Life & Work with Lori Nease of Studio 4150

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Nease. 

Hi Lori, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I sat on my grandparents’ basement steps and started watching my grandfather do his woodworking projects. I was always with him. Then when I was in high school, I learned how to sew in home economics and decided to try some clothing pieces for myself. I purchased the fabric etc., with my baby-sitting money. 

I drifted away from the creativity for a while and then years later decided to start making some jewelry for extra money. I started with beads and eventually got into metal stamping and metal smithing, which is my love. I opened my Etsy shop in 2011 and have continued. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I had a brief time in May of 2020 when I took a bad fall and shattered my dominant hand which forced me to temporarily close my shop. I have had to make some adjustments because of the injury but continue to enjoy my time at the work bench adjusting what I can and can’t do. The economy has also affected my business at times. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Creativity has always been a part of my life. My son Gabriel was born in 1991, and I decided to leave the corporate world and stay home with him. I’m also a Makeup Artist and have also continued that to present. 

I am of Finnish heritage and so that has been incorporated into my metal stamping jewelry. (SISU -which means: Grit, Tenancity and Perseverance in the face of extreme adversity) has been a huge seller for me, Which I’ve shipped all over the world. I’m very proud of my Heritage. My Grandfather was 100% Finnish, His parents came from Finland. I think the SISU jewelry sets me apart from many. 

I use copper tubing (Copper Country, in the Kewaunee is a special place where by Grandparents first settled) so Copper material and SISU go hand in hand. I also hand saw many of my blanks that I stamp on. I love to solder also and have used pieces of authentic sea glass from the beaches of Maui that were hand-picked by me. 

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I can be a Hot Mess Express kinda girl, but I know where everything is in my studio. I was a tomboy growing up and because of my jewelry and being a makeup artist people are surprised when they hear that.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.etsy.com/shop/studio4150
• Instagram:www.instagram.com/studio4150
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lori.nease
• Other: www.instagram.com/alifestylewithlorinease