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NMSU sale showcases student work from its jewelry and metalsmithing program
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Tables lined with jewelry made by New Mexico State University Aggies will adorn the campus bookstore Monday, Oct. 27, for the 43rd annual NMSU Student Jewelry Sale.
“This sale is for undergrads and graduate students to participate in, in which they create their unique, handmade pieces to sell,” Julieanna Lerma, NMSU graduate student and event organizer, said.
NMSU jewelry and metalsmithing program students get the chance to participate. Emily Hames, a post-graduate student taking certification courses, said she has participated for three years.
Hames said that over the years, she has learned what customers are looking for, both in precious metal pieces and uniqueness.
“Most people that go to that sale, aren’t looking for mainstream, they’re looking for unique, handmade pieces,” Hames said. “And they’ve been going to that sale for years looking for that, so that’s what you deliver them.”
Lerma participated in the sale when she was an undergraduate and said it was a good learning opportunity.
“Every year, I know that the students get excited to be involved in it,” Lerma said. “It is a great opportunity for them to work on their production skills and work on their name as artists.”
When Hames began selling at the event, she predominantly worked in copper and brass pieces. Over the years, she has transitioned to sterling silver and has found that the materials often speak to her.
“I kind of like the stones speaking for themselves, kind of like make the setting for the stones, not picking the stones for the setting,” Hames said. “And I think you can kind of see that in my work, like you can kind of see that I value the stone’s opinion.”
Lemas said the sale is important for students because it gets them involved with the community and helps them find people interested in their work.
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Hames has also connected with customers during her years at the sale.
“I’ll be sitting as a cashier at the sale, and people will pick up something of mine and be like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so cute,’” Hames said. “And then they buy it. I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m not the only one that likes my stuff.’ I love making something that can make someone else happy.”
“It’s an interesting thing to get to see what people are drawn to and what pieces they pick and kind of like as they’re trying them on in the moment,” Lerma said. “So I think that’s really fun and unique in itself.”
A percentage of sales goes to the artist, with the rest going toward the jewelry and metalsmithing program at NMSU.
Lerma said that jewelry and metalsmithing is not a widely accessible thing within a college.
“So I think it’s really great that NMSU does have such a great program for metal smithing,” Lerma said.
Hames said she has found she likes helping younger students now that she has participated for several years and always gives them the same advice.
“Make something that you love,” Hames said. “If you make a design that you think consumers will love, consumers will not love it, because they can tell that you’re not passionate about it.”
