There is a first for everything…
I’m rather proud of myself for finally taking the time to write this blog. It only took me being stuck at home, with two sick kids, during a winter storm, our country near collapse (a slight exaggeration) for me to actually compile something I feel would be worth reading…
I guess to start, I will say, what spurred me to write this was my lack of enthusiasm for social media these days. Add in the fact that I tend to be a bit long winded, and what better place to ramble than on my own platform lol I prefer to invest my time into my own website, and write intentional content for people who actually give a shit about my work. I’ve said this before, but I refuse to be a dancing monkey on Instagram, just to appease the Algorithm Gods. So here I am, typing a bit, and I do hope you enjoy reading it, and if you decide to stick around for more, then you must feel as I do: on the verge of insanity, but also trying to hold it down for the people you love, your community, for a fair and kind World <3
2025 has gotten off to a precarious start if I am allowed to say. Rather than reiterate the madness in the world, I thought I would take a moment to share some good things that came out of 2024 for me. I started the year off with a gang of misfits, aka Jewelers, on a trip through the Arizona desert to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show (the largest in the world). It always feels a bit surreal, to follow in my Great Grandfather’s footsteps, and it’s a privilege I don’t take lightly.
The Blanton Museum
In the Spring of 2024 I was invited by the team at the Blanton to demonstrate handweaving as part of the Anni Albers exhibit. It was a huge honor to weave alongside the works of a true Weaving Legend!
Summer Skillz
In the Summer I put my head down and really honed in on my goldsmithing skills. I taught myself how to make a setting that rose to popularity in the 18th century. It came to me quite naturally and it was at this point that I decided I wanted to build a collection using these newly learned techniques.
Pic by the talented Zoe from Potluck Studio
Content Scholarship
At the end of Summer I was awarded a photoshoot opportunity, and was paired with a photographer and provided a professional photo studio to shoot my new collection. It was totally serendipitous because the photographer, Steven Martinez, and I quickly became friends. We had a similar vision for the shoot and I learned quite a lot from him! The shoot took place at Texas Film Studio, my friend Noodles, a local Drag Queen, and Trans model Coky totally served! The whole shoot came together like magic and I couldn’t be more happy with the photos :D
My Hecate Collection is a celebration of genderless adornment. Jewelry is for anyone and everyone, it doesn’t have to fit into a box or a particular style. Jewelry is a bit of magic, a talisman we carry with us each day. I want everyone to feel they can tap into that magic when wearing my work.
I wanted to share my thanks with you all who supported my endeavors in 2024. It’s a weird space to navigate self promotion while watching the world burn; but I hope what I create brings a bit of beauty and joy to your lives. I certainly love creating and connecting with y’all <3
Thanks for reading!
-Zanny