Kathryn Dieroff

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Name:

Kathryn Dieroff

Where do you live?

Parkdale

Profession:

Designer goldsmith and glass artist

Please explain what you do in your job:

I design and make custom wedding and engagement rings and create collections for galleries in metal and glass.

All of my work is individually handmade one-of-a-kind pieces or short-run production work. I work in the manufacturing studios at Made You Look Jewellery Studio and Gallery, where much of my jewelry is sold (in store and online at www.madeyoulook.ca).

Current job:

My full-time studio space is at Made You Look, where I've been creating my work for more than six years. I also do the majority of my custom design work through clients I meet at Made You Look. In addition to running my own business, I am also the administrator of the Metal Arts Guild of Canada and on the Parkdale BIA marketing committee.

List of accomplishments:

My work has been featured in various exhibitions, galleries and magazine features. I was recently asked to participate in the Mille Femme exhibition for the Luminato festival, featuring 1,000 women in the arts in Toronto. I curated a show in conjunction with the Metal Arts Guild and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority that is currently on display at Terminal 1 in Pearson International Airport and am working on a Nuit Blanche installation.

I was a guest speaker at a makers symposium and I currently provide mentorship to a number of new graduates.

How do you measure success in your profession?

I suppose there are the typical accolades like winning awards or having a high-profile studio, but for anyone whose living is making things with their own two hands, I feel success is every opportunity given to continue creating.

How did you get your start in your chosen career?

I began my training at George Brown College in the jewelry arts and design program, and then was mentored by a master goldsmith and gem-setter for 18 months.

When (age) did you decide this is what you want to do for a living and what was the 'moment'?

Following the completion of my university degree in critical art theory, I felt it was time to go back to creating work with my hands. At the time I was helping my parents with their small furniture and woodcraft business. The hours that I spent in the basement workshop cutting out hearts on the jigsaw were my happiest thus far.

I realized that I loved the idea of making a skilled craft my profession - to spend my career at a workbench making beautiful things.

What did you have to do in order to get involved with this profession?

Schooling was critical. Following that, it was making connections with many people from a broad spectrum of experiences. I've worked at Birks, at a small boutique jewelry store setting stones, a costume jewelry factory, worked for various designers at craft festivals and have made many other networking connections that have guided me to where I am now.

Pros and cons of this job:

The pros include the autonomy of self-employment, the joy of working with such special objects and working with clients.

The cons are probably the stresses of self-employment, the difficulty of working with occasionally difficult materials and the length of time it can take to establish oneself.

Skills required for this job:

You need to be creative, and have an aptitude for working with your hands.

Any other skills would be related to the kind of work you want to focus on. There are many paths to take in the field of jewelry design.

What can youth expect if they want to pursue this job?

Definitely expect to be one of many. Jewelry making has become one of the hottest hobby crafts. There are a lot of people dabbling with making little collections, and materials and courses are becoming more accessible to everyone. You need to make sure you have an edge.

Percentage of people who actually succeed in this field:

I suppose it would depend on how you defined success for yourself. Successes can be small or large.

Salary range:

$0 to ???

It depends if people want to buy your work.

Advice to youth who are thinking about pursuing this field:

Learn as much as you can. Make connections with people. Strive for excellence every day.

Anything else you would like to say?

There are many options for getting involved in the jewelry trade depending on the level of involvement you want to have with your work. For making hand-crafted metal work of the highest quality I recommend a three-year college program like the one at George Brown, and then to have some further training and guidance with a professional before striking out on your own.

This is a complex trade with many facets that will provide challenges throughout your career. Have fun with it. Get involved with your community and give back.