JCCFS: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background in your medium. How did you get started?

JC:  When I was a teenager, I spent a fair amount of time see what art exhibitions were available in Memphis. At one of these shows I saw some gold and silver jewelry and had no idea that people could make things like that and at my first opportunity I took my first class at Memphis Art Academy as part of the adult extension class program. I was immediately hooked on metalsmithing and jewelry making! Prior to that time, I had received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, but I liked this new jewelry making much better. So, after a few years of doing that, I decided to pursue it at the graduate level where I attended Southern Illinois University. Along the way I did jewelry trades show work, custom design work and taught everything from lapidary to bronze casting to silversmithing and more. I pursued that for about a dozen years and then decided that I would like to make a living at it, so I enrolled in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Memphis. I have worked in Biomedical Engineering for about 30 years, all while still making jewelry and metalwork my pastime. I did that for many years and still found time to come to the Folk School to take and teach classes as well as at the Metal Museum in Memphis. I often worked in my home studio with the primary goal being to trade with other artists, and donate pieces to auctions. I retired from Biomedical Engineering 7 years ago and have been spending more time doing metalwork and jewelry.

JCCFS: Tell us more about your class’s specific technique or process.

JC: The shawl and brooch class is specifically oriented to making a classical brooch style that goes back 100 years and is called Penannular Brooch, meaning an interrupted surface. They’ve always fascinated me. Half the week students will weave and the other half will make the brooch and then swap off. We will consider varieties on form and tools available to create the most aesthetic and functional mugs. We will explore techniques such as pulling, throwing, cutting, extruding and rolling shapes to bend and manipulate into handles. By sharing our ideas, students will be able to visualize the multitudes of options for attachment styles, shapes & sizes, and embellishments to enjoy while drinking your hot beverage of choice! Join me as we get a handle on it!

JCCFS: What can students expect to leave your class with?

JC: A very light introduction to some of the basics of jewelry techniques. We always try to have fun and keep humor in the class. I have a lot of knowledge about metalsmithing and i was to share that with as many people that want to learn and share the occasional joke.

JCCFS: What is your favorite aspect of the Folk School/ What do you most look forward to when coming back to teach on campus?

JC: I’ve been coming here for so many years and have made a lot of friends. I look forward to spending time with those friends because I only get to see them when I’m here. The comradery of the artists and the new students I meet keeps me coming back

JCCFS: Where do you draw inspiration from for your work?

JC: Two very definite areas: science fiction illustration and medieval metal design.

JCCFS: What’s one piece or craft object you’ve made recently that you are proud of, and why?

JC: I have a container that’s fabricated with enamel on the top that I’ve made for the upcoming auction at the Metal Museum in October. I’m pleased with the way it came out and it’s an unusual design for me. I literally finished it last week and it’s like an arts and crafts design which is different for me.

JCCFS: What tips would you give an aspiring craftsperson? Anything you wish you knew as a student?

JC: Read more. Look at the work of other artists. See what other people are doing with the media that interests you. Keep learning.

JCCFS: Where can folks find you if they want to stay updated on your work?

JC: I have a website which isn’t updated in terms of teaching, but has lots of my work on it, jclift-metalsmith.com