Hot and Ready Detroit

Detroit artist, Tiff Massey, is a powerhouse creator. Her ability to hop from one medium to next and absolutely kill it had a profound affect on me as I walked around her studio. Tiff’s work is bold, vibrant, and demands your full attention.

She’s taken her training as a metal worker and expanded her reach into wearable works of art, larger than life wall hangings, and striking sculptures unlike any you’ve ever seen. Tiff’s latest venture is turning half of her studio into a metalsmithing classroom to teach and house workshops specific to jewelry fabrication. She even plans to offer residencies to the most talented new jewelers.

Inspiration runs rampant in her creative space. Strong hints of fashion, African adornment, music, and the all encompassing spirit of Detroit drive her voice and vision. When I asked Tiff to explain the vibe of the city as of late, this was her response,



“HOT AND READY! Detroit is/was amazing! I can say, things are changing and changing at an alarming rate only in specific areas. I mean, don’t blink too long. Or just don’t blink. Good or bad, things are happening. There’s more art programming, resulting in exhibitions and performances taking place every weekend, which is great…Detroit is a gem. A city like no other, from it’s architecture, residents, and style. Preservation is what Detroit needs or it will end up being another basic city, void of culture. Detroit is no longer used as a pejorative. Everybody loves Detroit.”

I’d take it from Tiff Massey, this girl knows her gems.

Amy Weiks of Smith Shop in Detroit

To wield a hammer, bend metal, and make something with purpose—that requires strength, ability, and the know-how. Amy Weiks, co-owner of Smith Shop in Detroit, says, “The best part of being a metalsmith is reaching the point when you really start to understand the properties of metal, how malleable and how unbelievably strong it can be. Transforming metal into a functional object and then using that object or seeing someone else use it and enjoy it is very rewarding. “

In the photos above, Amy is fabricating buckles for belts that are 100% made in the US. Instead of creating a mold that allows for speedy mass-production, each buckle is forged, formed, soldered, filed, and sanded by hand. With the attention given to each piece, there’s a unique character and quality to the design. It goes beyond utility and fashion trends and transforms into art.

By using her hands and hard-earned skills, Amy has the unlimited potential to create and care for her creations. Elbow grease and talent can get you somewhere. It’s up to you to do the dirty work. Figure things out, have confidence in your abilities, and learn what you can from every experience, even if they are negative.

Amy is wearing: Carhartt Women’s Dodson Shirt & 1889 Slim Double-Front Dungaree.