142 - Laryssa and Liz Interview Brienne and Chelsea of Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG)

Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by Laryssa Wirstiuk and Liz Kantner, two experts passionate about helping independent jewelry artists thrive.

In Episode #142, we’re thrilled to welcome Brienne Rosner (Executive Director) and Chelsea Rowe (Communications Specialist) of the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG)—a nonprofit that’s been supporting jewelers, metalsmiths, and makers for 50+ years. From exhibitions and conferences to the iconic Metalsmith magazine, SNAG champions community, opportunity, and education across the full spectrum of the field.

In this conversation, Brienne and Chelsea share how SNAG is evolving to be more inclusive and connected than ever—spanning fine jewelry to blacksmithing, students to long-time pros—and how independent designers can plug into resources, find “their people,” and grow.

💌 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What SNAG is, who it serves, and how membership benefits independent designers at every stage

• Simple ways to build community (even if you’re remote)—from monthly In Conversation meetups to NYC Jewelry Week gallery crawls

• How SNAG’s virtual symposium and year-round programming create access and connection

• Why Metalsmith magazine remains a vital platform—and how to pitch or subscribe

• Where to find grants, open calls, jobs, workshops, and more via SNAG’s Opportunities Board

• Inclusive exhibition practices that level the playing field—and what juries look for

✨ For Insiders ONLY, we go even deeper:

• Practical community-building tips for busy makers (how to “just show up,” minus the overwhelm)

• Networking for introverts and artists with social anxiety—realistic ways to make it work

• Smart routines for discovering opportunities (grants, exhibitions, open calls) and staying on top of them

• Photo submission guidelines that help your work shine (clarity, context, cropping)

• How SNAG structures shows, markets, and trunk shows to welcome both emerging and established artists

🎧 Ready to connect with community, opportunity, and visibility? Listen now—and if you’re not yet an Insider, join us for the bonus content at https://patreon.com/SuccesswithJewelry.

About Our Guests
Brienne Rosner is Executive Director at SNAG, where she guides programs spanning exhibitions, conferences, publications, virtual events, and more—bringing together diverse makers across the jewelry and metals community.

Chelsea Rowe is SNAG’s Communications Specialist, amplifying the organization’s mission through social, events, and member outreach; she’s also an artist whose work bridges storytelling and metal.

Join SNAG: https://snagmetalsmith.org/membership/

About Your Hosts
Liz Kantner works with independent jewelry artists to help them find their unique voices and succeed in today's marketplace. With over ten years of experience in jewelry marketing and sales, Liz offers consulting services and digital strategy. She's also the founder of the Stay Gold Collective, a private group providing live training, industry insights, and personalized feedback. Learn more at https://www.lizkantner.com.

Laryssa Wirstiuk is the founder and creative director of Joy Joya, a digital marketing agency for the jewelry industry. She’s the author of Jewelry Marketing Joy and the creator of JoyDeck, a platform designed to make marketing accessible for jewelry makers and designers. Discover more at https://joyjoya.com.