Hey Changed Tribe--
Although it been a couple of weeks, I have so much to share! First let's recap:
Gems and Estates
Our event with Dream Bridge Realty was a success! We enjoyed charcuterie and wine in a beautiful Parade of Homes setting. I then shared the journey of Changed Impressions and allowed others try on jewelry, take pictures, and even shop :). To say the least, I love being able to connect with others this way, and since it was my first event since Cameron, it was a wonderful way to connect and envision the future of our events.
The Limited Opal Collection
I told Remy recently I don't harp on this enough, but my first release was a huge success! I took a chance and purchased a limited amount of gemstones and crafted from the heart and it was well received! Thank you to those that purchased and supported the collection! It truly meant a lot...
I still have a few pieces left by the way, so if you've been waiting for a chance to own one of these pieces, now is your chance!
*shameless plug here lol*
Things to Come
I mentioned briefly in an email that I was partnering with a non-profit on a jewelry piece as a way to give back and it's coming next week! And as a Tribe insider I wanted to give you the scoop...it's with The No Woman No Girl Initiative!
Founder, Shirnetta J. Harrell, responded to a call to supply hope, essential needs, and education to women and girls in the Triangle area no matter their circumstances in life. The H.O.P.E necklace was created to assist their current H.O.P.E campaign, by giving back 15% back of the proceeds to the NWNG organization! I hope you will be interested in purchasing one of these beauties!
The H.O.P.E necklace was created honestly in a simple yet beautiful way to highlight the logo colors of the organization: pink and blue. I selected the beautiful London Blue Topaz and the Mystic Pink Topaz for these necklaces and bezeled it in a 14k gold-filled chain.
The goal is to bring awareness to NWNG and also to give back in a way that supports their cause! The necklaces will drop next week and I will be partnering with Kiara Ruth from the Banana Moon blog to bring both awareness and share a giveaway opportunity on IG. If you follow along on IG, be sure to check it out and please participate :).
A Look Back...
Today we celebrate Juneteenth and I would be remiss if I didn't look back to reflect on all that has been accomplished within the Black community and the opportunities and doors that it has opened for someone like me...a daughter of two immigrants from the Caribbean diaspora.
The history of Black American jewelry designers is marked by resilience and creativity because they operated under anonymity due to challenges in accessing education, employment, apprenticeships, and resources. Yet Despite these challenges, a few trailblazers achieved significant success.
Art Smith, for instance, emerged as a prominent 20th-century designer known for his modernist, wearable sculptures.
Winifred Mason Chenet, another pioneer, was a mentor to Smith and created unique pieces from non-precious materials, breaking conventional norms.
Bill Smith, recognized with a Coty Award, contributed African-inspired designs to major brands like Cartier, enriching the industry with his cultural heritage.
I'll share the links below to some pretty cool articles I found on the subject!
As I continue to learn and hone my craft, I recognize that there have always been people in the room. The ones that paved the way continue to inspire and motivate me along the journey.
Every point in my journey gets me closer to my vision inspired by the birth of my daughter Cameron. This is a vision to create heirloom pieces that showcase intentionality and timeless elegance.
Thank you for being part of this journey....I'm thankful to God for it all. And I'm grateful for the continued support.
Until next time :),
Nik B.
Article references for Juneteenth found here:
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