The Slowmade Mission

Through engaging conversations and shared experiences, Slowmade provides a space for learning and growth, helping artisans navigate the challenges and triumphs of building meaningful, sustainable businesses.

Looking for a supportive community?

At the Slowmade Collective, we understand the quiet, solitary rhythm of this work—and the moments when it would mean everything to share it with someone who truly gets it.

Maybe you're feeling stuck and another Google search won't help.
Maybe you’re pouring your heart into your craft and wishing for deeper connection—people who understand not just your business, but your why.
Maybe you're just craving a place to land, breathe, and remember why you started.

I created the Slowmade Collective because I’ve been there too. I know how essential it is to have a space that feels steady and supportive—where your wins are celebrated, your hard moments are held, and inspiration flows freely through conversation and community.

It’s a gentle, creative sanctuary for makers and metalsmiths—a space to be seen, to reconnect with your voice, and to walk your path in the company of others doing the same.

And the best part?
You can access all of it whenever you need it—for less than the price of your average cabochon.

The Slowmade Collective isn’t just a membership—it’s a living, breathing studio space for your creative business.

Each month, we follow a thoughtful theme that supports where you are right now—from navigating slow seasons to redefining success on your own terms.

We meet for relaxed, encouraging co-working sessions that feel like time spent in a shared studio—where connections grow and showing up is enough—share behind-the-scenes Studio Tours led by fellow members, and learn from one another through honest conversations, creative challenges, and slow reflections.

This isn’t a place to hustle harder. It’s a space to feel less alone, to reconnect with what you love about making, and to build a sustainable business that honors your values.

Every part of the experience is intentionally curated—not to add more to your plate, but to help you find clarity, confidence, and connection.

What’s included? 

  • Monthly reflections, ideas, and prompts—Rooted in a shared theme, these pieces are here to spark thought—not to teach, but to walk alongside your creative process.

  • Supportive conversations with fellow artists
    Real talk, shared insight, and encouragement from people who get it—whether you’re navigating a slow season or celebrating a tiny win.

  • Weekly co-working sessions—A cozy, virtual studio space to show up, work alongside others, and feel less alone in the day-to-day.

  • Casual community meetups—Come as you are. These relaxed online and in-person gatherings are about sharing stories, not strategies.

  • Member-led studio tours—Go behind the scenes with fellow makers—see their tools, their spaces, and the ways they move through the creative process.

  • Community making challenges—No pressure, no prizes—just community-fueled inspiration and a little friendly nudge to try something new. Think “Project Runway” with more time!

  • A gentle, politics-free space—Because sometimes you just need a quiet corner of the internet to breathe and be.

The Collective is here to support you!

The Slowmade Collective is member-driven and always evolving. What we offer grows naturally from the needs, ideas, and rhythms of the people inside. There’s no upselling, no pressure, and no email grabs—just thoughtful, nourishing support rooted in real connection.

You get to choose your pace. Whether you quietly observe or dive all the way in, there’s space for you here. But like any good studio, the more you show up, the more it starts to feel like home.

Go ahead. Take a look inside…

What our members say…

  • “I love being a part of the Slowmade Collective. It’s a place to meet other metalsmiths, a place to ask questions and a place to feel supported. I love the weekly co-working sessions where we all are busy in our own studios but are able to feel the camaraderie of other jewelers busy with their own work. It definitely feels like the community studio that I had always wished I had. Christine has created an inclusive space that people feel safe to share and ask questions.”

    April Ottey

  • “What I love the most about the Slowmade Collective is that it brings together metalsmiths of different skill levels and skill sets who freely share their knowledge and challenges, and offer each other positive support and encouragement. More than just a place to connect with other handmade jewelry artists, it’s a place where education and business development are a focus. Members can involve themselves as much or as little as they like. However, the more you participate the more you get out of it."

    Liette Murphy

  • “I love being part of the Slowmade Collective! There’s nothing better than connecting with other creatives. The sip-and-shares and coworking hours are such a breath of fresh air—perfect for easing the solitude that can come with working solo. It’s so nice to have a space where I can turn to for advice on suppliers, troubleshooting problems, or even just share in celebrating the wins.”

    Stacey Curry

  • Until I joined the Slowmade Collective I hadn’t realized how much I missed the company of other jewelers - being able to geek out about how and why we do what we do. The collective offers support, advice, information, and real connection with other people who understand the challenges of running a handmade business. Whether it’s being introduced to new ideas and information via posts in the various forums, or chatting online during the book club and sip & share, I always leave my time here feeling energized and so grateful to have this resource.

    Julie Mahoney

Membership

Choose the rhythm that works for you.

Monthly membership offers flexibility—you can start or pause anytime. Annual membership includes two months free and is perfect if you’re ready to settle in for the long haul. Either way, I believe the Collective will offer more than just value—it will feel like an investment in yourself.

Wondering where your membership dollars go?

Your support directly sustains the Slowmade Podcast and the Collective itself. Membership dues help cover podcast production, website upkeep, and the Mighty Networks platform we call home. They also allow us to host events, bring in thoughtful guest speakers, and keep this space thriving.

Thank you for helping make this community possible. Your presence truly matters here.

Imagine the relief of talking to someone who truly gets it…

The kind of connection where you don’t have to explain why a certain custom order leaves you spinning, or why posting a reel can feel strangely vulnerable.

Inside the Collective, you’ll meet fellow makers who instantly understand—the stress, the beauty, the in-between moments of building a handmade business. It’s a space where you can talk about the nuances of your craft and your business without having to translate or justify.

Here, you’ll find the kind of support and camaraderie that only comes from being surrounded by people who share your passion and your pace.

This is what you’ll find inside the Slowmade Collective.

When I started my business over 20 years ago, I had no idea what I was doing.

Like so many of us, I stumbled through a lot of trial and error—figuring things out on my own, making plenty of mistakes along the way. Everything shifted when I joined a small, close-knit community of metalsmiths on Etsy. Many of those makers are still dear friends today.

From those early days to building a business beyond what I imagined, I’ve leaned on creative community more than any strategy or system. It’s what’s sustained me through the quiet seasons, the growing pains, and the moments of doubt.

I’ve invested thousands of dollars in courses and mentors over the years. And while I picked up a few useful tips, most of it didn’t fit the kind of business—or life—I was trying to build. I wasn’t interested in complicated funnels or scaling through outsourcing. I wanted to keep making with my own two hands.

That’s why the Collective feels so special. It brings together a range of voices and experiences, and makes space for real, honest conversation among makers. It’s not about formulas—it’s about support, shared wisdom, and finding your way together.

Sometimes it takes a village…

Running a creative business takes a lot of grit. We’ve all felt the highs and lows of sales, the doubts that creep in, the moments where it feels like you’re doing everything “right” but still hitting a wall.

And while our families may cheer us on, we’re often still trying to explain that this isn’t just a hobby—it’s a real business. One we’ve poured our hearts, time, and energy into.

I remember venting to my husband about the struggle to get noticed on Instagram. His solution? To try getting my handmade jewelry on QVC—Yes, QVC.

This is why having a circle of peers who truly understand what you're navigating is so powerful. People who know what it’s like to build something by hand—and who can offer not just empathy, but thoughtful, experience-based support.

That kind of community changes everything.

This is your invitation to join us.

Whether you’re just starting your journey or longing to reconnect with it, there’s a place for you here.

Come settle in. We saved you a seat.