Nicole says on her blog, "My artwork includes mosaics, painted furniture, river rock jewelry, and I incorporate all sorts of funky art with natural and recycled elements. I believe that art should be integrated into people's every day lives, and encourage others to think about how they can transform their living and work spaces to include art."
Nicole does not only design wonderful jewelries but also makes them available for us to buy them through her online shops. Read on the exclusive interview with the talented artist who makes unique jewelry for people who like it to be near nature in every possible sense.
1. Hi Nicole! Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Nicole Ringgold. I am an artist and art lover. I currently work as the Director of an art center, and fill much of my free time with making jewelry. I am an outdoor enthusiast, live in the North Cascade mountains in Washington State where I trail run, bike, hike and ski. I am a traveler, gardener, wife and mother. I love to laugh, and the best presents to give me are natural rocks.
2. Tell us about how did you land up into jewelry making? Did you acquire any professional training?
My art has morphed over the years. I took two silversmithing courses in college (over 20 years ago), loved the process, but assumed it would be too expensive and unrealistic to pursue as a career. For a while I painted murals and furniture, and then moved into public mosaic installations.
When we built our home four years ago, we thought it was important to incorporate as many personal artistic touches as possible. I decided to make all of our cabinet knobs with stones we collected from the river, which was my introduction to drilling holes in rocks and the beginning of my passion for making river rock jewelry.
Two years ago, while biking from Massachusetts to Maine, the time away from home gave me an opportunity to reflect on my own art process. It dawned on me that, if I saved enough money from river rock jewelry sales, I could purchase silversmithing equipment without digging into our family savings. Determined, I managed to save and buy soldering equipment within three months. I haven't turned back since.
an approach to using resources more efficiently through better organization, better education and better design. It’s much more than just recycling. Zero Waste seeks to avoid the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, and to conserve and recover resources.
I'm striving to build and maintain a zero waste jewelry business. To start, each piece of furniture in my studio is reclaimed - old doors transformed to tables, shelves made out of old drawers or wooden crates. Storage containers are recycled bottles and tin cans.
Materials and supplies (silver wire, beads, drill bits, etc) usually arrive in plastic zipper bags. Sometimes there are even two bags, one inside the other. I donate every bag to a local art gallery for their packaging use. I reuse all cardboard boxes and packaging material in my own shipping. Leftover leather or linen cord scraps are used as ribbon, and I use recycled paper to print packing slips, invoices and inventory sheets.
Furthermore, after drilling holes in natural rocks and recycled glass shards to create pendants, I use the plugs to make unusual beads. All scrap metal is saved for future use - my most recent investment was in a rolling mill to transform leftover scraps into metal sheets.
I donate 1% of each jewelry sale to river restoration projects.
It seems that my best sales relate to the stories I share. If someone can relate to the story - my inspiration - they connect more easily with the piece.
6. How do you see the advent of eCommerce and now mCommerce? Share with us your experience as an etailer.
My journey as an e-tailer was happen-stance. In 2011 I started my blog as a way to journal our country lifestyle, share tutorials and inspiration for simple living. I did not anticipate selling any of my work online, but as my jewelry business grew, I quickly realized the importance of having an online presence. Also, I use my website to both inventory and showcase my port folio. My website has played a key role in my successful pursuit of gallery representation.
7. You are a wife, a mother, an artist and a business woman. What is your formula to maintain a balance between your work and personal life? How much time do you give to jewelry making?
Breathe.
I am fortunate to have a supportive family. Like everyone in our culture with busy lives, my husband and I struggle to find and maintain balance. Whenever we're about to collapse, we come together to communicate, make adjustments as needed, and ensure that our priorities are in place.
As the Director of an art center I work 40 hours per week. I try to exercise every day, even if it's just a walk up the hill behind our home. Then, I spend time in my studio almost every night with my daughter working on her own art project or reading at my side. As soon as I complete a new piece, I take photographs, post and share them on the web. I've established a rhythm that fits together like a puzzle.
8. What all do you do to promote your work?
My favorite social media sites are Facebook and Pinterest because I am able to establish a relationship with my audience. I have a website, blog, and sell work on Etsy. My blog has provided high traffic levels to my website, which ultimately results in sales.
9.There must be a long list of compliments you receive? Which one do you cherish the most?
That's a very sweet comment - thank you. For me, the biggest compliment I can receive is a returning customer. That indicates they've connected with my work and are pleased with their purchase.
11. What advice would you like to pass on to budding artists/ sellers?
Hang in there! Don't be too discouraged by hiccups. Instead, view your challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Don't be afraid to self-promote, and remember to pat yourself on the back.
Thank you Nicole for taking out time and doing this interview with us. It was nice to know more about your unique jewelry making. We wish you all the very best for the future.
Stay tuned with E-junkie to get all the updates.
My art has morphed over the years. I took two silversmithing courses in college (over 20 years ago), loved the process, but assumed it would be too expensive and unrealistic to pursue as a career. For a while I painted murals and furniture, and then moved into public mosaic installations.
