Nichole McIver- Acanthus Jewelry

A thousand facets sits down with Nichole McIver from Acanthus jewelry. We discuss her background in art, how she found medieval illuminated manuscripts as something she wanted to dive in and how she found jewelry and self taught herself, finding her own voice and the vehicle for her to showcase her creativity. NICHOLE MCIVER has a background in two-dimensional studio art, and art history. Her passion for hand crafting personal adornment is rooted in her fascination with precious historical objects. She continues to find inspiration in everything from the decorative foliage found in the margins of illuminated manuscripts, to the secret symbolism of Victorian mourning jewelry. Nichole is a self-taught maker and Acanthus is hand made by her personally, in her home studio in Central Minnesota. Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. You can follow Nichole on Instagram @acanthusjewelry or her website https://www.acanthusjewelry.com/ Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits once again with a favorite, Liz Kantner for an emergency episode about the importance of customer service. After visiting a few stores and shows, it was important to chat about these experiences and what can we do to improve. About: Liz Kantner’s true passion is working with independent jewelry artists to help them thrive in the modern marketplace.  While not an artist herself, Liz has the utmost appreciation for fine jewelry makers and loves to work one-on-one with her clients to help them tell their authentic stories and achieve success. She particularly enjoys the opportunity to work with emerging designers who have unique vision and a contagious passion for the work they create.  ​ Before finding her way to the jewelry industry, Liz studied Marketing and Communications at Drexel University. Already blogging in her spare time, Liz’s post-graduation entrance into the world of professional marketing led Liz to discover the possibilities of combining her marketing education with her affinity for social media. She shifted focus to Digital Marketing and soon found herself with accounts for large brands like Black & Decker.  ​ A cross-country move led Liz to her first jewelry industry job: Digital Marketing Manager for legendary jeweler Todd Reed in Boulder, Colorado. During her years at Todd Reed, Liz fell in love with the jewelry industry. She worked on advertising, public relations, sales, and trade shows, all while also enjoying a front row seat to the jewelry design and making process. The position was a joy but eventually Liz couldn’t ignore the urge to spread her wings.  ​ Liz left Todd Reed to launch Stay Gold in 2016. She moved to Asheville, NC, and started accepting jewelry brand clients and freelance work. In 2019 she created the Stay Gold Collective, a supportive community that continues to grow. Liz connected with Laryssa Wirstiuk to create the Success with Jewelry Podcast. In 2022, Liz teamed up with marketing expert Laryssa Wirstiuk to launch the Success with Jewelry podcast, a platform created to further support independent designers through honest conversations, expert insights, and actionable advice. She has worked for trade shows: Liz curated the New Designer Gallery for JA New York, the Designer Jewelry section of Premiere and Curated at Luxury Lifestyle at NY NOW. She’s been featured in Forbes, JCK Magazine, INSTORE Magazine, and National Jeweler.  ​ When she’s not thinking about jewelry, you can usually find Liz at a playground with her four-year-old. She also loves reading contemporary fiction, listening to pop-punk and hugging her pups, Elliott Sniff and Conor Obarks.  Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. You can find Information of the Stay Gold collective at: https://www.lizkantner.com/ or visit her Instagram page @liz_kantner Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Bola Lyon, they speak about her upbringing into an artistic family and how she found her medium in jewelry. her work is inspired by muscles by being "deco coded". About: Bola explores the architecture of anatomy in precious metals. She utilises many different traditional goldsmithing techniques such as forging, soldering and wire drawing. While also experimenting with more contemporary computer aided design, 3D wax printing and casting. Evoking the delicate stresses and strains found within structures of the body. Gold twists and contracts holding precious gems in place, creating striking sculptural pieces. You can follow Bola on Instagram @bolalyon or her website https://www.bolalyon.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Sam Woehrmann, they discuss about his love for gemstones his childhood, his inspiration and what makes him the major of jewelry town. About: With a lifelong intrigue of gemstones and an interest in mathematics I was lured into the metal arts. Learning to both manipulate metal and work with stones has led my work into what it is today. I not only find the amazing colors gems produce, but also the raw crystal structures intriguing. The use of this and different color combinations of metal alloys let me explore designs not only in shape, but in depths along another plane of vision. Being influenced by Earth’s creations and urban backdrops gives my work a strong geometric and industrial look.    