#mmmonthofamaker

Flashbacks aka TBT a few of Formia Design’s press features through the years! The Today Show 2015 was second time on the show, first time was 2010 (unfortunately missing photos from that time) @formiadesign Day #11 #mmmonthofamaker . . #formiadesign #flashbacks #mediaflashbacks #inthepress #pressfeatures #hodakotb #todayshow #giftfeature #bestgiftsever #customgifts #keychain #personalizedgifts #kidsartwork #xmasgifts (at Formia Design) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWKI6s6lzVQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

“Community” is humans great need of “belonging” And my community is everyone who touches my daily life, my tribe as I prefer calling the ones in the top tier of my own pyramid ❤️ Our community gives us all purpose! Day 6 in A month of a makers life, check it out #mmmonthofamaker Kids community is small the first years, family drawings is a popular scene for the “attached pendant necklace” @formiadesign . . #family #friends #collueges #mytribe #belonging #community #purpose #mycommunity #communitieschange #communitypyramid #familynecklace #familydrawing #selfacceptance #authentic (at Formia Design) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV_HTJaFf8V/?utm_medium=tumblr

Day 5 in the challenge A month of a makers life #mmmonthofamaker “Raw materials” Precious metals and gemstones are the main materials in my work. But once in a while there is odd materials crossing my table like resin, leather, fabric, wood, beach findings, hairs… even teeth or ashes from someone’s loved one ❤️ Creating meaningful keepsakes does present it self with very unique requests! @formiadesign . . #formiadesign #rawmaterials #presiousmetals #genuinegemstones #jewelrymakingfun #goldsmithmaterials #gold #silver #platunim #gemstones (at Formia Design) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV_E2oAFfeG/?utm_medium=tumblr

“Work in progress” day 4 in A Month of a makers life you can follow along: #mmmonthofamaker When I think of what’s in progress I realize pretty quickly that I definitely work on several types of jobs simultaneously through a day, cutting out art, creating parts for new pieces, repairing old jewelry and setting stones (and more) And each process involves more than one order/piece to save time…. One can try right? I’ve Always wished days were longer 🤓 @formiadesign . . #workmovie #workmode #workbench #jeweler #workinprogress #jewelersbench #goldsmith #lifeofamaker #charlottesvillejeweler #downtowncharlottesville #cville #cvillelocal #cvilleart #cvilleartisan #stonesetting #jewelerssaw #smallbusiness #artisanstudiotour (at Formia Design) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV7r_-sFiT-/?utm_medium=tumblr

😱 Shit happens… to a makers hands!!!! Saw blades pierced into my fingers hasn’t happened just ones, this is the thumb was the latest one (which didn’t require surgical removal) the two others did! Now I wear a leather glove meant for archery 🏹 while cutting titanium! @formiadesign Day 3 of #mmmonthofamaker & #handsthatmake . . #jewelershands #ouch #jewelerslife #jewelerssaw #accident #sawingtitanium #shithappens #xray #sawbladeinjury #luckysawbladesarethin #goldsmithing #goldsmithtools (at Formia Design) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV5Q8B4FEQW/?utm_medium=tumblr

I’ll walk you through my new workspace 💎⚖️⚒⛓💍#mmmonthofamaker @formiadesign Only a few weeks old my space daily finds it self in transition to fit my work flow and routine! Definitely a space to grow in!! . . #formiadesign #mylifeasagoldsmith #Goldsmith #goldsmithbench #goldsmithstudio #jewelrystudio #makersgonnamake #metalmavens #jewelrymaking (at Formia Design) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV3eJuOFEQO/?utm_medium=tumblr

Realizing it has not been shown here in a long time who is behind Formia Design!! Therefore when @metalmavens invited to a monthly challenge I thought I’d catch on!! #mmmonthofamaker Starting with day 1 called “Introduction” (never mind I’m 2 days late) I am Mia, and I started my days as a “creator/maker” already 33 years ago (only 16yrs old) in Sweden where I grew up. After 3 yrs in Goldsmith technical trade school I worked under a Goldsmith Master for 5 years and became a Master myself in 1996, that year I was told I was Sweden’s youngest female Goldsmith Master 💪🏼 My experience grew while working for one of the highly respected jewelers in Stockholm @ateljeguldbros And in 2000 it was time to start my own business and @formiadesign was formed (Swedish born just like me) A few years later LOVE brought me overseas to experience Charlottesville, VA. And although the move to USA was eminent my first born arrived in Sweden 2005 but my second daughter was born here in Charlottesville 2007. My passion of making jewelry has over the years grown into developing my own esthetics supported by my trades traditions and techniques to back me up. I would describe my work as, simple yet sophisticated, modern but timeless, bold through elegance and stands out as different! During my girls toddler years I created the idea of children’s art as jewelry and it exploded on national TV (the Today show 2010) and it created a small chaos in my home studio for a few years after a ripple effect through various worldwide media. This is still today a huge part of my work! I’m practicing everyday the balance between running my business “with wearing every hat of a one person business” and enjoying my family and all their activities 😅 (puh) It can definitely be a challenge at times but trying to remember to enjoy it… after all I’m living my dream of being on my own as a maker full time on my own payroll 🥰 Most recent only two weeks ago I moved from a shared studio space to my own studio/Store on the Down Town Mall in Charlottesville! OH boy it is still freakin weird to say that word “store” but it’s happening!! 😍 it has just started… (at Formia Design) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV1cpYtljyq/?utm_medium=tumblr