Janine DeCresenzo: Playing the Long Game as a Working Artist (Art Shows, Business Shifts, & Sustainability)

In this episode of Slowmade, I’m joined by Janine DeCresenzo, a studio jeweler who has spent more than twenty years supporting herself through her craft — largely on the art show circuit.Janine shares what it’s really been like to build a life around travel, art festivals, and face-to-face connection with customers, and what that path has taught her about community, stamina, safety, and the long game of being a working artist. We talk honestly about the physical and emotional toll of show life, how priorities shift over time, and what it looks like to step back without walking away from the work you’ve built.Our conversation also explores Janine’s recent business shifts — leaning more into custom work, home trunk shows, and creating a model that feels more balanced and sustainable in this season of her life. We spend time talking about learning as an artist, staying curious, and even how Janine is thoughtfully exploring AI as a tool to support the business side of her work, freeing up more time for the studio.This is a grounded, generous conversation about evolving without erasing your past, listening to what your life is asking for now, and trusting that a creative career doesn’t have to stay fixed to remain meaningful.In this episode, we talk about:Building a full-time jewelry career through art shows and travelWhat 20+ years on the art show circuit really looks likeSafety, stamina, and self-care on the roadChoosing a slower, more balanced business modelCustom work and building deeper client relationshipsStaying curious and continuing to learn as an artistUsing AI as a supportive business tool (not a creative replacement)Playing the long game as a working artistConnect with Janine:Website: janinedecresenzojewelry.comInstagram: @decresenzojwlryLove the Podcast?Support an episode: ⁠Click here to learn more!⁠Without your support I couldn’t continue the Slowmade Podcast. Thank you so much!Follow Christine and Slowmade...Instagram: ⁠@christinemighion⁠Jewelry Website: ⁠christinemighion.com⁠Slowmade: ⁠slowmadepodcast.com