About the Artist
When Did I Start Making Jewelry?
Recently another artist, one with a formal art education, excitedly asked me what the first piece of jewelry I made was. I tried thinking back on pieces I’ve made but I was struggling to answer the question. “Uh…that’s okay” they muttered after a longer-than-usual awkward pause with my furrowing brow. It took me awhile, but I realized that I have made jewelry in many different forms and mediums since I was a child. I couldn’t decide what
“counted” as the first one; what was worthy enough of sharing?
I did not label myself as a jewelry maker in any of the various
stages while growing up. I was simply creating to create, like I have done with
any of the crafts or art mediums I happen to pick up. Creating has always been
an active part of my life but not one that I’ve even recognized was there.
Making art, exploring, and seeking beauty in the mundane has been a part of who
I am.
I beaded pieces with glass beads from the craft store from the ages of eight to eleven. I gifted out these questionable jewelry pieces to my polite family members who pretended to love them when they received them. As a pre-teen I recall creating bigger pendants with beads and wire I found in my dad’s toolbox from the garage. In college, I created an impromptu line of jewelry upcycled from bottle caps from local breweries. I was often carrying around various baggies of random findings and seed beads to make things instead of studying in between classes. In the summer while backpacking Europe for a couple of months, I pieced together necklaces with materials I found from local shops to pass the time on the train rides...
A few years after college I took an impromptu trip to Bali and bought a few stones from a local market, then popped into a metalsmithing class being offered at a family home in Ubud. As it turns out, making jewelry has been weaved into my life all along.
An Introduction
Hi Goddess, I’m Selina, the designer and maker of Desert Goddess Jewelry. I create unique New Mexico inspired jewelry for free-spirited women with a focus on self-empowerment. If you are like me, you strive to live life according to your values and are prone to going against the grain in pursuit of authenticity. You also enjoy unique, intentionally made adornment, with a story
that makes you feel powerful when worn. Since I was young, wearing a piece of jewelry that resonates with me made me feel like the best version of myself and that’s the kind of jewelry I make for other women!
Born and Raised in New Mexico
I was fortunate enough to grow up in Santa Fe, New Mexico where I was raised by my father, a multi-generational Hispanic New Mexican, and by my mother, a first-generation New Mexican artist. I was influenced by symbolism in the Catholic Church from my father’s side and was
creatively inspired by my mother who subtly wove artistic expression into most things she did. Of course, growing up this way made it very easy to take these things for granted. I had all the same inclinations but did not consider myself an artist till much later. Now these art influenced aspects of myself drive my creativity and passion in my work.
Loss and Growing Through Grief
In college I pursued Sustainability Studies focusing on Social Justice and Economic Equity. I thought I would end up in the non-profit world to try and make a difference. However, I lost my mother suddenly while still in
school which ultimately changed my trajectory. My studies were a great distraction from my grief, but once I finished my undergraduate degree, I was severely depressed. I was burnt out and felt lost. I did not feel ready to
pursue a professional career while trying to heal from such a loss.
At this point I worked odd jobs, took some time to travel, pursued various hobbies, and read A LOT of self-help books. One of the books I read suggested pursuing things that return us to our inner child. Upon self-reflection, the things that lit me up as a child were things like finding/collecting rocks, beading, and playing dress up. Around the same time, I took a couple of metalsmithing courses at the Santa Fe Community College. I wanted to do something for the sake of “playing” with my hands. It also had the dual purpose of honoring my mother by doing something creative while working through my grief.
When It Clicked
I loved metalsmithing and it felt very aligned with my interests. Subconsciously I was arriving at a place where I was able to collect rocks, make jewelry, and play dress up in my adult life. I had early success in making and selling my jewelry, but I continued pursuing other jobs for several years. However, every step of the way, my life kept bringing me back to jewelry making. It finally became so obvious through various life events, that that is the path I was meant to pursue.
Art Symbolism
My work incorporates symbolism from Catholicism, architectural elements, and symbolism from New Mexican folk art. I employ traditional metalsmithing techniques, wire wrapping techniques, and non-traditional techniques I have picked up along the way. I am still actively learning new skills and spending time to improve my craft. The themes my work explores are
spirituality, Hispanic culture, resistance, and self-empowerment.
At Present
Today I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico with my partner, his bunny, and my beloved dog. When I am not creating jewelry, I am spending time with my loved ones and taking my dog out on adventures. I also find ways to host crafting parties with friends to try out other art mediums for fun. I am a huge sucker for animals too so it’s not unlikely to find me trying to hug random animals (or livestock) I probably shouldn’t.
Lastly
Lastly Thank you for your interest and for taking the time to learn more. I hope you find the adornment that makes you feel like the Goddess that you are. Discover some possibilities
