Nisa Smiley: Finding Inspiration in Maine's Natural Beauty, Trust and Joy as a Guiding Force, & the Artistic and Emotional Value of Jewelry

Today I'm chatting with the very talented Nisa Smiley! We touch on so many good things like allowing trust and joy to be your guide in life and your art. I can certainly get caught up in the mind chatter telling me to be mindful that I need to make work that will pay the bills.  We also talk about the artistic and emotional value of our work to our customers. Although we don't spend a lot of time on this topic, I really think it's worth paying attention to. About Nisa... Growing up in northern New England, Nisa spent her early years in the beautiful woods and mountains, but her draw to the seaside has been present all along. At 18, she left her beloved mountains and moved to the coast. Decades later, she is still there, entranced by the inexhaustible abundance of inspiration from her natural surroundings. Nisa earned her BFA from the Maine College of Art in 2000, and then settled in Downeast Maine soon thereafter to start her family. In 2006 she founded NISA Jewelry, and since then her work has been shown in juried fine craft shows, galleries, private trunk shows, public shows, and published in multiple books and publications. She is also a seasoned teacher, and loves assisting others in their creative pursuits. She has taught countless private and public workshops, for both older children and adults, and is a certified Precious Metal Clay instructor, as well as a Master for the Craft Apprentice Program (Maine). These days, Nisa can often be found in her sunny studio in downtown Ellsworth, Maine (if it’s summer, she can also be found at the beach, or at the J.McVeigh Jewelry gallery in Stonington, Maine), immersed in a plethora of organic found objects, gemstones, and precious metals. Her studio is not public, but visits by appointment are most welcome. Her latest work can be found in select galleries, as well as on her website and social media accounts (Instagram and Facebook). Website: nisajewelry.com Instagram: @nisajewelry Love the show? Please consider supporting the podcast by joining our Slowmade Community on Patreon. Thank you! You can find Christine on Instagram @christinemighion