Today we’d like to introduce you to Toree Arntz.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Toree. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I studied at Art Center College of Design and switched majors quite a bit. While I was in school, I got a job as an exotic animal trainer and would travel the country doing various stage shows or movies. While I was on the road, I bought a sewing machine and at night in my hotel room would make costumes inspired by the animals I was around and would use some of their shed materials like feathers and quills in my designs. I would wear my costumes around and people would commission me to re-make them and it just kind of snowballed from there. I worked in the costume world for about ten years and continued to use materials shed from the animals I worked with. As the demand for my work started to grow, I started to struggle with how to ethically grow my business while also remaining sustainable and ethical with my sources. I realized that I would have to change my business model, so about two years ago I made the decision to make jewelry the primary outlet for my work, and I started casting and molding my collected items from nature and working them into my designs that way.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yea, of course there are struggles. I vacillate regularly between feeling like I am a creative genius and I am a total imposter with no talent, especially when I am learning a new skill that I am horrible at. I know a lot of creatives feel this way. Any time anyone reaches out to me for advice, I tell them that the best thing you can do for yourself as you are developing as an artist is to accept that you won’t be good for a long time and to just push through it. But honestly, whether it is a good or bad day, I feel incredibly grateful every single day that I am able to be a working artist, it’s what keeps me fulfilled and grounded.
Please tell us about Stonehart Jewelry.
My business is a Demi-fine jewelry and accessory line that brings the playful and fantastical into everyday wear. My costume background and love of folklore and cosplay has greatly shaped me as a jewelry designer. Any time I dress up in costume, I find myself wishing that we could all just dress up every day. So I try and create designs that make individuals feel unique and magical but also are easy and comfortable to wear as everyday pieces.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memories from childhood are dressing up as multiple characters with my friends and filming our own movies and tv shows with my parent’s handheld camera.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stonehartjewelry.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @stonehartjewelry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stonehartjewelry/
Image Credit:
2 of these images were taken by Kimberley Gordon, the rest were taken by me
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