Interview by Kim Nagorski
Our 25th annual Art Studio Clearance Sale featured 150 artists selling their handcrafted
work. Several local artists were present, including Columbus jewelry artist Hannah Hoffman (hannah-hoffman.com), who has been participating in the sale for several years. We talked to Hannah about her art prior to the opening of the Clearance Sale.
K: Where did you go to school and what did you study?
HH: I studied fine arts at Ohio State with a concentration in glass art.
K: How did you get started in metalsmithing and jewelry?
HH: I discovered metalsmithing during my senior year at Ohio State. I began making glass jewelry with a friend and I wanted to incorporate metal into the work. Ohio State doesn’t offer small-metals classes, so I took a course at the Cultural Arts Center. I immediately fell in love with the versatility and process of metalsmithing. My first class was ten years ago, and I’ve continued to take classes at the Cultural Arts Center as there is always more to learn.
K: How long have you been creating jewelry full time and what outlets do you use to sell your work?
HH: I’ve been creating jewelry full time for 3½ years, but I began my business roughly 8 years ago. The transition to full-time artist was a slow and steady process for me. I sell my work online, at craft fairs and at several locations across the US, including here in Columbus.
K: What inspires your art?
HH: I find art, travel and sustainability to be my biggest inspirations. I find traveling can allow the mind to relax, which opens the channel for creative ideas to flow. I enjoy thinking creatively about incorporating sustainable methods within my work and my studio. The majority of my work is made with recycled materials and environmentally friendly methods.
K: What do you enjoy about the Art Studio Clearance Sale?
HH: The Art Studio Clearance Sale is always a fun event with a loyal following. Clearing out my studio and selling retired or imperfect work to the customers of the Clearance Sale is extremely satisfying. It opens up physical space in my studio, and it also inspires me to create new designs.
Find more information on Hannah at her website, www.hannah-hoffman.com