Hi! I’m Jenya and I’m the artist behind Moon and Mountain Designs.
My journey into metalsmithing was somewhat meandering. I have always loved working with my hands and have explored a variety of mediums over the years, including ceramics and painting, but nothing ever stuck. I was looking for a way to express my creativity authentically and after trying out a variety of art forms, my path eventually led me here. I don’t have much formal training in this craft and much of my learning has been through trial and error; through dreaming up an idea and seeing if my hands can bring it to life. It has been, and continues to be, a process of exploration and growth.
What I love most about metalsmithing is that it’s a meditative practice for me. There’s a level of precision that exists in the art form that you can neither rush nor muscle your way through and oftentimes the product that comes out on the other side is a reflection of how you show up at the bench -- of your state of mind. Whether scattered, grounded, steady or light, I believe that all art carries within it the energy of the person who created it.
So, it’s a constant practice of mindfulness for me, of finding the flow in both my thoughts and actions, of learning to move through discomfort, and more often than not, of moving forward after failure and starting again. It’s a work in progress and one that I imagine will never be perfect. But, I like the imperfection of it all, because having room for growth means I am evolving, and to me, there is beauty in that.
When I’m not behind the bench, you can find me in the mountains, the ocean, and in wide open spaces.
