Happy St. Patty's Day!
Finally! Technology has been giving me a bit of a time this morning, I've been off to a rough start. Now I've got my computer behaving properly, I can finally share this awesome interview, and this sweet give-away. Chris Parry is one of my favorite Etsy metalsmiths for several reasons. One: Chris's charm and smarts in the Etsy forums is addicting. I am always looking out for the next clever post. Two: sleek, simple designs which manage to be completely unique, such as: Boyfriend Just Dumped Me Sterling Silver Ice Cream Spoon:
Three: Chris probably has a really swanky accent, which is always a major plus.
This week's lucky Metalsmith Monday winner will receive one very stylish sterling silver "Dream" ring, customized with a word of your choice. Sweet.
WIN A DREAM RING! READ CONTEST RULES!:
MEET THE FABULOUS CHRIS PARRY
Tell us the story behind the name Chris Parry. Yes, it is the most redundant
question ever, but I ask it, so get creative!
You would have to go to my parents to blame
them for the name Chris Parry.
Who is behind Chris Parry? (again.. stupidity) How did it start?
I was 30 and looked around at my life and
realised that a dozen years had passed by since I left school and I had ended
up in a managerial job. So I took stock, made some decisions and handed my
notice in.
The next mid-life crisis thing I did was to
enroll at The London Guildhall University to study a degree in Silversmithing
and Jewellery design. Having completed my degree, I decided that I wanted to
design and make jewellery and the obvious name to put above the door was mine.
How long have you been creating your artistic metal pieces? Give the world a
little background.
I have been making jewellery since the day
I enrolled at the University and started selling items not long thereafter.
I set up my own personal website http://www.chris-parry.co.uk in 2001,
and have sold exclusively from that site until 2007, when I opened my
shop/workshop. I opened my Etsy shop in 2007 having stumbled upon the site. http://www.chrisparry.etsy.com
What inspires you?
I love walking around London and just popping into all the fab Museums there. Such as the Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Natural History Museum. I take my sketch book and just love a day out doing visual research.
Do you have a personal design philosophy?
The vast majority of my work is designing
and making jewellery to the clients own request. I simply act as a tool for
them to get their ideas into a 3D piece of jewellery. My own personal design philosophy is to
create simple pieces beautifully made. One of my tutors at the University was a
guy called Malcolm. His standards of finishing a piece were extremely high, so
my mantra is simply “Would Malcolm consider this finished?”
Where is your work sold? Where can people find you?
I don’t supply wholesale so people will
have to track me down which is kinda easy. I sell my high-end stuff on my
personal website http://www.chris-parry.co.uk
and I sell simple silver jewellery on Etsy. http://www.chrisparry.etsy.com and
if you are a real person and want to visit a real shop, then pop into my shop /
workshop in Gravesend, Kent, UK.
What's your bestseller?
My bestseller on my website would be the
“Tension Major” engagement ring. I make all my items from scratch and can
tailor the design to each client’s own requirements.
In My Etsy shop, these “Dream….” rings sell
really well. They can be personalised with your own word/quote/phrase. I am
giving ONE of these sterling silver rings away in the “Haiku” contest. So have
a go and one of these rings could be yours.
Describe your biggest artistic disaster to date.
When I was at University I did a spot of
work experience for one of the tutors. I was working in his workshop on an 18k
yellow gold necklace. I was busy soldering and took the flame away to look at
the bit I had just soldered. However the flame was now pointing at another part
of the piece, which I unknowingly melted.
Oops.
What's your favorite piece that you've ever done (and is it still for sale)?
A couple came to me having visited Harrods
and were disappointed that they couldn’t find a ring that was (in their words)
“Bling enough”. So we sat down and I designed and made this platinum ring for
them. It was about 25g in weight and had 100 grain set diamonds.
What's one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you started?
Buy the best flexshaft and pendant motor.
(Not a dremmel)
What's the best piece of advice you can give someone else starting out?
Buy the best flexshaft and
pendant motor.
Buy the best coffee making
machine for the studio
Show us what your studio looks like right this second! No cheating, don't clean
it up first!
Looking ahead a bit, what's upcoming for
you?
On 20th March 2008, I will have
my first anniversary at the shop. I have really enjoyed this first year and
have learnt a lot about running a workshop/shop and selling to the public.
I now just want to build my “brand
awareness” locally. The number of people that will drive past and just don’t
know your shop exists is frightening.
I will also start to take on some work
experience placements from local Universities. I would like to be able to help
others starting out in this field to learn practical bench working skills.
What else do you want the world to know that I didn't think to ask?
So my first goal after leaving university
was to work for myself and open my own workshop/shop.
My next major goal will probably be a 5-10
year goal. I would like to open a large shop, which has enough room to support
10 different crafters. Each space would have its own dedicated workshop area
with the communal area working as a showroom/shop.
