Jewelry Artist Podcast: Jeff Fulkerson Loves to Teach Jewelry Making
It’s not all about color, but color is very important. Inlay artist Jeff Fulkerson thinks of what he does as painting with rocks, he recently told Jewelry Artist podcast host Katie Hacker. He specializes in gemstone intarsia, creating wearable jewelry paintings in which gem materials depict whatever’s in his head and provide him with his palette.
ABOVE: Jeff Fulkerson’s inlaid belt buckle; photo courtesy of the artist
Jeff has been making jewelry since he was a kid. When his mom’s friends would see him wearing a piece he’d made, they’d ooh and ah and ask if he’d make them one, too. “Sure,” he’d say, and he’s still saying it today, having fun, perfecting his skills, and passing on what he’s learned to others.
I asked Jeff a little about teaching, learning, and having fun making jewelry. Here’s what he had to say.
Teaching
MW: I see you’re doing a lot of online classes now — how’s that going?
JEFF FULKERSON: It’s growing. In the post-Covid world, it’s only going to get more interest.
MW: What’s it like teaching a craft skill online compared to live, in-person teaching? What works, what doesn’t, any happy surprises come out of this?
JEFF: The great thing about in-person classes is the interaction. You don’t get that with video, so you kind of have to imagine it. It’s very easy in a video to just give information/technique and forget the human element, which can make the video boring and hard to watch.
Having Fun
MW: What’s the most fun you’ve had making jewelry?
JEFF: I would say it was the last Bead Fest Santa Fe. Great students, great venue, great hotel, great friends — pretty hard to beat.
MW: What was the most fun piece to make?
JEFF: I like making boho earrings with lots of little embellishments. I just love eclectic.
MW: What was the most complicated project you’ve taken on, and whatever possessed you to do that?
JEFF: Probably the Scaling New Heights cuff. It was just one of those wild ideas you get and you just have to see it through. It won several awards including a Gemmy, so I feel it was worth the effort.
MW: What has surprised you the most about a finished piece?
JEFF: My cuff Across the Universe. To this day I look at it and wonder how I ever made it!
Learning
MW: If you could study with any jeweler in history, who would it be and why?
JEFF: I’m not much of a student of jewelry history, so I’d love to spend time with Michael Boyd or Raymond Yazzie. Both are such innovators and take their art to a new level.
MW: What jewelry making technique would you learn next if you had the chance?
JEFF: I need to get better at hinge making.
MW: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from jewelry making about jewelry making?
JEFF: Sometimes you mess up beyond all recovery, whether the design just doesn’t work or you screwed up technically. In either case, know when to say when and throw in the towel and start again.
MW: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from jewelry making that you’ve applied to another pursuit?
JEFF: Take the time to do it right the first time.
. . . and Loving
When I saw Jeff at the Tucson shows this year, I was a little surprised his wife, Roxanne, wasn’t with him. Not that he doesn’t spend some quality shopping time on his own, but this was a social event, and I asked him where she was. “That’s what everyone asks me!” he said. “You’d think maybe people would just be happy to see me, but nooooo,” he teased. Well of course I was happy to see Jeff, but still . . .
MW: And the question you’re always asked — How’s Roxanne?
JEFF: Roxanne is truly magnificent. She just keeps getting better and better!
Aw, sweet!
Merle White is Editor-in-Chief of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist.
Hear More from Jeff on the Jewelry Artist Podcast
Join host Katie Hacker in a friendly conversation with the very talented Jeff Fulkerson to find out more about how he works, teaches, and has fun. Listen below and then catch up on all the other podcast episodes.
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Silver Rungs of Success Ring Jewelry Project Download
$7.99
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, September/October 2018 Digital Edition
$14.99
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Stamped Bib Necklace Project Download
$7.99
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, November 2014 Digital Edition
$14.99
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One Hour Bracelets with Jeff Fulkerson Video Download
$24.99
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