Meet a Maker: Edition 3

Meet Melissa Montague

1. What is your craft and how did you get into it?

I am a metalsmith. I went to university to study metalwork and jewellery back in 2003. Following a break for a few years, I returned to do an MA in Design at Sheffield Hallam University in 2012 and have been working with metal ever since. I specialise in hammer forming techniques.

2. What is one interesting fact about you?

I originally wanted to be a Fashion/Costume Designer until one of my art college tutors suggested jewellery as my drawings were so tiny. Then I discovered metal.

3. How long have you been making?

I have been making things since I was young, having grown up in the 1980s in a crafty house. When I was a teenager my mum used to take me to a local bead shop where I would choose elements to make earrings. I first discovered metal while I was at art college, particularly copper and the amazing colours you get when you heat it.

4. Who is/are your favourite maker(s) in your craft? Anyone you admire in your craft field? 

David Clarke, silversmith – I love the sense of humour in the work he makes and the interesting ways of working with metal that are often unexpected.

5. What is the most challenging skill/technique you learned in your craft?

For me the most challenging technique to learn was soldering, so for a long time I avoided it. Hammering had its challenges, but I felt more naturally able to overcome them. Now I love soldering and if I have a frustrating soldering job I usually go and hammer something for a while, then go back to the soldering.

 6. What is your favourite part of your craft?

My favourite part is seeing the different stages of the piece as it develops. I take a lot of photos to document these stages as they are rarely seen by anyone else.

7. What project are you most proud of and why?

I am most proud of my recent research and development project which was funded by Arts Council England, because it really took me away from my comfort zone and I didn’t know what would happen. It has progressed slightly slower than I anticipated, but I want to do the work justice. I hope to show the outcomes of this project later in the year.

8. If someone who knows nothing about your craft could know one thing, what would it be and why?

Hammering metal is very therapeutic. The act of hammering is good for the soul, because you can see your impact immediately. Hammering for any length of time you will get into a flow state and really just focus on what is in front of you.

Learn more about Melissa