Congratulations to Susan Gini-Jones, winner of the Intermediate category in The Stuff of Legend Challenge! Her winning piece, Goddess, is a fine silver ring.
Susan’s inspiration for the ring came from a cruise she took to Greece and Italy with five girlfriends. All the Greek and Roman statues loomed large at every stop, representing the past and its power. Susan felt her group of friends are all goddesses in their own right: strong and using their love to uplift everyone around them. She was inspired to create the Goddess ring and plans to have it cast for each of her goddess girlfriends as a symbol of their friendship.
“I originally made the face with a bezel cup between the eyes to set a stone,” said Susan. “I realized that I wanted to cast this piece and make more, but when I took it to get a professional mold created, the bezel cup did not translate. I then sanded off the bezel cup and refired the ring with more silver to fill in the indent with lavender oil and fine silver.
“I will be making more but will cast them in different ring sizes. I also want to set stones after firing using a traditional metal smithing method. For the other nature pieces I sell, I tried having them cast professionally, but it was just as much work refining the pieces and removing the sprue, so I create each piece from the original molds I created myself.”
Susan’s Metal Clay Journey
“I was taking pottery classes in Halifax, Canada, and decided to try the metal clay for beginners class offered at the same location. My first teacher was Pam Feindel, now our AMCAW President. Ironically, I went back to my pottery teacher after the first class and said, “I don’t think metal clay is for me.” But since 2012, I have been creating with metal clay and selling my work.
“I am a creative junkie. I take classes in all different mediums such as glass, pottery and textiles. Metal clay has been a primary source of income for me in the last 12 years and helps to support my creative habits. I recently retired my retail clothing and jewelry store and now have the time to create again!
“Since joining AMCAW as a volunteer, I have expanded my technology skills and have for the first time watched tutorials and participated in challenges. I prefer in-person classes, but with all the resources of AMCAW online, I am slowly learning to take advantage of all the perks of being an AMCAW member. I won’t lie, I am really looking forward to the workshops at Sinter24!”
Susan has also taken a number of classes and workshops, which have resulted in some of her favorite pieces. “I made a Quartz Buddha copper piece in one of Robert Dancik’s classes at a Mojo. I absolutely loved the architectural week workshop I took with Hadar Jacobson, making quite a few building rings and necklaces that sit on my shelf in my studio. I also love my locket piece I made with Terry Kovalcik (he taught me to refine, refine, refine). I recently made a lentil moon pendant that flips from the dark side of the moon to the bright side of the moon with clear CZs. (I call it my menopausal moon, if you see that I am wearing it on the black side, run!)”
When asked what advice she would give others about entering challenges, Susan replied: “Entering a challenge will challenge you to create something new and different. It pushes your boundaries and makes you a better artist. Just do it!”
About Susan
“I live in downtown Toronto, Canada,” says Susan. “I am in the process of building a laneway house where I will move my studio when it is complete. I am so tired of having my studio spread out in my bedroom, dining room table and unfinished basement. Having a dedicated space will be so much better!
“I moved to Toronto from Halifax eight years ago, and I do miss my metal clay friends in Halifax. There is a great group of ladies there led by Pam Feindel. I love to travel to metal clay events and have made so many great friends along the way. Being a volunteer with AMCAW has reconnected me with many of the friends I have made over the years at metal clay classes and events.”
Find Susan online at fiveislandstudio.com, and at susanginijones@gmail.com.
