Designers and makers will take over the store on March 20 to show and sell their jewelry for the Black Jewelry Designers & Makers Pop Up at Robert Goodman Jewelers.
Meet a couple of the designers below:
Michelle Woodruff
Why are you participating in this event?
It’s an opportunity to show the community that there are talented people of color creating unique pieces of art daily. It is very important for everyone to see this is bigger than the items being sold, it shows the power of community. Meaning we need each other. Robert and Rose-Marie have chosen to be the vessel for this type of community activism.
Tell us about the type and style of jewelry you create.
My goal is to create art you can wear. Vibrant pieces that invoke conversations. One-of-a-kind pieces that speak to the individual.
What is most unique about your creations?
The mixture of different materials – everything from paper, wood, metals, wire, and beading. All pieces include an inspiring message.
Where else can someone find or buy your jewelry?
On my Instagram page @yvettemichellejewelryco.
Celestial Beading
Why are you participating in this event?
I’m participating in this event because I feel like it will be a great opportunity to meet other black jewelry makers and jewelry lovers from Indiana. This opportunity is unique because it seems like the jewelry community tends to get overshadowed or forgotten, so I absolutely love the fact that I have the opportunity to be a part of an event dedicated to jewelry makers, especially black jewelry makers.
Tell us about the type and style of jewelry you create.
I create wearable beaded and wire jewelry and accessories including bracelets, anklets, necklaces, earrings, waistbeads, nose cuffs, eyeglass chains, and more.
What is most unique about your creations?
The most unique thing about my creations is the different bead arrangements I do for each piece. I can arrange them with various colors and style of bead, I can add charms or stones, or words and that gives each piece its own characteristic that you can’t find in stores.
How long have you been designing jewelry?
I have been designing jewelry since April of 2020, when the pandemic was just beginning. It started as a hobby and then I started making pieces for family and friends and it took off from there.
Where else can someone find or buy your jewelry?
You can find my jewelry on Instagram @celestial.beadings and Facebook under the name Celestial Beadings. I also have a brick-and-mortar shop in Indianapolis called Celestial Arts and Antiques where I also sell my jewelry pieces.
What can others do to support black jewelry designers or makers in the Indy community?
You can support black jewelry designers in the Indy community by using your social media platform to like and share their posts. If you’re wearing one of their pieces, remember their names in case people ask. Tag them and shout them out if you post a photo of you wearing one of their pieces. Send them opportunities you see for them to display and sell their work.
Demetrees Hutchins
Why are you participating in this event?
This event provides a unique opportunity to showcase my handcrafted jewelry designs to a wider audience and to bring a little color to Zionsville’s Main Street district.
What is most unique about your creations?
What’s most unique is each piece is made by hand even down to the clasps, jump rings and ear wires making each design truly unique, one-of-a-kind and 100% handcrafted. I also use authentic crystals and gemstones or even a rare stone, crystal or gemstone a customer cherishes. This means your jewelry can be customized to your liking when commissioning a design. Each piece I create also has positive energy poured into it so it truly radiates the natural energy found in each stone. Your spirit will instantly be uplifted as soon as you put one of my pieces on!
Where else can someone find or buy your jewelry?
You can find me on my Facebook pages at Deo’s Garden LLC and #GetStoned by Demetrees Lee, on Instagram @deosgardenllc, and my personal Facebook page Demetrees Hutchins. I vend in person every 1st Friday at the Murphys Art Center in Fountain Square and will soon be in the Fountain Square Market store. I am also a part of Indiana Grown and will soon have items for sale on their website.
You participated in the pop-up at Robert Goodman Jewelers last November. Why did you choose to participate again this month?
It was such a great vibe last year. Robert opened his doors to us and even invited some of his friends to shop. The residents who visited were welcoming and very excited. It was a great opportunity to get my higher-end unique jewelry designs in front of customers who are used to purchasing fine jewelry. It will be even better this time around!
Demetrees Hutchins
Why are you participating in this event?
I had a wonderful time setting up at Robert Goodman Jeweler’s first Black Maker’s Pop-up last November and was excited to be invited back.
Tell us about the type and style of jewelry you create.
I make various styles of jewelry, all incorporating gemstones and upcycled charms and elements in some way.
Under the ALTLIAE brand, I create one-of-a-kind wearable art pieces that are hand-tooled, Southwestern-inspired as well as contemporary wearable art pieces that incorporate 3-D printing processes.
Under Indie Art Pharmacy, I create limited-run collections of jewelry, accessories, and decor that incorporates vintage sourced from my parents’ vintage shop and other upcycled and recycled elements.
The gemstone jewelry I’ll have available for purchase on Sunday is the result of combining vintage mini-test tubes with upcycled and found charms, chains, findings, and beads.
What is most unique about your creations?
I am very intentional in the way the gemstones and elements are combined, and each piece is a unique creation.
Where can someone find or buy your jewelry?
The best way to find my jewelry is to visit www.altliae.com and www.indieartpharmacy.com where you can sign up for collection release information and find links so you can follow on social media.
**Photo credit: Jes Nijjer Photography (Facebook) @JesKeepSwimming (Instagram)
