Janine DeCresenzo: Playing the Long Game as a Working Artist (Art Shows, Business Shifts, & Sustainability)

About this episode

Janine DeCresenzo discusses her journey as a studio jeweler, the challenges of art shows, and her recent business shifts towards sustainability and custom work.

In this episode of Slowmade , I’m joined by Janine DeCresenzo , a studio jeweler who has spent more than twenty years supporting herself through her craft — largely on the art show circuit. Janine shares what it’s really been like to build a life around travel, art festivals, and face-to-face connection with customers, and what that path has taught her about community, stamina, safety, and the long game of being a working artist. We talk honestly about the physical and emotional toll of show life, how priorities shift over time, and what it looks like to step back without walking away from the work you’ve built. Our conversation also explores Janine’s recent business shifts — leaning more into custom work, home trunk shows, and creating a model that feels more balanced and sustainable in this season of her life. We spend time talking about learning as an artist, staying curious, and even how Janine is thoughtfully exploring AI as a tool to support the business side of her work, freeing up more time for the studio. This is a grounded, generous conversation about evolving without erasing your past, listening to what your life is asking for now, and trusting that a creative career…

People in this episode

Host: Christine Mighion

Guest: Janine DeCresenzo

Topics covered

• art shows
• sustainability
• business shifts
• community
• self-care
• custom work

Keywords

• jewelry career
• art festivals
• travel
• emotional toll
• AI tools
• balanced business model

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