When Nancy Lee displays her nDesigns Metal Jewelry and Objects at the newly formed Flame Art Studios in Indianapolis, some of her biggest fans will be the ones that she has met online. That is because Lee uses social media like Facebook, Twitter, and a blog to help her broaden her reach from a local business to a global one.
Lee is the owner of nDesigns and is a contemporary designer and accomplished metalsmith working in copper, silver, brass, and gold. Through her business she both designs and sells jewelry as well as teaches jewelry classes. While Lee sells only a small amount of her designs at her online Etsy store, she credits the Internet with giving her the opportunity to expand sales outside her geographical area. Online groups have also helped her to connect with other local artists in the area. For example, through Smaller Indiana she organized with other artists to form the Elegant Funk show in 2008.
Aside from social media, Lee also uses the Internet as a resource for her business. The Ganoksin Project hosts an online forum called "Orchid" where gem and jewelry people can go and ask questions and get answers. You can find Lee’s work online in four juried flickr groups: Society of North American Goldsmiths, Metalsmiths Unite, Jewelers, Metalsmiths and Lapidarists Professional Group, Metalicious.
Lee and two partners, Jari Sheese and Bonnie Ramirez, are inviting the public to celebrate the opening of their venture, Flame Art Studios, on February 5 from 6-9pm. The classroom area will be open and visitors can see examples of metalsmithing, jewelry fabrication, sculpture, Precious Metal Clay, beading, lampworking, enameling, and welding.
You can find out more about Lee, nDesigns Metal Jewelry and Objects, and Flame Art Studios at http://www.ndesignsmetal.com/.
Comments
Tricia, thank you so very much for this nice article! It's sure to spur interest in the studio and in some of the online forums I've been using. Bonnie, Jari and I are anticipating a busy grand opening on Friday, and lots of visitors after that, both online and in person! Thanks again for helping to promote a local small business.
Good article! At first I didn't think I could make it to the opening... but now it looks like I'll be there.
Congrats Nancy & crew!
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