We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Kelly Diemond of Metal Morphosis, LLC.
We teach people to confidently create jewelry they are proud to say they made. We make jewelry from scratch, using sheet metal, wire, torches, hammers, and saws. Additionally, we custom-fit and weld "clasp-less" jewelry that stays on permanently.
Q: What inspired you to start your business, or begin in this line of work?
Kelly: “I was an Administrator at a Non-Profit Agency for 19+ years and wanted more freedom in my life and work. I wanted to get up when I wanted, walk my dog in the mornings, take a break in the middle of the day, and go to a movie. I also had a calling to create things with my hands. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed creating until I was in my 40's! I took a Teacher Training Class to learn how to teach painting classes, which I did for several years on the side before I discovered jewelry making and metalsmithing.
Once I got that hammer in my hands I was hooked!
I gradually phased myself out of my regular job, cutting my hours to part-time to open the studio in 2018 and then eventually resigned (during COVID!) to grow the studio/school into my full-time career.”
Q: Can you describe what sets your business apart from others in your industry?
Kelly: “We are the only privately owned Metalsmithing School in CNY and we specialize in teaching beginners who have never used a torch or a jeweler's saw. We walk people through the process of making jewelry and offer classes to help them set up their own studio at home. We also offer Date Nights where couples can come in and make rings together and work with couples interested in making their own wedding bands.
With our Permanent Jewelry services, what sets us apart is that we are a jewelry school and use only quality metals. We have a permanent location so you can always find us if you need a re-weld or an adjustment.”
Q: What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?
Kelly: “Don't be afraid of making mistakes-that is where the learning happens and often the point where people feel they aren't good enough and give up.
In metalsmithing, we always want things to go smoothly, but then we accidentally melt something or can't get a ball to solder in place and we have to figure it out. It's in the creative problem-solving that we learn the most.
There are always options and there are always multiple ways to move forward. Don't give up! Sit back down at the bench, be patient with yourself, and keep practicing and you will get better.”
Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?
Kelly: "When I was first thinking about opening a Jewelry School I felt that I really had no business opening a jewelry school because I didn't have a degree in Metalsmithing or Fine Arts.
I believed that maybe I hadn't been making jewelry long enough and didn't have enough skill to teach others the craft.
I spent a good deal of time worrying about not being good enough.
At the same time, I looked into degree programs and I wasn't really interested in learning much of what was being taught in those classes.
What I really wanted was to learn how to make jewelry that I wanted to wear and that I could potentially sell. I didn't want another degree or to go back to college.
It occurred to me that if this is what I wanted, there must be other people out there who also wanted to learn to metalsmith and make jewelry without spending thousands of dollars on a degree program.
Maybe if I tried teaching classes locally, I could test the waters and see how people responded, while at the same time, continuing to grow my skills.
So, I began teaching classes in the community and discovered there was interest and a need for the classes I was offering.
People liked my jewelry and classes and kept asking "Where will you be teaching next? I'd like to take another class."
And that gave me the confidence to take a risk, rent a studio space, and start offering more regular classes.
It's been six years of running the studio/school and we're still going strong!"
Q: Any exciting news, future plans, or projects you are working on or would like to announce?
Kelly: “We have an Open House coming up on November 17th where we invite people in to visit our space, shop the work of our students, teachers, and local artisans, partake in free lessons and demos, and win free jewelry and classes. We've been doing this for the last 2 years and we've had a great turnout and lots of positive feedback.”
Q: What's your favorite non-business activity and why?
Kelly: “I love being on the water. We have a boat we keep at Cayuga Lake and there is nothing more relaxing than an evening cruise in the fall when the water is calm and the leaves are changing.”
Contact Details
My business is located in Syracuse, in the former Strathmore Paint Building that's currently under renovation.
I encourage you to try your hand at jewelry making, even if you don't "think you're creative." You will likely surprise yourself with what you can do. We offer classes that are just 2-3 hours and you leave with finished pieces or longer 6-week deep dives into the world of Metalsmithing. We also can host private parties for jewelry making or permanent jewelry, where you will take home a tangible memory of your time together. All of our classes and details are posted on our website and change monthly.
