Meet the Team
Laura Q
Owner & Founder
For more than 30 years, Laura has built a career as a professional artist, metalsmith, jewelry designer, and instructor. Since making San Antonio her home in 1998, she has developed lasting relationships with private collectors, galleries, and jewelry shops throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Laura earned her BFA in Metals and Graphic Design from the University of Texas at El Paso, studying under master metalsmith Rachelle Thiewes.
As the founder and designer behind Laura Q Designs, Laura maintains an active studio practice creating one-of-a-kind jewelry while continuing to teach and share the craft she loves. For nearly 10 years, she has taught metalsmithing, in her private studio and most notably at the Southwest School of Art, now part of the University of Texas San Antonio, where she has had the privilege of introducing generations of students to the possibilities of working with metal.
Flame & Form Metals Studio + Gallery is the realization of a dream Laura has carried for years: to create more than a place to make jewelry—a welcoming, creative community where people can learn a craft, experiment, challenge themselves, and feel genuinely proud of what they make.
30+ years of making. Nearly 10 years of teaching. One big dream brought to life.
Denise McCoy is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative journey has spanned metalsmithing, painting, printmaking, theatre, costume and set design, and mixed media drawing. She earned her BA in Fine Art from the University of Toledo/Toledo Museum of Art and attended Carnegie Mellon University’s Costume and Set Design.
After years focused on mixed media drawing, Denise metalsmithing work brings a fresh, artistic perspective to jewelry making. She is especially passionate about pearl necklace design and assembly, exploring creative ways to combine pearls, metal, texture, and unexpected details into distinctive, wearable pieces.
We are thrilled to have Denise teaching basic metalsmithing classes at Flame&Form. Her broad artistic experience and thoughtful approach make her an inspiring guide for students eager to explore the fundamentals of working with metal.
Denise McCoy
Instructor & Studio Monitor
Rebecca is a jewelry artist and metalsmith who has spent the past year discovering and developing her passion for working with metal.
Rebecca is an inspiring apprentice with a love for teaching, learning and a natural talent for organization. As a studio monitor volunteer at Flame & Form, she brings curiosity, dedication, and a welcoming spirit to the studio. She enjoys exploring new techniques, experimenting with materials, and helping create a space where everyone feels encouraged to learn and grow.
We are excited to have Rebecca teach “make & take” fun 3 hour classes where her personality and amazing attitude really shines.
Rebecca Garcia
Apprentice, Instructor & Studio Monitor
With a degree in Communications and Art from Trinity University, Savannah brings her storytelling and marketing skills to Flame & Form. From managing social media to designing postcards and calendars, she loves helping share the studio’s vibrant creative community while continuing to explore metalsmithing as a student. Savannah’s love for metalsmithing first sparked while studying abroad in Florence, Italy. Almost 2 years later, attending the open house at Flame and Form Studio reignited that passion and reopened that door. Her passion for creativity is a way of life, both inside and outside the studio. We love Savanah’s wonderful communication skills, creative ideas and willingness to work in different projects.
Savannah Salazar
Marketing Coordinator
