The January mood has been lackluster in Lumenrose Land. I’m slowly starting to create again. A trip to see family and the current Tucson Gem Show are great excuses to keep me out of the studio. I did announce I’d be taking January slow on the production front, but there’s a heaviness I can’t escape that’s keeping me from the bench. It’s not usually like this. Most of the time I want to get to the studio at any spare moment.
My creativity feels dampened by my concern and anger over the Israel-Hamas war. I don’t need to keep seeing the horrific images to feel firmly that what is happening there is wrong. I don't want to keep hearing from doctors in Gaza about the abysmal conditions. I don't want to keep seeing that Israeli citizens are blocking aid trucks daily onto Gaza. But I will not turn away and bury myself in my safe, quiet life.
I know you’re here for jewelry, or that's how you first came here. I’m not “supposed" to mix personal politics with business content. However, I AM Lumenrose Jewelry, and as a human who feels and cares deeply I will not be silenced by a fear of offending. I’ve stewed in worry around being seen as polarizing or crazy for talking about Palestine on my Instagram platform. My discomfort is a privilege and a pathetic excuse to avoid speaking up. So here is a tiny attempt to reach out to you and perhaps we will not feel so alone or oppositional in this moment. No matter your beliefs, I hope we can meet each other on common ground even just for a moment, as we hurt for the tragedy on both sides of this conflict.
Yet, life goes on. We go to the grocery store, we forget the news for a day, visit friends, focus on work. Most of us do not live remotely near the middle east and might ask What good does it do to get so worked up about a conflict so far away? I hear you. This time it feels just a bit more personal. Two things in particular play a small part in why I am more drawn to what's happening: my Jewish heritage-- my great grandfather was in a concentration camp (he survived) and I would not exist if my grandparents' families had not had the foresight and means to take their children (my grandparents) out of Germany; and my sister and a few very distant relatives live in Israel.
If I had even less connection to the region, I would still feel it is always right to center the humanity of all people, especially those who've been historically oppressed. I break seeing the inhumane situation in Gaza. October 7 was horrific beyond my imagination. The children, my god, the children... The destruction, death and killing must stop. I wish for the hostages to come home, although this possibility seems evermore distant as Israel holds to its unrealistic aim of destroying Hamas at all costs. There must be a way forward that involves coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. (There is work toward this by Standing Together that involves people-to-people connections across borders and religion)
But now I will share the words of others, because they are much more precise and eloquent than mine at the moment. And because I've been turning to others to learn, grasp, understand, relate and feel as I try to keep an open mind and heart.
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If you read nothing else I've linked (I know there are a lot of links), this article from the perspective of a Jewish American writer and organizer sums up how it is that we can hold many truths simultaneously in this intensely polarizing conflict.
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Here is something Neema Githere Siphone wrote on an Instagram post that hit me hard:
"I feel like a lot of us are either internalizing or projecting shame around the fact that we are having to continue to live and work amidst one of the most violent and enduring live-streamed catastrophes any of us have lived through. It’s not a good feeling. And also, shame is counterproductive. In every way, for all people. We will never actually transform ourselves or the world in the ways that we need to by using shame as a compass."
I often feel guilt for indulging in my life's relative ease while I know what is unfolding in Gaza and at the US Mexico border 20 miles from my home. There are atrocities occurring at any given time on the planet, but the current moment feels heightened in a way I have not personally experience before.
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This poem by the wise adrienne maree brown brought me to tears. Here's an excerpt. Please take 2 more minutes to read the whole thing.
"Let go of the systems hold on to the people". Increasingly I feel that the people and systems of power that govern us do not serve us. This is a huge topic for another midnight writing session, but it weaves its way into my understanding of this Israel-Hamas conflict. It feels fruitless to try to reach out to the system of political leaders here in the US. I leave voice messages for my senators every week, and will continue to do so, but how do I know if they hear them, if they care?
I do not feel anger towards Israeli Jews as individuals, but towards their government (the people in power making the decisions), a system entrenched in a militarized, colonizer history. "hold on to the people"....I want to hold on to Jewish people everywhere who are living in a time of darkness and trauma. I can see where their fear comes from when faced with the real violence of Hamas who is hellbent on wiping out Israel and the concurrent rise of antisemitism worldwide. Somehow in this whirlwind of headlines and death tolls, Hamas is mentioned but remains like a shrouded, almost imaginary bad guy, when it was they who lit the match this time. I don't know how we hold them accountable or demand a ceasefire of them. It is infuriating. In western media so much focus is on Israel and the Palestinian people's suffering, but how do we pressure Hamas?
....Deep breath....sigh.....Stay open to learning, talk with your people, don't look away, donate if you can, love the hell out of your life, treat others with kindness.
The photo on the thumbnail of this blog is by Motaz Azaiza, a young Palestinian photojournalist who's made a huge impact on bringing the images of the war in Gaza to western eyes.
