Rising Stars: Meet Jennifer Lesea-Ames

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Lesea-Ames. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m a former fitness trainer and triathlete turned jewelry designer and metalsmith, owner of Jen Lesea Designs, and the owner of Silver Peak Studio, Boulder County’s newest jewelry school. When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, all my art shows canceled and most of my planned revenue vanished. I’m not new to pivoting and adapting, so I thought, “how can I help jewelers keep creating and career jewelers such as myself stay in business?” 

In May 2020, I decided to apply for the Martha Kate Thomas Grant through Boulder County Arts Alliance in order to create a boutique-style jewelry studio where jewelers can rent the studio in a cost-effective manner on an hourly basis. I was awarded the grant in June 2020 and since then, I have hit the ground running! Additionally, I reached out to several very talented metalsmith jewelry instructors, and together, we offer jewelry workshops for those who want to expand their skill set in the world of jewelry making. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have experienced several different obstacles along the way, mainly getting the word out about Silver Peak Studio with a limited marketing budget as well as maintaining a safe environment for students during the pandemic. I developed a COVID-19 safety policy, which includes wearing masks indoors, investing in air purifiers for each room, taking temperatures at the door, implementing a health screening questionnaire, and disinfecting all surfaces after each class. 

The other obstacle was moving the studio from North Boulder to Louisville in April 2021. The commercial real estate market is very tight for smaller industrial spaces so it was a lot of effort and a bit of luck to find our current space, which is perfect for the school. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In addition to being a full-time jewelry designer and metalsmith, I manage all aspects of Silver Peak Studio, from creating the class schedule, managing instructors, marketing, social media, class registration, accounting…I do all the behind-the-scenes tasks. With my team of instructors, we offer and are known for small-group instruction: we have a maximum of five students per workshop so that the students get a lot of hands-on instruction which results in an optimal learning experience. 

I am most proud of my team of instructors: they are experienced, professional, and fun. Each instructor has a unique skill set which allows us to offer metalsmithing jewelry classes that are a bit different from other schools. Without them, none of this would be possible! 

In addition to the small group class instruction, I have set us apart by offering events such as our Ladies’ Night out, where women get to make a jewelry project and then enjoy a catered Happy Hour on our deck, which has ample seating and mountain views. I also offer private events, such as corporate or bridal party gathering which are organized in the same fashion as our Ladies’ night Out. Lastly, I have created the world’s first Jewelry Adventure School Retreat. Offered on a quarterly basis, this three-day retreat is two days of metalsmithing classes and one day of recreation, which also includes all meals and an evening studio Happy Hour. 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have learned to find creative solutions and to keep the faith. This is my full-time business and how I support myself and my family, so quitting is not an option. I have also learned that people, no more than ever, crave human connection. I am happy to have created a space where people can gather in small groups and have fun learning how to metalsmith jewelry or refining their metalsmithing skills. 

Pricing:

• 1-day workshops: $160-$175
• Ladies’ Night Out: $35
• Open Studio: $15/hr
• Jewelry Adventure School: $450-$500

Contact Info:

• Email: info@silverpeakstudio.com
• Website: https://silverpeakstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/silverpeakstudioco
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/silverpeakstudio

Image Credits
Lisa Doane Photography