Daily Inspiration: Meet Hannah Weber

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Weber.

Hannah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always wanted to do something creative, but there was really no alternative for me. When I was young I wanted to be a tattooer, but was encouraged to go to college. In 2010 I began my journey at Metro and signed up for a sculpture class. The class ended up being a bronze casting class which really ignited my love and interest for working in metal. I ended up graduating with a BFA with a concentration in metalsmithing in 2016.

After college, I’ve taken numerous classes at places like BOMA, Ghost Ranch, and the New Approach school, but what has truly given me the most experience was being a bench jeweler for a local jewelry company for the past 6 years. The repetitiveness and high volume have really helped me become the multifaceted jeweler I am today.

Now I am going full force into Goodluck Handmade, something I have never quite taken the jump into. I was faced with a decision that I didn’t anticipate, and I chose to believe in myself and haven’t looked back since.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It takes time to truly understand the material, not to mention every type of metal works in different ways and requires different care. Some of the bigger struggles are financial, tools are incredibly expensive and gold has reached an all-time high.

It was difficult to find my artistic voice while being employed as a production jeweler, where I needed to mass produce someone else’s art. It’s taken a long time to find out what is “me” and what people want to pay for, but it’s all an experience and I wouldn’t have been here now if it wasn’t for my path.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I make fine jewelry with gold, silver, and precious and semi-precious stones. What is unique about my work is the lapidary – the art of cutting and arranging rocks. This skill allows me to source rough materials and manipulate them in a way to makes them meld with my work.

Recently I have really been focusing on black and white, black jade, and mother of pearl specifically. I’m having fun creating structured patterns with these materials, and highlighting them with gold charms inlaid in the material and diamonds. My work is different because of the skills and experience I have.

I can do a little bit of everything without stretching myself too thin and I am proud of finding a space for me and my work and aesthetic in the jewelry world. I am putting my focus into fine jewelry with faceted stones and gold, especially engagement, to continue to not only push the envelope but my skill set.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
The Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight is a must for any new jeweler! I love to get historical jewelry books from the library, but during work, I just listen to a LOT of true crime/thriller books and podcasts.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/goodluck_handmade
• Website: goodluckhandmade.com