Recommend three artists the world should know about (but doesn't).
Here are my most recent three favourites in my
Etsy shop.
Schuchy
mOnsterArt
Leannegraeff
And finally, what is your favorite word?
-Thanks-
Thank you, Chris! You are amazing. Good luck to all you haiku writers!
Mid level manage
a bore. Chris Parry works for
himself evermore.
Posted by: Teague | March 17, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Love unique design
Simple rings and rings with bling
Rings for which I pine.
Here is mine :)
susanrayschaffer@gmail.com
(contact info)
Posted by: Art Kitten | March 17, 2008 at 04:27 PM
designing jewelry
melting metal sculpting shapes
pretty on my hand
Posted by: Kendra Poma | March 17, 2008 at 04:32 PM
thoughtful, organic
chris dreams dreams for others, us
on finger's band, wish
________________
I'd be so charmed to win!
Kim
Posted by: Kim White-Jenkins | March 17, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Beauty in silver
When wrapped around my finger
Dreaming of his rings!
Contact
victoria.chatfield@btopenworld.com
koolkookykreatures.etsy.com
Posted by: Vikki | March 17, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Silver box tree ring,
I tried to eat my fish, but
You made sushi. Oy.
Posted by: Susan | March 17, 2008 at 04:47 PM
A mid life crisis?
I am in the midst of mine
inspiring beauty.
------
(Both your jewellery and your story!)
Simone
Posted by: simone | March 17, 2008 at 04:56 PM
His work is the bomb
Gold and silver get new life
I long for handmade
:-)
~Emily
gemsbyem.etsy.com
gemsbyemilym@gmail.com
Posted by: Emily | March 17, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Ring on your finger
handmade by a man named chris
be mine, will you now?
Posted by: natalie | March 17, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Chris Parry his name
His mid-life crisis our gain
The parents to blame
I know it doesn't have to rhyme, but my head wouldn't let me do anything else
:o)
Staci
stacil97@optonline.net
PinkPoochDesigns.etsy.com
Posted by: Pink Pooch Designs | March 17, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Dream a Little dream
Simple beauty for my hand
He created it
Posted by: Catherine | March 17, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Crisis at thirty
Jewelry's gain, management's loss
Large shop: Chris' next dream
Posted by: liz r. | March 17, 2008 at 05:27 PM
lovely shop in Kent
issues forth divine roundness
circles of tension
eawcjewelry@yahoo.com
Posted by: mamabetsy | March 17, 2008 at 05:28 PM
bright and shining star
works with only the best tools
his work is worth it
Posted by: allison strine | March 17, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Trying to take notes:
Flexshaft & pendant motor?
I'll stick to paper
Not as eloquent as last time. :-)
Awesome interview!
Erika
Posted by: Erika | March 17, 2008 at 05:47 PM
I needed to do one about how I'm bad at captchas, since I got the idea...
Oh, inane captchas!
You are such a mystery
cj58d?
Posted by: Erika | March 17, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Always remember
When you solder some jewelry
Watch where your torch is.
Best I can do! Great interview though and beautiful pieces!
Posted by: Liz Staley | March 17, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Bending metal rings
using fire to make ice
He creates a shine
These haikus are fun, makes my brain work
Posted by: CREATEaTHOUGHT | March 17, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Harrods step aside
needing dazzeling fingers
Parry makes dreams
Posted by: Mae | March 17, 2008 at 09:34 PM
Wow, excellent read. Chris Parry is very talented. I even wrote a haiku!
Here goes:
want to win something,
say, like, a chris parry ring?
well, i know i do.
Posted by: meagan | March 17, 2008 at 11:21 PM
What a wonderful interview. I'm a fan of Chris and his terrific work - it's nice to get to know him a bit better.
Here's my submission:
Chris, so smart and sweet.
His designs, second to none.
Perfection always.
Cheers,
Nathalie
canadianrockies@nucleus.com
http://canadianrockies.etsy.com
Posted by: Nathalie Girard | March 18, 2008 at 01:31 AM
Oh! Gravesend Jeweller
Be still my spinning flexshaft
The torque of the town
Chris is great, I've been using his jewellery pricing spreadsheet which taught me a lot. Thanks for a fab interview!
Posted by: OddGirlOut | March 18, 2008 at 01:59 AM
A ring of silver
Forged with a word for my hand
Now spoken out loud
What beautiful work and great interview!
Posted by: waterrose | March 18, 2008 at 07:42 AM
10th married year now
Husband better call Chris soon
Or divorce next year
Posted by: Julie | March 18, 2008 at 10:12 AM
talented craftsman
on his own doing what he loves
I envy him so
susan.cook@ontariosystems.com
Posted by: Susan Ball | March 18, 2008 at 10:31 AM