Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Gray.
Courtney, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I began creating jewelry in my early 20’s. I love the permanence, sentimental qualities and function of jewelry and metalworking. I started my own studio in my garage in North Austin at the age of 23 and began offering custom design work, mainly to friends and family at first. The word of mouth spread, and I was eventually able to sustain my creative business. I made everything from wedding and engagement rings to custom pendants. I became known for taking heirloom pieces and remaking and repurposing them for clients. I truly enjoy this work because it is very one on one, it challenges my intuition and ability to zoom into the best way to help people express themselves through jewelry. After developing my custom design business, I began teaching jewelry making at a local art school in Austin, TX. This led me to open what is now considered one of the most credible and fastest growing schools in the nation, Creative Side Jewelry Academy of Austin. Here we have the honor and privilege to offer workshops and master classes in the trade. We serve and educate over 2500 students per year and host classes with both local and worldwide instructors and students. Creative Side offers kids classes, a coaching program for aspiring creatives and entrepreneurs, studio rental, “Forged Together” where couples can work one on one with a master goldsmith to create their own wedding rings, and much more. I consider it incredibly creative to facilitate for others who are starting their own journey in the craft.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
When I take on a custom project, I usually work in Gold, Platinum or Silver. I love creating pieces that are of a personal meaning to my clients. My favorite situations, for example, are when someone comes to me and is mourning the loss of their grandmother, and they want to re-purpose her opal into a special ring or pendant for themselves. Or perhaps your spouse proposed with a twist tie and you want to recreate that gesture into a 14K gold ring. I love getting one on one with clients to honor these situations. I find these wearable art pieces incredibly meaningful and important, and I love the idea that they may be passed down for generations. It is a fun, collaborative process to work with me, as we dive into the meaning behind the piece, design, and sketch together. I get to educate them on what is possible with certain materials and budgets. It is incredibly gratifying to present a finished piece to a client and watch them light up or tear up. The creative coach in me loves putting people at ease as they navigate a large purchase or a huge commitment like an engagement ring. Many are nervous or don’t have enough information. I consider it my service as a jeweler and artist to help them navigate and find the joy in the experience and of course to bring their vision to fruition.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
As I dive in deeper to my service as a creative coach I like to encourage my clients, students and aspiring artisan’s in any craft to never give up on their vision. Take some action every day towards your goals, and you will see results in time. Be patient with the process and with yourself. Surround yourself with those who are achieving or attempting to obtain similar goals. Don’t be afraid to fail or take risk, as failure is where the learning begins, and without risk, there is no success. Onward and Upward!
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work can be found online at www.courtneygrayarts.com where you can also read the stories of my clients and the intention of the pieces as you scroll over the images. My school and workshops can be found at www.creativeside.org.
We teach jewelry skills and empower people of all ages and backgrounds all year round and have a number of weekend workshops for out of towners. Call us to set up a tour or with any questions 512-799-0731. Also, visit www.forgedtogether.com and learn more about how couples can experience engagement and create each other’s wedding rings or engagement pieces.
Contact Info:
- Address: Creative Side Jewelry Academy
321 West Ben white Blvd ste. 204
Austin, TX 78704 - Website: www.creativeside.org, www.courtneygrayarts.com, www.forgedtogether.com
- Phone: 512-799-0731
- Email: info@creativeside.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativesidejewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativesideaustin/
Image Credit:
My staff
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