Metal Clay with Carrie Story

Throughout her career, Carrie Story has proven herself as an expert designer, an accomplished jewelry maker and an enthusiastic instructor. From an early age, Carrie exhibited an interest in the creative arts and garnered recognition in college, winning a state award in graphic design for four custom pieces showcased in area museums.

In 2005, Carrie began creating beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings and soon after established her own business, Divine Ornaments. Carrie quickly developed a passion for metal clay after taking several classes, which fueled her desire to share her vast knowledge with students. Known for her approachable and dynamic teaching style, Carrie maintains an enjoyable atmosphere where students feel free to express their own gifts and talents while focusing on technical aspects in an entertaining manner. Carrie’s dedication to teaching is obvious to her students.

Carrie currently serves as a Contributing Artist for Metal Clay Today and has been galleried in Metal Clay Artist Magazine. Carrie’s work is shown and sold in galleries throughout the east coast. Recently, Carrie was featured in Thrive Magazine and The Cheraw Chronicle as a rising new jewelry artist. Carrie is a Certified PMC Instructor and teaches throughout the United States. Carrie is committed to her own professional development and continuously seeks out opportunities to improve her skills so that she can best serve her class.

Heather: We are on the phone with Carrie Story. Carrie, how are you doing today?

Carrie: Great! How are you?

Heather: Good thanks! Thanks for taking the time to do this interview with us today. Let’s start by telling everyone what medium you primarily work in and basically how you arrived there?

Carrie: I am a metal clay artist. I primarily work in silver clay. It’s basically the only thing I do anymore. I was beading for probably ten years or so as a hobby and always had that desire to make something higher end and a little bit more valuable. I thought I was taking a silversmithing class and ended up with a metal clay class and fell in love the minute I did it. I’ve been doing it for 5 years now.

Heather: Great. What tools do you use most often?

Carrie: I use a combination. Metal clay is one of those things; there are two different aspects to it. There are clay tools and metalsmithing tools. Of my clay tools, my favorite thing is called a water pen it’s just a goofy little water brush and simple carbon tools. On the metalsmithing end of it, I think my flex shaft has to be my favorite tool ever.

Heather: Cool. What’s your favorite way to finish a piece or your favorite effect?

Carrie: I got a new toy! Actually for Christmas my husband bought me a pen plating system so that has been my new fun little thing I’ve been doing since the holidays is plating every piece of jewelry I have.

Heather: How fun! What advice would you give a beginning who’s maybe intimidated by how intricate the process seems?

Carrie: Actually metal clay is not difficult at all. There are a couple simple rules and if you learn the science behind firing metal clay, you can really do the rest very easily. Trying it on your own the first time is not difficult but you don’t want to do a complicated project on your own. Once you learn how to fire from a professional metal clay artist who can explain the science behind it and once that happens, it’s a piece of cake. It’s really not rocket science at all. It’s extremely easy and not very cost inhibitive once you understand how to work it properly.

Heather: Once you make a piece you’re happy with where does it go?

Carrie: I sell most of my stuff in art galleries across the country. I do a little bit of a combination: I sell some pieces at local shows I attend but most of my stuff goes into art galleries that way I can put it out there and let someone else work on it. I get a lot of good feedback that way. Little more honesty there.

Heather: Great! What gives you inspiration to try new things and what keeps you motivated?

Carrie: The motivation is probably challenges. The inspiration: it’s funny but Pinterest has changed my life! I can sit there as long as I don’t have something I’m working on, I could sit there and scroll through the pictures on Pinterest for hours. Every once in a while I’ll see one that really is a combination of things, this particular thing on the piece and this inspiration on this and all the sudden I have this brilliant idea.

Heather: That’s great. So you’ve been making and teaching jewelry for several years, what have you noticed about your work that’s evolved?

Carrie: The little detail. Really that comes from my students and my commission dates. When people call me and ask me to make that specific piece, it takes me much longer to do that because I really have to plan it out and think about how to accomplish what they want me to make. I would say on my more intricate pieces the amount of time and detail I’ve put into them has really evolved.

Heather: What’s something you’ve learned from one of your students?

Carrie: All kinds of things! I think my favorite students have to be the metalsmiths. We’re so completely from two different worlds that we can share information with each other. My favorite one was a metalsmith who loved the polishing part. It was great when she sat down and explained to me how she does different polishes and what tools to use to do them. I was in heaven!

Heather: That’s great, the teacher is learning as well! Well thanks Carrie. Carrie is going to be out with us at the JOGS show for her second year. You can go to www.jewelrytools.com/classes to sign up for her classes and they’re going to be absolutely wonderful. Thanks for taking the time and sharing some of your knowledge.

Carrie: Hope to see you all there!