Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Lee.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rebecca. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there
Though my background is in fine art, it took me a few years to arrive at metal smithing/jewelry making. My artistic practice stalled a bit after college, but it was a particularly difficult time in my life that prompted me to explore jewelry creation. I was looking for a way to silence my brain and engage my hands. Jewelry has proven to be a meditative process for me and through extensive trial and error, YouTube university, and active experimentation, I now feel comfortable calling myself a metalsmith.
These days it has moved past just a meditative process and into a way to explore themes that are affecting my community. It has also most recently led me back to my artistic practice of photography. Now each collection is accompanied by a series of photographs. The last grouping of pieces I created was based on the theme of tenderness and asking questions around the subject. How does tenderness show up in our lives, are we being tender with our families, friends, and the people we share space with on a daily basis? I worked with the crystals pink tourmaline and apatite to facilitate loving exchanges and clear communication. Those pieces and photographs are a reminder to be tender. I am looking forward to continuing to work in this larger way that mixes the tactile and cerebral.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth would not be the word I’d use to describe this process. I’m not sure if any artist can say their path has been without tension whether it’s mental or physical I’ve encountered both. Jewelry making is an expensive venture to take on and it hasn’t always been easy to procure materials or tools to create the ideas in my head. I also battle feelings of worth with the work I’m creating. I’d love to say that these struggles have dissipated but in truth, I’ve just gotten better at managing them and trusting the universe to match the work I’m putting in.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Blavk Jewelry story. Tell us more about the business.
Blavk Jewelry is an extension of my spiritual practice and a means for me not only to heal myself but to assist others in their healing. That means consulting with folks who are trying to push through a difficult time or trying to enhance energy in their lives to create a piece of jewelry that can assist them. That process starts with a conversation where I consult tarot to get the spirit’s answers and from those answers, I pick crystals and gemstones that assist in either amplifying or removing energies surrounding them. Then I get to work creating a custom piece of jewelry for them to use as a talisman and or shield as they navigate this world.
It’s really important to me that this process is available to black and brown folks because as spirituality has become more commercial and trendy we are routinely shut out of this modality for healing. I work with each person individually to set pricing for custom healing pieces.
Twice a year I create a new body of work based on either an idea that is relevant to the time or a specific crystal that calls me to work with it. Most folks know me for creating delicate crystal jewelry that is charged with intention and strengthened by my magical practice. Currently, I’m in the process of creating a body of work that centers on the protection of black people. Creating talismans and actual shields that are fortified by magic to provide a layer of protection in this incredibly unsafe world.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Trust has been a big word for me as I continue down this road of creating. Of course, racism and gate keeping play a huge role in who’s voices are amplified and whose we don’t hear. As an individual, there is only so much I can do to combat that, however, what I can do is lean on my ancestors and trust the signals I get from the world around me.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 9542540108
- Email: blavkjewelry@gmail.com
- Instagram: @blavkjewelry
- Website: www.blavkjewelry.cargo.site
Image Credit:
Emanuel Alvarez (action shots)
Suggest a story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
