The Artisan Within with Rural Abandon

1. Where are you from?
I was born and raised in rural Iowa. After college I left the state and lived in places like Ukraine, Minneapolis, and Armenia but recently found my way back to my home.

2. What do you create?
Sterling silver and mixed-media jewelry using traditional metalsmithing methods.

3. Tell us a little about yourself.

By day I work for the University of Iowa International Writing Program and by night I am a metalsmith. I am extremely close to my family and the proud adoptive parent of a wonderful little girl. I feel extremely lucky to have the life I do and have so far been able to translate every dream for myself into reality. I feel like I have already lived a thousand lives!

4. What or Who got you started doing what you do?
I have always been artistic and creative but it wasn't until recent years that I settled on metalsmithing as my art form of choice. While in college I explored everything from drawing and painting to ceramics and photography but in the end I decided to carry on in my father's footsteps. He has been a gold and silversmith for over 37 years. It took some time but once I found my voice in metalsmithing it became a real pleasure to work in.

5. If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your work, who would they be?
What a great question and something I have never thought about before...flexing my brain on this one...I guess I would be completely flattered for anyone famous to wear my work but I would love for Ellen DeGeneres to sport one of my quirky mixed-media pieces. They seem right up her alley.

6. Do you prefer to create in silence, or a room filled with music?
I generally have music or NPR on when I am in my shop. I find classical music to be particularly soothing while I am working on more intricate pieces. Sometimes I work at my dad's shop and he usually has classic rock playing...I love to sing along much to the dismay of my father.

7. When did you first discover you had a creative side?
Very early. I loved to draw as a child and had a lot of encouragement from family, friends, and teachers. Both of my parents are creative people so art was a part of my life from the start.

8. What's one thing that would surprise us about yourself?
I am very well traveled...this seems to surprise people in Iowa. I have traveled to or lived in 18 countries so far and will be adding 4 more this Spring. Besides art I have always had a keen interest in other cultures. I am half Armenian so I grew up with another culture as a part of my life. Joining the Peace Corps out of college was a turning point in my life and acted as a springboard to an amazing career in international development. Yep, I have a day job that is pretty amazing.

9. What's in your CD player?
Oh man this is embarrassing! My four year old daughter has suddenly discovered Hanna Montana so I just got her a CD and that happens to be in there right now. I don't put in CDs very often but the CD in before my daughter's was a Mason Jennings CD.

10. What magazine would you love to be on the cover of?
Art Jewelry Magazine wouldn't be half bad!

11. Favorite vacation spot?
I must admit we don't really do big vacations. Every summer my best friend since grade school and I take our kids up to the Wisconsin Dells to hit the water parks. Every year we also say we will never do it again. I wouldn't say it is my favorite vacation spot maybe without the little ones it would be different. I'd much rather be out in the woods in a tent with some close friends and a beer.

12. Can you throw any advice about anything our way?
In life you have to sometimes take chances and try new things...good or bad...you will be better for it.

13. Links where we can find out more about your work.

http://www.ruralabandon.com/
http://www.ruralabandon.blogspot.com/
www.trunkt.org/RuralAbandon