My jewelry training comes from numerous schools and a multitude of instructors from around the world. Also having worked in the studios of two accomplished goldsmiths molded my work into the style I present today. I live and work out of the Castro District of San Francisco. You can follow Sam on Instagram @samwoehrmann or his website https://www.iamthatsam.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Harriet Scott, the Head of Fair at the Goldsmiths' fair, we discuss the importance of the Fair, about the anniversary of the fair and the 700 anniversary of Goldsmiths' Company. We discuss the application process which is open now and it'll close February 27, 2026. About: Goldsmiths’ Fair is an annual selling event and exhibition showcasing work by a curated selection of the best fine jewellers and contemporary silversmiths creating and making in the UK today. It is widely regarded as an essential stop in the international fine jewellery and contemporary silver events calendar. The Fair has taken place at the magnificent Goldsmiths’ Hall, one of London’s hidden treasures, since 1983. All Fair exhibitors use exceptional handmaking skills to create their pieces, applying techniques that have been passed down over hundreds of years. Visitors can expect to find beautiful, handmade pieces all containing an element of precious metal. Behind every piece is a unique story and a unique artist. The emerging and established makers exhibiting at Goldsmiths’ Fair are chosen through a rigorous selection process which ensures the highest standards of both materials and craftsmanship. Each year, up to ten Emerging Business Bursary places are awarded to support new talent. You can follow the Fair on Instagram @goldsmithsfair or their website https://www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk/ or apply https://www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk/application-form-2026/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with contemporary artist Karl Fritsch. Karl, creates playful and unconventional contemporary jewelry. He crosses the line with his mix materials to make us ask, what is truly precious.  On the premiere of season 4, I sit with Karl and we talk about his beginnings, how he came into the world of jewelry and how even a comment from his kids will inspire his work.  About: Karl Fritsch has gained international recognition for his ever developing body of work, which has focussed almost solely on rings. Fritsch’s jewellery is unmistakable. His works vary from hand-moulded one-off castings, to re-cast, contrastingly daintier jewel-embedded rings, to towering stacks of cut and colourful glass. His ability to continually create new rings is vast and varied. Combining traditional techniques, playing on jewellery history, he has developed has own personal language. He is capable of applying both careful and quick consideration to the materials and objects he works with, and employs precious and base metals, facetted and found stones in his work with egalitarian abandon, turning the most ordinary into the extraordinary. “Of course the ring wants to be beautiful. The technique also wants to be beautiful, and most often it’s the idea that wants to be the most beautiful. But sometimes a ring likes nothing better than to sit in the mud and not give a damn about how it looks. If it’s exactly what it wants to be in a given moment, it is precise, perfect and the most beautiful”. Karl Fritsch Born in Germany in 1962, Karl Fritsch was classically trained at the Goldsmith’s College in Pforzheim, and then attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. He has exhibited extensively, presented guest lectures around the world and his work is held in private and public collections internationally, including the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, The Pinakothek of Modern Art in Munich, the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. He has been the recipient of a number of awards including the Herbert Hoffman Prize from the International Craftsmen Trade Fair in Munich and the prestigious jury-selected Francoise van den Bosch Award (2006), given every 2 years to an international jewellery and object maker who is recognised for his/ her oeuvre, influence and contribution to the field. You can follow Karl on Instagram @karlfritschrings or his website https://www.karl-fritsch.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits once again on her favorite Bonus episode, small shopping with Allana Lalot from Lalot collective! We talk about the importance of shopping small and how special is to know the story behind the items we buy. Below if the list of the brands and artists we discussed: @emmawilsonenamel @janakilarsen found at @informinteriors @theother.style @ettigre.co @signedbyyou.amsterdam @decade_studio @schokov_extraordinarychocolate @beta5chocolates @kisandco @ina.seifart With appearances (literally) from @timorous_beasties and a reminder of @minandmonbags You can follow Allana on Instagram @lalotcollective or her website https://lalotcollective.