When we built our home four years ago, we thought it was important to incorporate as many personal artistic touches as possible. I decided to make all of our cabinet knobs with stones we collected from the river, which was my introduction to drilling holes in rocks and the beginning of my passion for making river rock jewelry.
Two years ago, while biking from Massachusetts to Maine, the time away from home gave me an opportunity to reflect on my own art process. It dawned on me that, if I saved enough money from river rock jewelry sales, I could purchase silversmithing equipment without digging into our family savings. Determined, I managed to save and buy soldering equipment within three months. I haven't turned back since.
3. Your jewelries are very different. How did you come up with making them all with recycled things? What are the tools you usually use?
I am a stickler for maintaining as small a footprint on our earth as possible. My goal is to have a zero waste business. Zero waste isan approach to using resources more efficiently through better organization, better education and better design. It’s much more than just recycling. Zero Waste seeks to avoid the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, and to conserve and recover resources.
I'm striving to build and maintain a zero waste jewelry business. To start, each piece of furniture in my studio is reclaimed - old doors transformed to tables, shelves made out of old drawers or wooden crates. Storage containers are recycled bottles and tin cans.
Materials and supplies (silver wire, beads, drill bits, etc) usually arrive in plastic zipper bags. Sometimes there are even two bags, one inside the other. I donate every bag to a local art gallery for their packaging use. I reuse all cardboard boxes and packaging material in my own shipping. Leftover leather or linen cord scraps are used as ribbon, and I use recycled paper to print packing slips, invoices and inventory sheets.
Furthermore, after drilling holes in natural rocks and recycled glass shards to create pendants, I use the plugs to make unusual beads. All scrap metal is saved for future use - my most recent investment was in a rolling mill to transform leftover scraps into metal sheets.
I donate 1% of each jewelry sale to river restoration projects.
4. What is the source of inspiration for you while designing the jewelries?
My jewelry is merely an expression of how I see the world. Although I do find inspiration from others' work, most of my inspiration stems from my natural surroundings - the mountains, river, plants. I take photographs while hiking or meandering the river, and return home filled with ideas for my next creation.
5. What kind of designs are the best sellers on your website? Do you have any personal favorite(s) yourself?
Selling jewelry on the internet presents an immense challenge on a number of levels, including: 1) The buyer usually likes to touch the piece before making the purchase. 2) There are so many jewelry artists at work on the web, so competition is huge. To overcome these hurdles, it's imperative to provide quality photographs, and find a way to connect your audience to each piece. I do that by sharing my inspiration.It seems that my best sales relate to the stories I share. If someone can relate to the story - my inspiration - they connect more easily with the piece.
6. How do you see the advent of eCommerce and now mCommerce? Share with us your experience as an etailer.
My journey as an e-tailer was happen-stance. In 2011 I started my blog as a way to journal our country lifestyle, share tutorials and inspiration for simple living. I did not anticipate selling any of my work online, but as my jewelry business grew, I quickly realized the importance of having an online presence. Also, I use my website to both inventory and showcase my port folio. My website has played a key role in my successful pursuit of gallery representation.
7. You are a wife, a mother, an artist and a business woman. What is your formula to maintain a balance between your work and personal life? How much time do you give to jewelry making?
Breathe.
I am fortunate to have a supportive family. Like everyone in our culture with busy lives, my husband and I struggle to find and maintain balance. Whenever we're about to collapse, we come together to communicate, make adjustments as needed, and ensure that our priorities are in place.
As the Director of an art center I work 40 hours per week. I try to exercise every day, even if it's just a walk up the hill behind our home. Then, I spend time in my studio almost every night with my daughter working on her own art project or reading at my side. As soon as I complete a new piece, I take photographs, post and share them on the web. I've established a rhythm that fits together like a puzzle.
8. What all do you do to promote your work?
My favorite social media sites are Facebook and Pinterest because I am able to establish a relationship with my audience. I have a website, blog, and sell work on Etsy. My blog has provided high traffic levels to my website, which ultimately results in sales.
9.There must be a long list of compliments you receive? Which one do you cherish the most?
That's a very sweet comment - thank you. For me, the biggest compliment I can receive is a returning customer. That indicates they've connected with my work and are pleased with their purchase.
10. What are your future plans regarding your work?
I love how my life as an artist has evolved. Provided I am able to keep a balance and my learning curve does not plateau, I will continue to build my own business. Ultimately, I would like to work full-time as a jewelry artist. I am optimistic, but am pursuing my dream with the knowledge that my family (and our budget) cannot be compromised. In other words, my business must support itself as it grows.11. What advice would you like to pass on to budding artists/ sellers?
Hang in there! Don't be too discouraged by hiccups. Instead, view your challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Don't be afraid to self-promote, and remember to pat yourself on the back.
Thank you Nicole for taking out time and doing this interview with us. It was nice to know more about your unique jewelry making. We wish you all the very best for the future.
Stay tuned with E-junkie to get all the updates.
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