These are a few of the things I've been reading and listening to since Oct 7 to try to understand the history of and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
~Books: Son of Hamas, I Saw Ramallah, Palestine: Peace not Apartheid, On Palestine, Minor Detail, Salt Houses.
~Podcasts: The Ezra Klein Show, This episode of Throughline, This episode of This American Life, Times of Israel Daily Podcast, this interview with an Israeli trans woman.
~News: The Intercept, NPR, Times of Israel, Democracy Now
~If you want to read a radical, mind-opening (was for me) Israeli perspective see @yehavit on IG.
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I'm passionate about supporting small businesses. Since I run my own small business I know what goes into making it all happen and how much work it takes. I basically wish I could spend all my money, like ALL my money, with fellow artists and makers. While I can't exactly do that, I hope spreading awareness of some of these badass small businesses will lead to them having at least a few new customers. Read on and please, please, please tap those links to familiarize yourself with these folks and follow their work if it speaks to you!
Also, you can comment in the box at the very bottom of the page with other businesses you would like to give a shout out to! I'd love to know who you love!
For the Home
FLOWING WATERS SOAP CO Luxurious soaps made sustainably with traditional plant knowledge. Indigenous Yoeme owned and operated. I personally attest to the Oro Indigena scent being the best bar of handmade soap I've ever purchased :).
MEI MEI MOON Gorgeous silk pillowcases and accessories designed and made to help you have the sweetest dreams. Oeko Tex Standard 100 certified to be free of any harmful substances.
AVI FARBER CERAMICS Hands down one of my favorite ceramic artists. Avi wood-fires much of his work for a totally organic, exceptionally crafted outcome.
CARLY QUINN TILE DESIGNS Hand-painted tiles with the most dreamy, rich colors. Individual tiles are each a piece of art that can be used as coasters, or combined to make a custom mural or address number set.
Stationary & Prints
CACTI OASIS Beautiful, botanical, desert-inspired watercolor cards, stickers, puzzles, calendars and more. Adela's illustrations of the beloved and ephemeral cactus flowers are top-notch. Check out her new subscription program for limited monthly designs, or purchase cards for your holiday or year-round letter-writing needs.
PAPILLON PRESS A father-daughter team who create elegant, colorful block printed and letterpress notebook, stationary and more. They use sustainable papers and inks and make monthly donations to causes they believe in.
NIEVES MONTANO Nieves is a talented photographer in Tucson who sells her softly- lit, sunset-hued images as cards, notebooks, prints and much more.
Handmade Clothing
ZOE LOOMIS HANDMADE Handmade, upcycled linen clothing with patchwork and fun color combos.
EAST AND MARKET Accessories and bags made with remnant, upcycled and repurposed fabrics. Renee is committed to as little waste as possible in the design and making of her items. She also weaves dishtowels and scarves!
UNA PLUMA Organic cotton clothing designed by a small, woman-owned business based in Portland. The clothes are made in Kathmandu by craftspeople paid fair wages and working in environmentally safe environments
ELANA BLOOM STUDIO Elana Bloom is an artist in Tucson making truly wonderful creations. I am in love with her plant-dyed silks and appreciate her slow-fashion, environmentally conscious approach to small-batch textile work and art. Her fabric scrap collage portraits are true works of art.
NA WAHINE LOLE Small batch swim wear handmade by a mama in Hawaii for all sized bodies. Cory has lots of suits available for little kids too.
OF EARTH AND SALT A small California clothing company that sources their fabrics sustainably and makes super comfortable clothes! Think: the perfect leggings.
Jewelry
SARAH PARDEE JEWELRY Sarah’s work features cast designs as well as fabricated ones, simple everyday pieces as well as heirloom quality custom work, and really great craftswomanship. Find bronze, silver, gold and even the occasional diamond in her beautiful array of available jewels.
SOLID TREASURES Kendria's work is sleek, creative, and so cleanly made. She uses colorful gemstones and really showcases the silver to convey her expansive design sense. She is a multi-faceted graphic artist as well and she doesn't shy away from advocating for marginalized communities with her platform.
LITTLE TORO DESIGNS From delightfully colorful enamel work to simple silver pieces, Tawney’s jewelry is fun, artsy and elegant.
HEW JEWELRY Incredible embroidery mixed into metalwork! Nanette has such a unique way of mixing color, metal and shapes.
TAYLOR SALEEM JEWELRY As a silversmith I am enamored with Taylor's jewelry. The look and feel is just right- a little bit rustic, a whole lot of botanicals and the right amount of heart. Please do yourself a favor and follow her work.
LUNA + SAYA Statement earrings in eye-catching geometric shapes and colors made of polymer clay. They're lightweight, funky, sparkly and made by the loveliest human, Marina.
DIDIROSE JEWELRY For all your desires in full karat gold with precious gemstones, Benedicta has got you covered. She makes timeless designs from engagement and wedding jewelry to everyday more simple pieces.
