Cloth Paper Scissors 10th Anniversary: Mixed Media Metalsmith Jen Cushman looks back

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Cloth Paper Scissors, we've asked some of our regular contributors to write about their recollections of working with the magazine, and what the magazine has meant to them. Jewelry artist Jen Cushman, who writes the Mixed-Media Metalsmith column, reminisces about how she came to work with us. ~ Jeannine

When former Cloth Paper Scissors editor Jenn Mason started at the magazine five years ago I sent a query about writing an article. She accepted my idea, gave me a deadline, and the rest, as they say is history. I wrote a few more articles, and then began teaching art jewelry workshops at the CREATE Mixed Media Retreats. At the Southern California event Jenn took one of my metalworking workshops. I could see the wheels in her head turn throughout the evening. She asked me for a meeting the next day.

We grabbed a cup of coffee and sat outside in the sunshine and began to brainstorm an idea for a new column. While I envisioned the structure, it was Jenn's brilliant idea to name it The Mixed Media Metalsmith. I still have the journal where I wrote down 24 project ideas in less than 10 minutes. 

The Mixed Media Metalsmith is now a big part of my life. Editorial Director Jeannine Stein and I talked about taking my column in a new direction for 2015, and I feel like a kid in a candy store with the changes and can't wait to share them. The most rewarding attribute of being a mixed-media artist is having an undeniable freedom to create absolutely anything that makes me feel deep emotions. Looking at something as it is and then turning it over in my brain again and again to see the possibilities of what it can be is a driving force in my work. It's my desire to share this journey with you in my columns, workshops and art. Here's to the next decade of Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine. 

P.S. If you'd like to work with some of the materials Jen uses in her mixed-media jewelry pieces, check out our Cloth Paper Scissors 10th Anniversary Collection kit.

 

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