Mill tenants Alison Jefferies (J’Adorn Designs) and Jessica McGrath (Studio JmcG) jointly operate a studio here at Savage Mill, producing pieces of delicate jewelry that require considerable skill and an artistic eye. This Saturday they are participating in Artist Open Studios, a wonderful opportunity for visitors to go behind the scenes and see how the magic happens.
What is the idea behind Artist Open Studios?
“A rising tide lifts all boats”. -John F. Kennedy
Artists from all over Maryland come together to promote their art. Artists work together to promote other Artists and give the larger community an opportunity to support their local artists and makers while learning about what it is that we do and seeing where we make our work. A map of all the participating studios can be viewed here.
J’Adorn Designs
Is this the first time Artist Open Studios is taking place?
A similar event was produced by the Maryland Federation of the Arts in years past. This year, it’s being spearheaded by abstract artist Jen Sterling as an event hosted and promoted by the artists themselves.
Jessica McGrath at work in her studio
What can people expect to see and experience if they come to your studio on April 13?
Jessica: We will be showing our work and demonstrating how it is made.
Studio JmcG
Alison: Between the hours of 10am-4pm we will host an open studio with refreshments, an in-studio pop-up shop with our work available to purchase, and demonstrations of the methods we use here including traditional fabrication, lost wax casting, stone setting, and beading. Our open studio is part of a larger state-wide event including over 30 artists from multiple cities including Annapolis, Clarksville, Dayton, East New Market, Easton, Edgewater, Millersville, Pasadena, Queenstown, Savage, Silver Spring, Stevensville, St. Michael’s, Tilghman, and Trappe. Visitors are encouraged to make a day of it, support local artists, and visit multiple studios to learn about various forms of art and craft!
J’Adorn Designs
How would you describe your style?
Alison: Much of my work features colorful gemstones, which I incorporate via casting, traditional stone setting, and beadwork to create an organic and often botanical aesthetic. As someone with sensitivity to heavy jewelry myself, I always keep wearability in mind and intentionally design my jewelry to be as lightweight and comfortable as possible. I also offer adaptations such as magnetic clasps to accommodate clients with mobility and dexterity difficulties. Ultimately, I aim to create beautiful and meaningful pieces that inspire confidence and can be worn by people from all walks of life.
J’Adorn Designs
Jessica: My jewelry is a study of color, texture, and geometric shape. Color is applied to my work through the process of enamel, powder coating, and thread. Texture is added by etching on metal and by using hand-fabricated texture plates, which are made from details found in photos taken on my travels.
Studio JmcG
Where do you find inspiration?
Jessica: I strive to create versatile, modern and functional jewelry that draws its creative vision from the pairing of contrasting details of color palettes from coastal scenery and man made architecture. My work is both bold and timeless at the same time. Easy to get noticed and easy to wear. I am fascinated by taking ancient metals techniques and incorporating them in modern design. In my work I use granulation (fusing metal spheres to sheet metal), Keum boo (laminating 24K gold to fine silver) and enamel (fusing glass to metal). All ancient techniques that I use to transform the modern forms and lines of my work.
Studio JmcG
Alison: I am inspired by botanical and organic forms, which feature prominently in my work from natural objects and wax sculptures that I cast into metal, to more interpreted elements expressed through fabrication and wire-wrapping. I’m also inspired by the tradition of family heirlooms and the paradoxical ways that a piece of jewelry can tangibly represent our most deeply held values and sentiments that are otherwise intangible. I believe our heirlooms reflect what we value most and have the power to shape the future. In recent years, I have focused on expanding my body of work to include people of multiple gender expressions.
J’Adorn Designs
Please explain a little about your journey of establishing your business, and how you chose Savage Mill to be your home.
Alison: I created my first set of custom jewelry as a bridesmaids’ gift when I got married in 2011 – a sterling silver necklace and earrings set with freshwater pearls and sea glass. After moving to Maryland as a newlywed, I opened a small online shop in early 2012 as a self-taught designer. In the years since, I have expanded my skillset as a jeweler through continued education, built a lasting and award-winning business and shown my work at local and regional fine art and craft shows. I specialize in custom designs and cherish the opportunity to connect with clients to make a special piece to honor what they value most in life.
J’Adorn Designs
Jessica: I chose Savage Mill because I love that it was once a functioning mill. I like working in an older building. Sustainability is important to me and a large part of my brand so it just makes sense. I also like the feeling of community between the tenants. Form, line, shape and color have always intrigued me. I first became drawn to jewelry at one of the early stops in travels with my husband when I worked as a jewelry and accessories buyer for a major department store. I was amazed by the fabrication and design process. The possibilities of what could be made seemed endless. This awe and wonder led me to take classes, which led to a life of learning, making and teaching.
Studio JmcG