Skincare
WITHIN SKIN Up your skincare game with lotions and oils made by a mama in Tucson who uses herb-infused, plant-powered ingredients in small batches. The blue tansy facial oil is heavenly.
LANSHIN If you’re familiar with or interested in learning more about skincare through the lens of Chinese medicine, founder Sandra has a vast assortment of videos on her Instagram and a huge selection of products and tools. If you’ve been curious about the “trend” (it's not just a beauty trend!) of Gua Sha, learn about this ancient Chinese practice directly from a Chinese practitioner.
PEAK SCENTS All natural and thoughtfully crafted products for face and body created by a clinical herbalist in Flagstaff, AZ
*These are all my own selections and were not in any way sponsored. I just like these artists, businesses and makers and hope you might too.
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This has been in the works for quite some months and I am excited to finally launch it to the world. Let me know what you think!
Speaking of the world...as this little business is very much intertwined and linked to me, Erika, as a person, I cannot go without saying some things about the events in the world right now. If this is not what you're here for, you are free to leave. These are my statements. I can't seem to form thoughts into much more than this. May we be able to hold humanity at the forefront.
It is heartbreaking and repulsive to fathom the loss and violation that happened in Israel on October 7th. I hope wholeheartedly that the hostages will return home and that their plight is not lost in the whirlwind of media coverage. I cannot even imagine how horrific this is for their loved ones.
A part of me can understand Israel's fierce military response to Hamas because of the terror Oct 7th caused. Any country would immediately employ force to protect its citizens from further harm. Another part of me wants to scream Why must violence always be met with more violence??
What if women were running the world? Just sayin'. Just imagining.
As a human and a mother it is excruciating to bear witness to the pain and suffering of the people and children of Gaza.
Ceasefire now. Over 10,000 Palestinians are dead. Call your representatives and the Whitehouse Call often. Write often. It's a numbers game. The more calls and emails, the more pressure builds and the more aware the elected officials are of what their constituents want.
We need more of this kind of work in the world: Here's an organization that joins Israelis and Palestinians who want peace and promotes conversations and action around equality and independence: Standing Together.
Here's an article that's the best thing I've read in a little while about the struggle I feel and that I'm sure many of you feel as well in regards to the strong hold social media has on us in times of upheaval, specifically in regards to what's happening in Gaza. Read writer Neema Githere Siphone's words here.
I have and will continue to donate to Lifting Hands International. LHI is based in Utah and supports refugees and displaced persons in various conflict-ridden areas, including Gaza right now. They are a smaller operation than many of the big name organizations out there and very transparent with how they work. I will also be donating to Anera, an organization bringing in aid to Gazans with a long history of working in Palestine.
Let's center each other's humanity above all else. Take it to the level of your neighborhood, your family, your community, your parenting. I fear becoming numb and I feel it happening to myself. We cannot look away- from Gaza and Israel, from gun violence, from police brutality, from so much...I deeply feel and understand we need to take breaks and care for ourselves. Stopping our lives or livelihoods doesn't do anyone any good. Yet we cannot be silent. Even if it's just conversation amongst our closest people, there's value in acknowledging what is going on and having dialogue about what can be done. I'm here for that. I'm trying not to shy away from that.
With love, tenderness and solidarity,
Erika
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This year I am going to work, yet again, on accepting the ebbs and flows of productivity at the jewelry bench and, better yet, that productivity is no measure by which to gauge the success of my days. Our world teaches us at every turn that the amount we work and produce is a proxy for how valuable we are. I just started listening to Do Nothing: How to Break Away From Overworking, Overdoing and Underliving by Celeste Headlee. I hope there are some good takeaways.
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For the last two or three years I have been saying I've been silversmithing for 10 years. (...catch that? :) A new year is a good time to set the record straight so I dug into my old emails to figure out when I actually took my first metalsmithing class. It was summer 2008. I took classes for a couple years and then I built my first website in 2010. I had my own tiny home workbench by then and vended at my first show that year. So, may the official record state that as of January 2023, I have been consistently making jewelry since 2010. 12 years of having my own workbench.
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I often look back on my early days of silversmithing. Unfortunately when my ancient laptop died last Spring I lost many of my photos, but I will share some of the earlier pieces that I still remember making. I remember the technical challenges they posed to me as a new jeweler and the triumph of completing them. They were critical milestones, and while it sounds cheesy to say, they were all part of how I got to where I am today. There's endless skills to learn and I am still a baby metalsmith, but the sense of confidence I gained from early projects was essential. As 2023 unfolds, I hope that reflection and acknowledging my evolution as an artist can be as much a part of what moves Lumenrose Jewelry forward as the new designs and skills I will learn in the future.
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Here are some past jewels from the early years, when both my silversmithing and photography skills were, shall we say, in training.