Local jewelry artist Nancy Lee’s gallery at the Circle City Industrial Complex on Brookside is a mainstay for art lovers at First Friday events for a few years. Her passion for metalworking and jewelry design has been going on for 20 years — and has led her into the very different world of book publishing.
“I’ve always liked tiny things. I’m very detail oriented . . . and have been since I was a child,” Nancy said. “I still have one of my first toys, which is a one-inch plastic teddy bear made by Mattel. I loved the tiny little ears. I keep him in a safe and take him out to look at him sometimes.”
That love of detail and small things lead her to making polymer clay beads and jewelry 20 years ago, and then to a class in metalsmithing at the Indianapolis Art Center so she could learn how to make her own clasps and fittings. After one class working with metal, she never made another polymer clay bead. She’s been working with metal exclusively for 14 years.
One of Nancy’s beautiful original designs.
Inspired by sculpture, the lines of fine furniture, architecture, and nature, Nancy has built up a steady clientele for her unique jewelry. She is an Indiana Artisan, and she teaches classes at the Indianapolis Art Center (the next classes are in September). She’s also been on the board of the Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association (IDADA) for 5 years, and is currently serving as Vice President of the organization.
In addition, Nancy has started the Indy Metalsmith Guild, which has been a goal of hers for five or six years. “We now have 62 members. There was definitely a void there. Metalsmiths wanted to get out of their basements and get with other metalsmiths. It’s been great.”
Nancy works primarily in silver and copper, and a little in gold and aluminum. Most of her work is custom made for clients, though she also sells pieces in her gallery and other places around town. And her work is reaching a whole new audience with the release of her new book about metalsmithing.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Making Metal Jewelry is on the shelves of bookstores around the country. Nancy said that she was approached by an editor at the publisher of the Complete Idiot’s guides with a proposal to write a book about making metal jewelry. “I sent a writing sample, some photos, and a chapter outline. They really liked it, so they offered me a contract, and I started writing.” She started the project in July 2012, and found a different kind of challenge than she finds at the workbench. “I was surprised. It’s just you and that keyboard and that blank screen.”
While writing the book was a new challenge for her, she’s proud of what emerged. “I can look at it and say ‘This is mine. I did this.’ That’s a great feeling.” On August 6, she launched the book at Indy Reads Books on Mass Ave., giving a sidewalk demonstration of basic metalsmithing skills to boot.
Nancy is excited about what the future holds for her creatively and business-wise. “The business has really been taking off. I have lots of custom work scheduled. And I’m learning more and more all the time. I have a thirst for more knowledge about metalsmithing, and everything, really.” Then she added, “I have the best job in the world.”
To see more of Nancy’s designs and workshops, visit www.ndesignsmetal.com
