Meet Lauren Estes | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Estes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
It’s only been in the last few years that I have actively pursued an artistic career. I run a full-time business in the finance world but I have been in the art world my entire life. I realized I had not been doing any art or drawing or being creative for a while and I picked up jewelry making, then working with copper, and now I am a silversmith. As with any career or study, it is so important to keep learning and to practice. We are all creatives at heart, we just have to find what brings that out. Making things helps balance my different work lives and truly makes me happy to be able to share that with others.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being a business owner and particularly one that is in a creative and product based business can be difficult. Not only do you have to actually make something or create some thing but then you have to take photos, do your website, go to shows, market, handle the accounting…However, with the right tools and people to help you along the way you can create a successful business.

I have been able to do this and work with media that may not be as common such as copper and creating beautiful patinas that are inspired by nature and then literally created by nature. Of course there are thousands and thousands of jewelers, but I try to stand out with using stones that remind me of landscapes or incorporating elements of nature such as leaves. I have recently been obsessed with ginkgo leaves and have gold leafed them for Thanksgiving cards and now I am creating beautiful silver pendants with them.

It really just takes a spark to create something you enjoy. However, one of the challenges is always feeling inspired. I often have times when I am overwhelmed or just not feeling it and that’s when I realize I need to take a break and regroup. Reprieve from having to do something often turns out to be extremely beneficial.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have to say I’m a foodie so this is a hard one for me as there are so many places. We would definitely check out the local Memphis eateries. I will not get into picking a barbecue place though haha. There are some really fun places like The Liquor Store or Magnolia & May that we visited over the holidays that are over the top decorated and so cool to see. Memphis is home to hundreds of locally owned restaurants and galleries and gift stores. We also have the Metal Museum which of course I love given that I work with metal and do have work in the gift store.

A lot of times, I need to play tourist in my own city because we get so used to certain routines. A friend and I actually got a book called “100 Things to do in Memphis Before You Die” and we are going to start that in the new year.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people and too many to name. Of course, my dad has always been an artist and there to teach me new things. But I have worked for wonderful people over the years who have encouraged me and taught me about dedication and hard work. In my recent journey of silversmithing, there are absolutely amazing teachers all over the world that I have taken classes from. With online classes and groups and forums, it is almost impossible not to meet people whom you can teach and learn from. Sometimes it is just the random person in a Facebook group that mentions something you hadn’t thought of and then it creates a whole new journey.

Website: Estesdesignsmem.com

Instagram: Estesdesignsmem

Facebook: Estesdesignsmem

Image Credits
Emily Holmes