Every artist faces resistance, the pause before the breakthrough. In this three-part series from The Jeweler’s View, metalsmith and creative business coach Courtney Gray explores how makers can move through resistance, trust the process, and take imperfect action to find lasting flow and confidence in their craft.

Jewelry entrepreneur and community builder Brianna Zenna shares how collaboration, mindset, and resilience can shape a thriving creative business. Learn why success isn’t about competition, how to build your business like it’s sellable, and how to choose your hard when things get tough.

Discover how Gesswein, a family-run leader in jewelry tools and technology since 1914, blends legacy, innovation, and hands-on training to help jewelers, manufacturers, and retailers stay ahead of the curve. From electropolishing breakthroughs to shop setups and trade show demos, this conversation with Roger Gesswein shows how values and partnerships shape the future of jewelry making.

Sometimes we just need a guide to hack the weeds out of the way, to shine a light on the trail, and remind us of what we’re capable of. This is my story of clarity, purpose, and making an impact — and how being a lighthouse for others became part of my calling.

Struggle isn’t proof that you’re failing—it’s the raw material of growth. In this post, I share how my son’s creative journey, my own seasons of burnout, and years of running a metalsmithing school taught me that failure, when reflected on, becomes a forge for resilience and innovation.

Some of the world’s greatest innovations—from Post-it Notes to Cartier’s Mystery Clock—were born from mistakes. In jewelry, too, failures often lead to breakthroughs. Here’s how to reframe “happy accidents” and turn setbacks into your next big idea.

This summer tested us in every direction. From endless appointments to the heartbreak of another school rejection, I’ve had to face the truth about control, surrender, and what it means to let my son ride his own waves. Struggle feels like failure sometimes, but it’s also where growth and strength are born.

Mistakes happen—especially when you’re working with gold. In this episode of The Jeweler’s View, master goldsmith Jeanette Caines and I get real about meltdowns, torch fear, and why failure is the fastest path to mastery. We talk about the emotional side of goldsmithing, how to move from panic to confidence, and the value of refining—not just metal, but your mindset.

Gold feels like a finish line—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of The Jeweler’s View, master goldsmith Jeanette Caines shares how to ditch the fear and start working with gold on your own terms. We talk torch work, mindset, materials, and the hidden gold dust story you’ll never forget.

You don’t have to crash to know something’s off. In this reflection, I share seven subtle signs that you might be moving too fast in your creative business—even when everything looks fine on the outside. This isn’t a productivity pep talk. It’s an invitation to pause, reset your rhythm, and reconnect with what really matters.

Watching my teenage son discover peace in planting seeds—quietly checking each pot for signs of life—reminded me of what I’ve been doing all along in my business, art, and life. Planting. Nurturing. Sometimes starting over. Sometimes the seeds need water or a little love, and sometimes they just need to be left alone to do their thing.

Feeling burnt out and under-supported? This Soul Dump Sunday dives into personal boundaries, family stress, and how to step back without falling apart. A must-read for moms, creatives, and caretakers.

“Sometimes resilience isn’t loud. It’s quiet. It’s the pause between reaction and response. This Soul Dump Sunday, I share how one word—intrepid—has helped me stay grounded in the chaos.”

A reflection on growing up fast, telling hard truths, and choosing honesty as a parent. In a life full of storms, I’m learning to embrace the moments in between.

Surrendering isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. In this week’s Soul Dump Sunday, I explore what it means to stop forcing life’s puzzles into place and instead trust the process. And how one wild ER trip with my 5-year-old taught me the difference between survival mode and surrender.

After months of nervous system overload, I’m learning to find calm in the chaos. This one’s about the power of tiny wins, real gratitude, and remembering that one bean is enough.

At 46, I paused long enough to trace the road behind me—and realized just how much I’ve built, burned, and rebuilt again. This isn’t a resume—it’s a reflection. One part grit, one part story, all real. And maybe it’ll inspire you to write yours too.

I thought I was tough—until motherhood showed me a whole new kind of strength. From natural birth to teenage chaos, this is a raw look at what it means to weather the storm, hold the line, and keep showing up. Especially when it's hard.

Staying Inspired When the Muse Decides to Hibernate | Creative Life & Entrepreneurship Throughout my life and my career as a creative...

I'm not sure I'll ever get used to the fact that for every up, there must be a down. For every excitement, a letdown. For every joy, a...