Female Entrepreneur Spotlight: Jewelry Designer, Maddalena Bearzi
With October being National Women’s Small Business Month, it is only but timely to spotlight women entrepreneurs and share and celebrate their inspiring entrepreneurial stories. I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Jewelry Designer, Maddalena Bearzi.
Tell us about your business (what product do you provide and who is your target audience?)
I own my eponymous jewelry business. All work is done by hand, and nothing is mass-produced. This means that each one-off piece signed in my studio is, and will always remain an original jewel.
My jewelry is always inspired by nature and every piece has a unique story. The theme of my latest collection called “incendio” (wildfire) reflects the severe and uncontrolled wildfires and their devastating impact on our ecosystem. This flame-inspired jewelry is a reminder of how climate change is fueling fires in the West and a reminder that we are destroying the only planet we have.
My work at the bench is now well known for the creation of one-off wearable pieces and sustainable limited-edition collections crafted in both, metals and textiles. I enjoy using different types of metals to create my pieces, and I often mix silver, bronze, copper, and gold to create distinctive textures and color tones. I also have a strong commitment to ethical and environmentally-friendly practices.
My target audience is made of people who can appreciate handcrafted pieces that are not mass-produced overseas and who like to wear something unique. I sell online at www.maddalenabearzi.com but also in distinctive shops and gallery stores in the US and worldwide.
I don’t follow any particular style because styles come and go. My goal is to make unique and timeless designs that are not commanded by fashion.
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
I began to pursue my passion for jewelry craftsmanship on my own and later studied metalsmithing at the University of California, Los Angeles. I have also learned some techniques from master silversmith and jeweler Gordon Wainwright and world-recognized jewelry artist Harold O’Connor. My jewelry mostly draws from my experiences in other artistic media such as paint and textiles, and of course, my passion for nature (I am also a marine biologist and the President of the nonprofit Ocean Conservation Society).
In the beginning, I mostly crafted jewelry for friends by joining sustainable textiles with distinctive solid elements such as repurposed metals, upcycled charms, and natural stones. These textile-based creations have expanded to a focus on one-of-a-kind, organic-looking metal jewelry.
What being a business owner means? A lot of work but also a lot of fun. I am a scientist by training, and designing jewelry and making pieces with my hands allows me to use my “creative” part of the brain. And I need that!
What or who has been your greatest influence (inspiration) in business and why?
Nature, of course. Because it’s an endless source of inspiration.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
Being able to manage different careers that I love. I own my eponymous jewelry business, I ran the Ocean Conservation Society and work as a marine biologist studying whales and dolphins in the wild, and I am a published author and a journalist.
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
Don’t follow trends and use your imagination to create.
What is the #1 business goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
Find a better way to better publicize my business online and keep up with the constant changes in social media.
What have you been most thankful for over the past year during the challenges and adversities we’ve all encountered?
My husband, my dog, and the wildlife surrounding me.
What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?
Email: info@maddalenabearzi.com
Website: www.maddalenabearzi.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddalenabearzi/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maddalena-Bearzi-organic-jewelry/153734204685815?sk=wall
