A Thousand Facets

A thousand facets sits with award winning artist Karin Jacobson and they talk about her education, her beginnings as an apprentice of a jeweler in Minnesota and how she develop her brand! Hope you enjoy this fun conversation! About: I began my jewelry journey in 2000 with the launch of my flagship collection at the world-renowned Walker Art Center. Within two years, I was selected as the Grand Winner of the prestigious AJDC New Talent Competition, which helped establish my jewelry as a national brand. Today, I run my business from my sunny studio in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District – the epicenter of a vibrant community of makers. In partnership with my retailers, I am committed to meticulously crafted, beautiful art jewelry. Each piece is made personally by me in my Minneapolis studio, using ethically sourced materials, such as recycled metals and gemstones that are fair trade, recycled, domestically sourced, or purchased from gem buyers who have direct relationships with miners from small, artisanal mines. I have also recently become Fairmined™ licensed and have a new collection in Fairmined™ 18K yellow gold! My current collection is inspired by Origami. These designs push the boundaries of traditional jewelry to become small-scale wearable sculpture. I developed my folding technique to create pieces that have a graceful fluidity and big visual impact, but which are also lightweight and comfortable to wear. You can follow Karin on Instagram @karinjacobsonjewelry, visit her website www.karinjacobson.com Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Baiyang Qiu and they talk about her education as an industrial designer before she was accepted to SCAD. How a dandelion was a catalyst to her voice and her journey to be the incredible artist she is now! This conversation is truly delightful! About: “Inspired by nature and its beautiful forms, I use extremely fine gauge wire of high karat gold and platinum to bring my designs to life. Whether it be a tiny raindrop gliding down a leaf or a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, vine-like wire work becomes a three-dimensional line drawing that captures transitory moments to preserve them in timeless jewelry pieces. The subjective relationship between my work and the body is part of this dichotomy, and jewelry is the medium to present my perspective to the wearer.” You can follow Baiyang on Instagram @baiyangjewelry, visit her website https://baiyangjewelry.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Emily Thatcher and they spoke about her love for making things, her fascination with microbiology and of course, this turned into a history podcast because why not?! Hope you enjoyed this conversation! Artists Statement My voluminous settings, in which I seat the stone, give space to admire their many aspects. The placement of the stone in the setting parallels the microscopic structures that are so fascinating to me. The interplay of light & shadow is another important aspect of my metal work; using gentle curves, intersected by flat plains, creating a simultaneously visually stimulating & tactile finish. Every component in my jewellery is either forged or sand cast as a one-off in my Sheffield studio. The creating of a new piece often begins with me alloying the gold in the studio to my own rich hue which has become the signature of my work. My most recent necklace style, The Camur, is comprised of a handmade chain that I developed with an undulating pattern, using the rich gold contrasting with palladium or oxidised silver to accentuate this aspect. Believing that no part of the piece should be hidden and that every part should be made to be admired, this has led me to incorporate the clasp as the main visual element in the piece. You can follow Emily on Instagram @emilythatcherjeweller, visit her website https://www.emilythatcher.co.uk/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Chris Boland and they talked about his love for minerals, geology and the true meaning of his inspirations. We question what it is to be responsible in the jewelry business and what is the right music to listen while you work! Spoiler alert, we disagree! About Chris Boland My fascination of inorganic structure is used to inform my bespoke jewellery pieces. Strong, bold shapes stress the unique qualities of the inclusions of the gemstones. I draw inspiration from surface treatment of architectural metalwork and sculpture, where marks made during the construction of the work are allowed to remain, often emphasized. For Me, the authorship lies very much in the making on the object. I work in metal, directly exploring the physical properties of the material. What is presented is not a facsimile of works in wax or additive manufacture but a primary reaction of tools on metal. I use traditional manufacturing technique (score-folding, soldering, filing and hand-finishing). From conception, the jewellery is minimal and fundamental. However, through the construction process; complexity is built in to the piece by serendipitous mark making and a real time reaction to a developing form . Always by design, the stone is offered up to the viewer, in a pleasing and unorthodox way. The story of the gemstone is of fundamental importance in my work and so all the stones used are natural and not overly treated. My belief is that it is important to tell the story of the stones using unique designs in metal. You can follow Chris on Instagram @chrisbolanddesigns, visit his website https://www.chrisbolanddesigns.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with the charismatic Allana Lalot and they talk about how she started in the world of sales in the jewelry industry! She had a passion for music and without knowing, she'll be wrapped in the jewelry world! Hope you can join us for this funny, insightful and educational conversation. About Allana: Allana left Australia at 21 in pursuit of a career in the music industry, which landed her in Vancouver, Canada which has been home for the past 17 years. She has worked in the jewelry industry now for 13 years doing everything from PR to marketing and sales - traveling the globe. She started LALOT 5 years ago with a focus on representing jewelry brands/designers that are handmade, responsible and ethical. You can follow Allana on Instagram @allanalalot and @lalotcollective, visit her website https://lalotcollective.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Rachel Jones, they talk about her beginnings in the jewelry world, her inspirations and how she found her voice! We discuss her research on creating the ombre alloys that she is getting known for! Hope you enjoy this wonderful conversation! ABOUT RACHEL Rachel’s handcrafted jewellery brings together colourful gemstones and gold that shifts in light that mesmerize. Brimming with colour, each piece is a one of a kind treasure, that’s brings the joy of colour through artistry and craftsmanship. Inspired by precious jewellery materials, Rachel works with the foundations of jewellery; gold and gemstones. Through hand selecting multi-coloured or colour changing gems to alloying her own gold in-house, Rachel creates future heirlooms with a contemporary twist. Bespoke jewellery allows the wearer to combine their unique gemstone and coloured gold combination, the defines their style and personality. Each piece starts its journey with a gemstone, hand selected by Rachel from trusted suppliers around the world, from Australian opals and sapphires to Brazilian tourmalines and Bolivian Ametrine. Each gemstone is paired with the perfect colour and tone of gold, from buttery 18ct yellow to cool 18ct white or romantic 18ct pink gold. The alchemy of gold is used to craft a spectrum of tones and hues but alloying fine gold, fine silver, copper and sometimes palladium. This means each piece is individual to the wearer and will become a future heirloom to last for generations to come. You can follow Rachel on Instagram @racheljonesjewellery, visit her website https://www.racheljonesjewellery.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Cristina Villegas from Moyo Gems and we talk about the importance of artisanal miner or small-scale miner (ASM). How she help created an environment of education and empowerment of women miners in Kenya and Tanzania to thrive and the importance of educating oneself in the gemstones and gold we use for our jewelry. This is a truly important conversation. About Cristina Maria Villegas is the Director of Sustainable Jewelry & Strategic Initiatives at Pact, a global nonprofit organization at work in 40 countries worldwide. She is a leading expert on responsible mineral sourcing and on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). With deep experience across Africa, Asia and Latin America, she is best known for her specialty in colored gemstones, diamonds, and gold. Cristina is the co-founder of Moyo Gems, a direct sourcing initiative focused on the women gemstone miners and entrepreneurs of East Africa. She is a member of the Gemstone Knowledge Hub, is on the Board of Directors of Ethical Metalsmiths, is an ASM advisor to the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, and is a technical advisor to the Conservation X Prize’s Amazon Grand Challenge. She’s been quoted in Vogue, The Financial Times, The Guardian, Reuters, Wired, JCK, among others. She lectures for Columbia University’s Executive Course on Extractives and for Columbia University’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), where she leads the coursework on ASM. In 2021, she won the top prize in jewelry reform: The IAC Award for Leadership in Responsible Practice in Jewelry. You can follow Cristina on Instagram @cristina.rocks and @moyogems, visit her website www.moyogems.com , www.natureswealth.org Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets talk to Romilly Saumarez Smith and they talk about her beginnings as a book binder, her romance with jewelry and her wonderful translators! About: In Robert McFarlane's The Wild Places he says that “true wildness is hard to find any more but it is still there in the tiny plants, mosses and lichens that live between rocks and tussocks. They are complete worlds in themselves.” I hope that my jewellery might be like that. I use diamond beads and small silver and gold pieces secured either side of a drilled out plate to build up these landscapes. The underside, where the wires are balled with the torch, becomes the roots as if a section of earth has been pulled from the ground. Much of my deep imagination lies under the sea. I like the way that barnacles encrust the surface of things. It's a long process of buildup, a random design that looks completely meant. The making of a piece of jewellery takes time, the placement of small elements doesn't need to be planned too much but builds slowly to a whole. You can follow Romilly on Instagram @romillysaumarezsmith2, visit her website https://www.romillysaumarezsmith.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the premiere of Season two, A thousand facets sits with the incomparable Gabriella Kiss. They have a candid conversation about her childhood, her love for everything nature and her relationship with Ted Muehling. About: Gabriella Kiss’ delicate, figurative jewelry is at once poetic and scientific. Meticulously crafted in the finest materials, her precision reveals the awesome beauty of nature’s nuances. The daughter of a research scientist, Gabriella studied sculpture at New York’s Pratt Institute, learning to make wax models for casting, a technique that now defines her jewelry designs. Through her renowned jewelry, Gabriella gracefully honors her enduring fascination with nature, with life cycles, with birth and death and the universe in between. Gabriella has an eye for the small and is drawn to detail, deriving inspiration from the flora and fauna of nature and the life cycles of the natural world and art history. The pieces are meant to have a personal meaning to the wearer, beyond adornment. “By working in a narrative and symbolic language, I want people to respond and interpret their own personal connections to pieces given to them, or that they choose themselves. My forms are both abstract and/or representational – from a distance, my snake necklace looks like a graceful line drawing, yet up close, the identity of a creature is revealed. These elements of surprise and humor are important in a time where irony and cynicism are everywhere, and sincerity is rare.” You can follow Gabriella on Instagram @gabriellakissjewelry, visit her website https://gabriellakiss.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode, A thousand facets introduces Season 2 of the podcast and answers some of the questions sent on the Instagram stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Todd Reed, they talk about his beginning in the industry, how mentorship changed his life and how living a life with meaning, thoughtfulness and responsibility is his biggest priority. About Todd: Todd Reed is an award-winning American artist and designer whose singular style, incorporating natural and recycled metals, has created an entirely new category of fine jewelry. Over the course of his 30-year career, Todd’s designs have been featured in books and publications including InStyle, Town and Country, Robb Report, Elle Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. His work has adorned celebrities, royals, politicians, and like-minded collectors worldwide. You can follow Todd on Instagram @toddreedjewelry , visit his website https://toddreed.com/ Or if you are in Colorado, visit him at 1911 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302 Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ https://youtu.be/nKQHjg_E0yE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Jenna Fennell from East camp goods and they talked about her education, her beginnings at the Met museum and how she found her voice!. About: Jenna Wainwright Fennell and Andy Fennell, the couple behind East Camp Goods, are metalsmiths based in upstate New York. Jenna is a classically trained goldsmith, who learned the fundamentals of metalsmithing at RISD while an undergraduate at Brown University 20 years ago. Andy is a skilled builder with a BFA in Sculpture from SUNY Purchase, well versed in metal forging at a large and small scale. Their jewelry designs are strongly influenced by their experiences working intimately with objects in the underground workshops of the Metropolitan Museum of Art - as a mount-maker and a crate-builder. Together, they share the creative process in designing and making the East Camp Goods jewelry line, creating bold yet delicate sculptural forms, with a finely tuned balance of scale. Working directly with high karat gold, Jenna and Andy melt, hammer, manipulate, and coax forms into shape from sheet and rod. From chain-making to stone-setting, all steps are performed in-house using old world goldsmithing techniques. You can follow Jenna Fennell on Instagram @eastcampgoods or visit her website https://www.eastcampgoods.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ https://youtu.be/nKQHjg_E0yE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets talks with ten artists that participated at the Goldsmiths' Fair, which is her favorite show. They picked one piece of their collection and talked about their inspiration. MAKE SURE TO SEE THEM ON INSTAGRAM. About Goldsmiths' Fair For more than four decades, Goldsmiths’ Fair has brought together a selection of the UK’s best contemporary jewellers and silversmiths. This year’s 136 exhibitors work across disciplines and materials, each achieving distinct techniques and their own style with precious metals. The Fair gives visitors the opportunity to buy directly from makers and to discuss their skills, practices and inspirations, accompanied by a dedicated talks programme and exhibitions. If you want more information about Goldsmiths' Fair- please visit them at: https://www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk/ instagram: @goldsmithsfair Artist's featured on this interview and where to find them: Emefa Cole https://emefacole.com/ instagram: @emefacolejewellery Mirri Damer https://www.mirridamer.com/ instagram: @mirridamer Aurelie Dellasanta https://www.aureliedellasantajewellery.com/ instagram: @aureliedellasanta Qiang Li instagram: @MuseLi-Q Emmeline Hastings https://www.emmelinehastings.com/ instagram: @emmeline_hastings Clio Saskia https://cliosaskia.co.uk/ instagram: @cliosaskia Bola Lyon http://www.bolalyon.com/ instagram: @bolalyon Carola Solcia https://www.carolasolcia.com/ instagram: @carola.solcia Megan Brown https://www.meganbrownjewellery.com/ instagram: @meganbrownjewellery Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ https://youtu.be/nKQHjg_E0yE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Charlotte Hytting from Facon Facon, they talked about how she fell in love with jewelry from a very young age. They talked about the process of becoming a goldsmith in Denmark and how she'd rather be on the bench making jewelry than anything else. ABOUT Charlotte Christina Hytting, the woman behind Facon Facon, conceptualizes and produces each piece in the collection. She is a goldsmith and a designer; for her, one does not exist without the other. This return to custom production and hands-on creation is evident in her pieces, which make a statement while retaining a feminine and light quality, perfect for the strong modern woman. Born, trained and currently working in Copenhagen, Denmark, Charlotte is now positioning the line to break into the US and other international markets. With names like Skyline, Urban and Revage, the collection draws on architecture and functional design as its inspiration. All pieces are crafted from, 18K gold, containing diamonds and gemstones, evoking a slate sky broken by a ray of sun on a glittering sidewalk. The simple color palate, innovative design and high quality are all part of the Danish aesthetic that characterizes Facon Facon. Trained and educated goldsmith, graduated with honor in Copenhagen. Charlotte has a GIA Diamond Grad diploma from studying in New York City. Now back in Copenhagen with her own Boutique Facon Facon in the center of Copenhagen. From here she makes all pieces by hand. Charlotte has won several prestigious awards, including a medal of excellence from the Queen of Denmark for her craftsmanship during her apprenticeship (2011), the Danish championship for goldsmiths (2011), and the Nordic championship for goldsmiths (2011). You can follow Charlotte Hytting on Instagram @faconfaconjewelry or visit her website -https://www.faconfacon.com/ Visit her Boutique Facon Facon Grønnegade 26 1107 - Copenhagen Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ https://youtu.be/nKQHjg_E0yE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Disa Allsopp, they talk about her upbringing between Barbados and London. How a trip to Mexico inspired her to pursue the world of jewelry. She talks about how resourcefulness dictated her textures and shapes and the importance of responsibly sourcing the materials for her wonderful work. About: Disa Allsopp designs and makes precious jewellery working in 18k gold and sterling silver. Influences come from her love of ancient jewellery ,forging, reticulation are all some of the techniques used in her pieces. Sketching and drawing are all important stages of designing for me,while creating new pieces. Designing rings ,earrings, necklaces, are some of the pieces she makes in her London studio. Gemstones are an integral part of her designs such as diamonds, tourmalines, garnets, sapphires, emeralds and many more. Disa trained in London and Edinburgh and all pieces are handmade. You can follow Disa Allsopp on Instagram @disaallsopp or visit her website https:https://disaallsopp.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ https://youtu.be/nKQHjg_E0yE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand Facets sits with Keira Wraae-Stewart from ætla. they discuss her beginnings in the jewelry industry, how her travels inspired her and how teaching children art can ignite your passion for jewelry all over again! about: ætla was founded in Edinburgh by Keira Wraae-Stewart in 2020, during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic with a view to showcasing and supporting fine jewellery created by talented local, international and lesser known designers and artisans. A major focus of the business has been to provide clients with a range of luxury, designer jewellery created through sustainable and ethically responsible means. Before launching ætla, Keira worked in the design and manufacture of jewellery in both London and Thailand for over 10 years, at a number of well established brands including Vivienne Westwood and Maria Francesca Pepe. Of both Faroese & Scottish descent, Keira decided to return to the UK to launch ætla; the boutique maintains its Scottish roots - being intertwined within Edinburgh‘s majestic City Centre - whilst clearly embracing the Faroese/Scandinavian aesthetic sensibilities that have greatly influenced Keira throughout her life. You can follow Keira Wraae-Stewart on Instagram @_aetla_ or visit her website https://www.aetla.co.uk/ Store location: 46 St Stephen Street in Edinburgh Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ https://youtu.be/nKQHjg_E0yE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Ananda Khalsa about how she started her jewelry journey, how she created her voice with her hand painted jewelry and we talk about her wonderful store! Ananda draws inspiration from natural forms, and the vibrant luminosity of natural gemstones. She strives to capture the precious quality found in ancient jewelry, while creating pieces with a modern sensibility. All of the gems used are hand picked for their unique and exceptional characteristics. Many of her pieces contain an original painting on paper, which is set behind crystal in silver or 22k gold. An important influence in Ananda's work is the powerful symbolism behind each of the subjects she chooses to paint. Each of Ananda’s pieces is handcrafted in her studio in Northampton, Massachusetts by Ananda and her highly skilled team of jewelers. You can follow Ananda Khalsa on Instagram @anandakhalsajewelry or visit her website https://anandakhalsa.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ https://youtu.be/nKQHjg_E0yE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets talks to curators of Gillwing jewellery Sarah Burns and Jade Mellor about how they started their journey in the jewelry industry, how they found themselves in Gillwing Jewellery and how they have created a very special place for jewelry artists to share their art and how they have made the shop an integral part of their community. About Gillwing: Established over 20 years ago, we continually strive to source the most unusual and beautiful jewellery pieces to showcase in our Islington gallery. "HANDMADE ON THE HIGH-STREET" Today we feature over 50 artists, specially selected for their quality, inventiveness and originality. By visiting international exhibitions as well as graduate shows we bring you the best established names as well as exciting fresh talent on the cutting edge of design. PASSIONATE ABOUT JEWELLERY Jewellery is our life's passion and we love creating bespoke pieces to meet your needs and desires. By working closely with our artists we enjoy bringing your special requests to life. You can follow Gillwing jewellery on Instagram @gillwingjewellery, Sarah Burns @sarahburnscollins and Jade Mellor @jademellorjewellery or visit their website https://gillwingjewellery.com/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ https://youtu.be/nKQHjg_E0yE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jay Moncada is behind perpetuum jewels, a supplier of antique diamonds and responsibly sourced gemstones. He has made his life purpose to educate himself and others on how to create a business that is environmentally responsible. He serves at the board of Ethical Metalsmiths and collaborates with pure earth! Perpetuum Jewels was founded on the premise that the traditionally obscure paradigm of the jewelry industry is to be disrupted, not by large enterprise but by small community, grassroots efforts and independent voices. About Ethical Metalsmiths: EM is a community of caring buyers, jewelers, designers, and suppliers committed to responsible, environmentally-sound practices for all facets of the Jewelry Industry. Their mission is to inspire responsible jewelry practices through education, connection and action. Perpetuum Jewels is a supplier member and supporter of this non-profit organization. We firmly believe this community offers the most diverse voice of professionals truly committed to an ever evolving sustainable practice and they represent the most positive outlook for all of the jewelry trade, from mine to consumer. Jay serves as board member and Treasurer of Ethical Metalsmiths since 2018 About Pure Earth: In collaboration with jewelry designers, we donate gems for jewels to be auctioned off during the yearly fundraiser by Pure Earth, a global leader in toxic pollution cleanup. Since 2017, Perpetuum Jewels has participated with Pure Earth to help raise over $100k to support their ongoing efforts in the cleanup and elimination of legacy pollution in the developing world, with great focus on lead and mercury alleviation. You can follow Jay on Instagram @perpetuumjewels.bling and @perpetuumjewels (for Trade), visit his website https://www.perpetuumjewels.com/ https://ethicalmetalsmiths.org/ https://www.pureearth.org/ Please visit @athousandfacets on Instagram to see some of the work discussed in this episode. Music by @chris_keys__ https://youtu.be/nKQHjg_E0yE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A thousand facets sits with Shakti Ellenwood, she thinks of jewelry as a powerful vehicle to transmit positivity. She creates a bond with her designs that will carry to the wearer! Her responsible practices makes her work so much more special. Shakti Ellenwood is a renowned designer of ethical jewellery, whose handcrafted creations offer a unique blend of beauty and integrity. Shakti Ellenwood is a different kind of goldsmith. Her approach to jewellery making comes from a unique talent to heal through the medium of gold. After 25 years of sitting in ceremonies with indigenous elders and shamans, she learnt that jewellery could be a key to unlocking the wearer’s full potential and generating more happiness in their lives. Handcrafted in her London studio, her talismanic jewels are created consciously while singing ancient Indian mantras and weaving spells, dreams and blessings into their very bones. Her amulets are animals and symbols each has a healing vibration, often accompanied with a story told by elders and tribespeople. For each piece to carry the highest vibration of love, she works only with 18ct Fairtrade gold from Peru. This traceable gold is called ‘gold with heart’ for it supports and protects the small-scale artisan miners with care for the environment and wildlife around the mines. While making wedding and engagement rings, she puts blessings into the rings for the couple’s journey through life together. She loves to hear couple’s stories and can tailor the prayers according to each couple’s unique wishes. Shakti is a B-Corp certified goldsmith. She has the highest earning score of all jewellers in the UK and was voted “Best For The World 2022” for her commitment to giving back. In 2022 she donated over 2% of her sales to social and environmental causes. She is also a Fairtrade licensee. She trained in San Francisco from 1995 under fifth-generation Armenian master goldsmith Hratch Nargizian, launching her own company in 2000. Her work now melds the artisanal skills passed down through centuries of fine jewellery craftsmanship with her own distinctive visual style. You can find Shakti Ellenwood on Instagram @shaktiellenwood or her website https://www.shaktiellenwood.com/ Music by @chris_keys__ https://youtu.be/nKQHjg_E0yE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices