high quality piece of wearable art that you actually made with your own hands and get to spend a few hours with some really creative and lovely people too! No matter what you decide to create, everyone at GILDED does their best to help you accomplish whatever idea or design is in your head. I’ve had some crazy ideas (or so I thought) during my first classes and Becca was kind enough to share her knowledge and make sure I could create what I was envisioning! Each item is truly unique—you may select the same kind of stone as the person next to you but the end result is totally individual.
What’s next for you in your silversmithing or creative journey?
My personal quest to continue to learn all the things and grow my knowledge of the craft (and my personal jewelry collection) is only just beginning! I hope one day to lead some of the GILDED Gem Studio workshops myself!