Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Hagerman.
Hi Amanda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My passion for jewelry-making was born out of a love for art-making in general. In high school, I lived in the art room. One of my high school art teachers was (still is) a goldsmith. Those introductory classes to lost wax casting is where my journey with jewelry began. After high school, I attended Kutztown University of PA, where I double majored in art education and fine arts (with a concentration in fine metals). This is where I gained the skillset needed to become a jeweler, learning a vast array of traditional metalsmithing techniques as well as honing my lost wax casting skills. Upon college graduation in 2008, the country was in a recession, and I found myself looking for a full-time art teaching job with benefits and job security. My passion for metalworking took a back seat for this moment in my life. I began teaching high school art for Anne Arundel County, MD, and it’s this job that led to my husband and I living in the DMV. In 2013 I established a studio space where I could pick up my metalworking tools and start creating jewelry again. In 2016, I left teaching to focus on my jewelry business full-time. Now in 2023, I’ve been doing this for 7 years full-time. My jewelry collection has truly grown and evolved over this period. What began as a small collection in metals like brass and silver has flourished into a well-rounded fine jewelry collection in solid 18K gold with diamonds and precious gems.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Finding my footing as a jewelry designer and full-time business owner after leaving teaching full-time was a whirlwind, stressful, scary, yet exciting experience. I had so much to learn about running a business (and I’m still learning!) and finding a sense of self and community. For 8 years, my identity was high school art teacher, so in the beginning, finding that new identity and owning it was challenging. But I just stayed true to myself and just kept on working hard. It took a few years to really find my voice as a designer and establish what I wanted out of my business. I’ve learned to ask for help from experts when needed and that continuing education is always valuable.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I consider myself a small-scale sculptor who plays with texture and line inspired by nature and antiquity. My goal is to balance raw qualities and sophisticated charm, with each piece embracing its handmade quality, never presenting a machine-made aesthetic. My jewelry is crafted using a variety of traditional and old-world metalsmithing techniques, with an emphasis on lost wax casting. I take pride in completing all stages of the casting process in my studio and in some designs, cast the stones directly in place. My work consists of one-of-a-kind designs as well as my collection of Mainstays. It’s important to me that my pieces are heirloom quality, therefore I choose to work exclusively in solid 18K gold with ethically sourced gems, diamonds, and pearls.
I’m most proud of the fact that my pieces are completed 100% in-house, exclusively by me. I believe this, along with my process as a whole, sets my jewelry collection apart from other fine jewelry. When you purchase a piece of my jewelry, you are purchasing a piece of art that has been molded by my hands and heart.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Currently, my jewelry is sold on my website, as well as in a few store locations. I also participate in several fine arts and craft shows throughout the year in the Mid-Atlantic region. I’m open to doing trunk shows with local businesses looking to feature a fine jewelry designer!
Pricing:
- $290 – $8000
Contact Info:
- Website: amandahagermanjewelry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandahagermanjewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandahagermanjewelry/