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits for the season finale of season 3 with the truly talented Anthony Lent in his studio in Pennsylvania. They talked about his education in Germany, his years as a professor and how he creates his wonderful and whimsical jewelry. About: Anthony Lent has been handcrafting fine jewelry for women and men for almost fifty years. Our collections are based on the sculptural creations of master goldsmith and jewelry designer, Tony Lent. He has dedicated his life to the painstaking transformation of visionary images into intricate pieces of wearable art that are among the most detailed and conceptually profound works of jewelry being made today. Tony began his foray into the jewelry world while studying sculpture at the Philadelphia College of Art (now University of the Arts). While there, he discovered that many of his favorite artists, such Celini and Dürer, were also goldsmiths. He also encountered the works of various renowned jewelers, including René Lalique, René Boivin, and Mario Buccellati, amongst others. In 1971, Tony left Philadelphia and moved to Germany to pursue his goldsmithing education at the Fachhochschule in Schwäbisch-Gmünd. In Germany, he immersed himself in the traditions and technologies of European jewelry design, acquiring the skills and knowledge that would become the foundation of his own work and teaching. On returning to the United States a few years later, he began his career as a jeweler in New York City, working for some of the industry's most prestigious and celebrated fine jewelry houses. During this time, he developed a unique line of bespoke jewelry which was exhibited at galleries and represented by private dealers throughout the world. He also served during this time as a professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), where he was chairman of the Jewelry Design department from 1990–2001.  Tony is joined by his sons, David and Max, who founded the Anthony Lent brand in 2013. Together, they are working to preserve their father's legacy for future generations of discerning collectors of the most beautiful and captivating jewelry in the world. At Anthony Lent, we strive to meet the highest standards of quality possible and treat attention to even the finest of details as the number one priority in everything we do. All of our jewelry is designed and manufactured with pride in the USA. You can follow Anthony on Instagram @anthonylentjewelry or his website https://anthonylent.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Ellen Hertz from Max's jewelry in Minneapolis, they talk about what inspired to start a store, what it means to her to have a space for independent jewelers and their love for dark chocolate. About: We represent designers who we believe are the best at what they do, are true artisans and craftspeople, and who are creating jewelry that is beautiful, unique, and, sometimes, a bit unconventional. We’re also storytellers who love sharing the fascinating backstories of each of those artists and the jewelry they create – what inspires them, how they approach the design process, and the craftsmanship evidenced in their work. ​ At the heart of every decision that we make about the jewelry designers whose work we’ll carry are the questions of why someone chooses what they choose, and when they can pick from so many options, why they opt to adorn themselves with the pieces they select. We see jewelry as something deeply personal and meaningful, something that conveys our individual style, tells our story, and shows how we’re feeling at any given moment. We encourage and embrace individuality, and when helping our customers find the pieces that will most resonate with them, we always say “Own Your Style!” ​ In addition to jewelry, our shop is known for delicious collections of artisanal chocolate from around the world, as well as home décor and other gift items. We hope you enjoy your visit to Max’s! You can follow Ellen on Instagram @maxsjewelry or her website https://www.stylebymax.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets talks with ten artists that participated at the Goldsmiths' Fair, which is her favorite show. They picked one piece of their collection and talked about their inspiration. MAKE SURE TO SEE THEM ON INSTAGRAM. About Goldsmiths' Fair For more than four decades, Goldsmiths’ Fair has brought together a selection of the UK’s best contemporary jewellers and silversmiths. This year’s 136 exhibitors work across disciplines and materials, each achieving distinct techniques and their own style with precious metals. The Fair gives visitors the opportunity to buy directly from makers and to discuss their skills, practices and inspirations, accompanied by a dedicated talks programme and exhibitions. If you want more information about Goldsmiths' Fair- please visit them at: https://www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk/ instagram: @goldsmithsfair Artist's featured on this interview and where to find them: Wenyin Jiang https://www.wenyinjiang.co.uk/ instagram: @wenyinjiang Ruth Tomlinson https://ruthtomlinson.com/ instagram: @ruthtomlinsonjewellery Liu Yang https://liuyang.info/ instagram: @lyj_jewellery Alison macleod https://www.alisonmacleod.com/ instagram: @alisonmacleodjewellery Yeena Yoon https://www.yeenayoon.com/ instagram: @yeenayoonstudio Alice Biolo https://www.alicebiolo.com/ instagram: @alicebiolo Alma Sophia https://www.almasophia.com/ instagram: @almasophiadesign Amy Findlay https://amyfindlayjewellery.com/ instagram: @a.findlayjewellery Stephanie Holt https://www.stephanieholt.co.uk/ instagram: @stephanie__holt Zoe Arnold https://www.zoearnold.com/ instagram: @zoearnold_artefacts Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices