Designing with a Purpose

As a multi-passionate creator my mind is always racing with ideas. Making things is the best part of life for me. According to my mother I was holding a pencil before a spoon. I can't remember a time when I wasn't doing something creative. Jewelry making was a hobby for some time until women continued to express their desire for my designs. I stepped out into doing this full time after leaving my job as a graphic designer and illustrator. Both of which I still do but for my own business now. It has been a really bumpy ride, however my drive to make it more than my lovely hobby but also my income means I have to keep developing and moving forward. This is where the upcycling of materials has come into play and has become a huge aspect of what and how I create. Upcycling has been a financial necessity and of course helps the environment as a big bonus. But now that I'm on this track and have really understood this process it will remain one of the hallmarks of my brand. All of my jewelry is hand cut with scissors. Aside from metals of course, which is why I utilize allot of leather and textiles that are easier to shape with scissors. In addition to jewelry I create my own illustrated textiles that I cut and sew. As well as other garments and accessories. Winning this competition would be a tremendous break for me in getting my business to the next level.

It has been financially challenging growing a business from scratch to say the least. During the pandemic I moved out of my apartment and closed my studio to continue funding my brand. Thankfully I've had a supportive family member who has provided me with a space to create. There was a time when I actually decided to end my business but the call to keep going is just too strong. Because of this the ideas that have flowed through me have been my best yet and I still have so much more to give. I've been giving it all I've got and I'm starting to see some light within the tunnel rather than the end because I'm in just the beginning phase of what I plan to continue doing for a very long time. It's in my blood. Both of my parents were very creative and developed their paths as entrepreneurs as well. That his how I came up with my brand name Honey Beloved. My father was a beekeeper and my mother was the beloved nurturer of our household. They both taught me so much and gave me the mindset to be strong enough to continue doing this. They have always been supportive of my creativity and I'm extremely grateful for that.

Their multitude of talents is what drove me to be a multi passionate creative. I became a graphic designer and illustrator because I used to see my father draw, print and hand cut his product labels himself. He was also a leather craftsman. And he was a sign painter too! My mother is a seamstress and used to make all of my clothes. It was her scraps that I would gather, cut up and hand stitch together to make clothing for my dolls. Now I make clothing for myself. I sell my crafted leather and textile jewelry to amazing fashionable women. And I also illustrate and paint. So it has all come full circle for me. I've spent hundreds of hours practicing all of my talents to be the best creative designer that I can be. A day without creating almost feels like a bust. It brings me such joy to take something from the mind and make it a tangible object that someone can use, love or become better because of. Graphic design allows me to help others as by helping them build a brand for themselves. Not only do I work on the computer in doing this but it's also a hands on process at times. Creating mockups from prints by cutting and assembling is part of the job as well. I'm almost always working with my hands daily and I couldn't be happier doing so.

Thank you for reading my story!