Artist: Nancy Ennis
Who are you and what do you do? I am Nancy Ennis, a career educator as well as a jeweler and silversmith.
What is your background? By profession, I am a teacher. Since retiring from the school system, I have continued working with students by tutoring high school students in English and US History. Running parallel to my teaching career has always been my art.
What is your medium and why did you choose it? I have always been drawn to jewelry. I began dabbling in jewelry making when I was a child, and it has continued throughout my life. I suppose you could say it choose me! My jewelry design focus shifted in 2005 when I took my first silversmithing class. Since then, I have worked primarily as a silversmith.
Why art? Why do you do what you do? I love creating! It makes me happy to make jewelry! Then I get to see someone else happy when they find a piece of my jewelry they love.
If you were not an artist, what career would you have wanted to pursue? I would have loved to own a plant nursery. I have a large collection of unusual fragrant houseplants.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist? I was an English teacher and a technology resource teacher in Maryland.
How do you work? When I am planning and sketching, I work at my desk. When I start working, I use the studio in my home. But somehow, I often find myself with work spread out all over the house!
How has your practice changed over time? I try to learn at least one new technique or skill to use in my jewelry making each year. I love to learn, and the new jewelry techniques help keep things interesting for me and my customers.
What is integral to your work, to the work of an artist? I love sharing experiences with other jewelry artists.
What has been an inspiring experience? Taking classes from other jewelers really gets me excited. There is nothing quite as inspiring for me as being in a room with other jewelers!
What is your favorite artwork? I like to collect artwork that has been made by people I know and respect. For example, I have a collection of watercolor paintings done by a close friend and hand painted gourds by another. I also try to buy a piece of jewelry from my teacher each time I take a class.
What memorable responses have you had to your work? Two types of responses stand out. One example is when someone considers a larger piece for a while and eventually returns to purchase it because they really love it. However, my most memorable responses are not actually intentional responses. This is when I meet a stranger and notice that they are wearing a piece of my jewelry! It is heartwarming and it always begins a lovely conversation.