Jen Smith, is a local Portland artist and one half of the jewelry making team, Affixment. They create fun and funky art pieces that dangle from ears and hang beautifully from your neck. Jen is also an artist in residence here at Presents of Mind. We are lucky to have her work, and her presence in our store. Jen was kind enough to meet for a cocktail after work for a brief interview. We headed over to the Matchbox, a small local bar on S.E. Division, where it was quiet enough to chat. The rust colored walls and the flickering candles were ideal for conversation.

Where did you come up with the name Affixment?

My business partner Polly, came up with the name. We were trying to think of a funky word for, ‘the coming together of two things’. We thought it sounded industrial and cool.

How long has Affixment been around?

Since August of 2008. Polly and I met in Montana, but the business is Portland born.

How did you and Polly meet and how did your relationship turn into a jewelry partnership?

We are friends from Montana, we had met through our partners. We found that we had an intense fascination with the unusual and beautiful natural world. We are both eccentric and have the same macabre sense of humor.

How did this lead to jewelry making?

We had been discussing our art degrees, that we both have fine art degrees, and what were we doing with them? I mentioned that I wanted to make belt buckles out of resin. She said, “I could do that. I have a debubblizer.” We started with buckles, and it was very difficult. I suggested earrings and necklaces because they were more cost effective. Hah, huge, huge, learning curve with resin.

Can You talk a little about working with resin? About the difficulties and what is fun?

Resin is very temperature sensitive. We learned that the hard way. The cool part is that you can cast in any shape, can use any kind of imagery, from fine art to photography, to found images to natural organic objects. Skies the limit. It takes about two to three days to cast a piece from beginning to end. We’ve had to learn about organics. It’s been like a science project to learn about organics. It’s sticky, it’s messy, it’s hardcore.

You use a lot of found imagery in your work, but you have a necklace that is of a charcoal horse drawing. That is your drawing?

Yes.

Will you be doing more of your art work in your jewelry line?

Yes. I have charcoals ready, my drawings have already been sized to fit in the pendents. Trees, horses, bands of horses.

Polly and you both went to college?

Yes. I have a B.A. of fine arts in drawing, painting, and art history. Polly has a B.A. in metalsmithing and photography. I have to say- I am the artistic direction and composition, and Polly is the business and the metalsmithing. We both agree exactly on imagery, and we have the same vision.

Polly has created a separate line of jewelry, that we have been carrying at Presents of Mind, (Polly’s new line of jewelry is called Polly Linn Designs and you can catch a glimpse of her cool metal work chemical structures jewelry in our Valentine’s Motivation post) are you doing anything similar or thinking of anything extra on the side that is your separate project?

Yes. I am thinking of doing a series of trees, anatomical, and surreal imagery in resin jewelry. I am currently working on charcoal drawings on recycled cabinetry.

Really?

Yes. I sell it on etsy right now.

That sound’s great.

Yeah, it is. It is really kind of cool.

Have you ever had a business like this before?

I’ve had gallery representation with paintings and drawing, but this has been cool, to be able to put my work in these small pieces of jewelry.

What do you think about the buying local and the crafty movement?

I think it is fascinating that when you purchase locally that you are putting eighty percent directly back into your community. It really keeps the art growing. I love the fact that Portland is the design directive of the country. Many city standards across the country come out of here. It is fascinating to be a part of a place that may be setting trends across the nation, maybe the world. I know that is a bold statement, but when we go to trade shows a large percentage of the booths are from Portland.

What’s the percentage?

I would be afraid to quote that, but it is huge. Sometimes we go to check out a vendor booth and we are surprised to find they are from Portland. Portland is such a supportive community. Everything is a reaction to every one’s reactions to other’s work.

You went to Magic as a buyer, how was that experience?

Magic, yes. It was my second time to Magic. When I go, it makes me come home feeling innovative, and gutsy as a designer. It is an insiders look into what people are into.

Does Affixment aspire to go to Magic?

Not even aspire- we plan on going next year.

You just got into Crafty wonderland.

Yes.

Have you gotten in before?

No.

How does that feel?

Super, super, exciting. It is one of the biggest crafty shows in Portland and it is a buyers destination for the region, and it brings out the funky, funk and edgy.

Do you have a hard time balancing between your art work and working at the store?

Sometimes. I think Presents of Mind feeds my social side, and I love it, and it has been fun to watch my jewelry go out the door, but ultimately I would one day like to be a full time artist. The balance is there, Presents of Mind accommodates me, and is very supportive, and I also have my finger on the pulse of what people are in the mood for. I work three days a week at Presents of Mind, and four days are studio time, which is very providential.

Who is your favorite artist, your inspiration?

Debra Beers, who is a local art instructor, I believe she is at Lewis and Clark, she does fantastic, authentic and amazing charcoals. And, Dustin Yellin a resin artist out of New York. Right now they are my inspiration.

You have two grown children, well adults now, and they have both become pretty adventurous.

Oh yes, my daughter is a fantastic artist and barista here in Portland, and my son is ski patrol in Big Sky, Montana, so he skies for work and he skies for fun, he is also a very talented woodworker. When I had my kids I packed them around with me everywhere. I raised them outside. I wasn’t standing still and ultimately they are very travel savvy and independent. No sterilizing bottles in this house.

Tell us a about little Jen.

I was a scrubby little outdoor kid that picked up everything, sticks, stones and oddities. I was drawing before I could walk. It took everything to get me indoors. I haven’t changed much since I was a child, I still talk a lot and I don’t pay much attention and I am shy (she laughs) it’s a great place to hide art.

What is in store for the future for Ms. Jen Smith?

(She giggles) Ultimatly, I want to paint and draw full time and explore resin and jewelry. I would love to travel and do shows, just have a lucrative existance in Porltand doing my art. Ultimatly I just want to be free (she laughs again).

What is your philosophy on life?

Live and play extremely hard and basically always, always have something you are passionate about everyday. And also that music should be an important part of your life. (Jen worked at a music store for ten years.) Can’t keep music out. Polly’s and my motto is REDUCE STRESS HAVE FUN.

Thank you Jen!