Jewelry Designer and Metalsmith Martha Keith moved from the sidewalks and streets of the Fan District in Richmond to the water and beaches of the Northern Neck on the Rappahannock River when she was nine years old. “I just miss sidewalks,” she remembers repeating to her father on more than one occasion. But she soon learned that each person must create her own play environment, whether concrete or water.
Since then, Keith has developed a similar creative mentality toward her work, which just so happens to involve the concreteness of metals and the fluidity of water. “Since living on the Rappahannock River and having a water environment all around, my work has been influenced by water,” Keith said.
Keith first realized her passion for metal—especially silver—and jewelry during her second year at James Madison University. “My friend had a toolbox for a class,” Keith said, explaining her amazement at the thought of a metal and jewelry class. “My jaw hit the floor.” It was at that moment, she said, that the impact of jewelry hit her. “I hadn’t thought about how drawn to it I was.”
Two years later, in 1995, Keith graduated from JMU with a concentration in metal and jewelry, and she has been making jewelry ever since then. Before settling down into her Charlottesville niche, Keith traveled across the country on a tandem bicycle and outside of the country to Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. During her travels, she would not only set up little studios of her own, but also check out the metalwork of others.
She also completed two work-study programs at Penland Schools of Crafts and even gave blacksmithing a try with friend and current studio mate Tavia Brown before deciding to make jewelry into a full-time business in 2005.
“Blacksmithing is like making very big jewelry,” Keith said. “But I wanted to hammer metal on a smaller scale.” Keith started out working on both commission and collection pieces. Now, Keith mainly does commission work—most often wedding-based rings—from her studio in Charlottesville.
“There is a nice community of artists here, and it’s nice to be a part of that,” Keith said, adding, “Charlottesville supports the arts—and that’s why artists can thrive here.”
1. Visiting McGuffey Art Center during the day when studios are open for visits, getting inspired by other people working creatively.
2. Checking out Angelo, a wonderful jewelry gallery, to see what's new from talented metalsmiths all around the country.
3. Stopping in at different galleries during First Fridays to see artwork and socialize.
4. Perusing the clothes at Eloise, a gorgeous boutique of women's clothes, beautiful art and lovely little kids stuff.
5. Sipping a locally brewed beer (or rootbeer for a float, yum!) at South Street Brewery...the couch by the fireplace is always my first choice.
6. Shopping at the Saturday City Market for superb locally grown/produced food and goods.
7. Eating! From quick dumplings at Marco and Luca to exquisite dinners at C&O Restaurant or anyplace with on-the-Mall dining. Too many places to choose from!
8. Drooling over every little thing at O'Suzannah's shop...gorgeous selection of gifty stuff (for others or for myself) in a beautifully designed store.
9. Watching live performances on the lawn at the Charlottesville Pavilion, in the newly renovated Jefferson Theater, or The Paramount, to name a few.
10. Just strolling...alone or with my family or friends, wander in for a nibble or a drink, window shop, and people watch.