Morag Budgeon is an active member of Grey and Bruce's artistic community, a jeweler who creates identifiable original designs from sterling silver with accents of 14K yellow gold and copper out of her Owen Sound studio, and is the manager of Owen Sound Artists' Co-op. I consider Morag a mentor and a friend, and met her when I was still in high school and was looking for a co-op placement at the Co-op - ironically, I had already been a friend of her daughter's at the time, and we all had a good laugh about it.
I chose Morag to interview for these reasons, as she was the one who really helped me work up the confidence to try my hand at studying art myself.
How did you get started in the field?
After
graduating from 3 years in Jewellery and Metalwork at Georgian College
in Barrie, I set up a home studio to develop by body of work, but also
worked for another jeweller as well as for a metalworker. The things I
learned from my two jobs outside of my studio, gave me the confidence
and information needed to start up my own successful jewellery business.
What has your artists journey been like?
I
have been very fortunate in my journey as an artist. I have had the
support and mentorship of other artists both in my medium and outside
my medium. Living in a smaller community (Owen Sound, Ontario), I have
been able to develop strong community connections and played a part in
my towns art and culture scene. I have been able to
work continuously at my art for 25 years!
What kind of education, internships or mentorships did you need to pursue in order to realize your work?
In
order to understand what type of jewellery I wanted to make, and how I
wanted my career to unfold, it was necessary for me to attend College
and learn as much as I could about the field. Did I want to work for
myself, or for someone else? Did I want to make fine jewellery in gold
and platinum, set stones or costume jewellery, or work exclusively in
sterling silver? What techniques did I want to focus on? By learning
as much as I could, and working for others along the way, I was able to
decide that I wanted to be a studio jeweller, working for myself with
my studio in my home, giving me flexible hours and allowing me to be at
home for my children when they were young!
What do you think the most important personal qualities to develop to pursue a work practice like yours?
In
order to work for yourself in a craft like jewellery, pottery, textiles
etc….it is important to be self motivated and determined! It is very
easy to find something else to do, particularly when your studio is in
your home, so setting up a work routine is the key to success. You are
in charge of everything, sourcing materials, advertising and promotion,
designing, fabrication and finishing, display, packaging, and financials
among may other things. The decisions and tasks are endless so it is
important to be focused and undaunted by bigger picture!
Can you tell me about a mentor and what was an important piece of advice they gave you?
Early
in my career I worked for a decorative metalworker as his welder. He
had been a jeweller for many years before he changed mediums to steel.
The first few shows I attended, my display was cumbersome and my stock
too varied. He helped me understand that often simpler is better! KISS….keep it simple stupid. To
many different styles of jewellery can be overwhelming, and a simple,
stylish display will allow the product the shine. He also helped
me understand how to value my own work and make sure that I did not
undersell myself or my work!
What is your workspace like?
I
have a small studio in my home. Jewellers can work in a very tiny
footprint, and my studio is 10ft by 5ft. I can sit in the middle of my
space on a rolling chair, and reach all my tools and stations without
standing up! I like having everything within arms reach. I have a
radio and listen to CBC. When I am working, I am the very informed
about world events!
What is your typical day like?
A
typical day working in the studio is a long day. I prefer to work long
hours for fewer days than short hours over more days. I will often
work 12 to 14 hours, remaining focused on my task.
How do you make new contacts and promote yourself?
Early
in my career, I attending wholesale shows focusing on handmade items,
as well as higher end craft shows around Ontario. The more shows I
attended, the more information I received from other makers about what
shows would draw the clients and the crowds that my style of jewellery
would appeal to. Basically, you have to get out and about
in your field! The more people you meet, the more opportunities to move
forward in your career. I began my career long before the
explosion of social media. If I wanted gallery to carry my work, I
would approach them personally with samples of my work. Things have
changed drastically over the last 25 years with the many ways social
media can promote and inform, however, I still feel that seeing and
touching my craft is the best way to promote it!
What made you choose your field?
From
a young age I knew that I would follow a career in art. After a few
false starts, I started making costume jewellery as a hobby, and
discovered that I excelled at the focus and fine motor skills needed to
create small items. I had never explored the world of craft, and was
only really aware of illustration, graphic and fine art. I returned to
College as a mature student in my late 20’s and spent 3 years at
Georgian College taking Jewellery and Metalwork.
Do you have any further advice for learning artists?
Believe
in yourself and follow a path that makes you happy. Don’t dismiss the
idea of making decent money from your art, it is a job, therefore you
need to have compensation. Don’t take yourself too seriously, not
everyone will like what you do….if everyone in the world found the same
things appealing, what a boring place it would be! Be kind and generous
to your fellow artists, they are the only other people who understand
what drives you and what it is that you actually do!
