Creative Arts Workshop

Connie Pfeiffer, a sculptor and installation artist, loves to work with metal, especially copper.  Her background includes receiving her MFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology, where her focus was almost entirely on metal working.  These days she teaches the metalsmithing program at Creative Arts Workshop in New Haven, CT, and uses metal as a starting point in her work, while experimenting with new or recycled materials.

Darlings: How did you get into jewelry design?
Connie: From a young age I always enjoyed “making” things, especially with wire.  While working towards my undergrad degree in fine art, I took a metalsmithing class and began making jewelry.  I was drawn to the tangible aspect of metalworking and intrigued by its malleability.  I still am to this day.

Darlings: When did you start your own line of jewelry?
Connie: I developed a cohesive body of work earning my MFA about 15 years ago.  During this time, I really had a chance to discover my own sense of style and personal way of working with the material.  The pieces were very sculptural and organic, not everyday wear for most.  I’ve since streamlined my collection for wearability, though the movement, texture and organic quality remain intact.

Darlings: Can you describe your technique a bit for us?
Connie: My methods are very direct, with materials methodically manipulated.  I really like to hammer and spend a lot of time applying texture and mark making on metal.  The process is integral to the work and the repetition becomes almost meditative.

Darlings: Who or what inspires you and your work?
Connie: I’m inspired by the natural world and our relationship to it.  My work considers the primal qualities of life and experiences that reveal our “human-ness.”

Darlings: What fashion trends, if any, are influencing your jewelry?
Connie: I’m not typically influenced by current fashion trends, unless subconsciously of course, but I pay attention to line, shape, color, texture-  in everything.

Darlings: Who is your customer? How do you market yourself?
Connie: My customer could be anyone…….young or old, male or female, anyone who appreciates a non-traditional though graceful piece of jewelry.  Believe it or not, my most successful marketing tool is word of mouth.

Darlings: What does your average day entail?
Connie: Average day?  Hmmm…..average month would be more telling.  I’m really all over the place on any given day.  My schedule is dictated by deadlines- who needs what, and when?  Though I’m always working with metal, jewelry making is only one part of how I spend my time.  I make sculpture and installation art, teach metalsmithing at the Creative Arts Workshop in New Haven, CT, maintain a busy exhibition schedule, a studio space, curate shows, a co- founder of City Gallery, a cooperative gallery in New Haven, CT, and home-school two children.

Darlings: What is the hardest part about being in business for yourself?
Connie: The hardest part of being in business for myself is balancing all aspects of work and family obligations.  Constantly changing gears and keeping priorities in order can be a challenge.  Some decisions made are based solely on who is screaming the loudest. (literally!)

Darlings: What is the one item in your wardrobe you can’t live without?
Connie: A good fitting pair of jeans! Or two or three – to dress up or dress down.

Darlings: What one word describes you most?
Connie: Instinctual

Life is lived, and work created, instinctually, and usually after experience and intellect have been exhausted and set aside.

Darlings: Do you have any events you are getting ready for in the near future?
Connie: An upcoming sculpture exhibition of my new work is opening in April, 2009 at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery, UCONN Avery Point campus in Groton, CT.

Darlings: If there was one designer on Smashing Darling that you could ask a question to who would it be? What would you ask them?
Connie: I think Trish of MerGirl is a fabulous designer and more importantly an incredible woman.  I don’t necessarily have a question, but love and appreciate what she (and others) are doing for all of us through smashing darling.

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