Where are you from?: New Jersey
Where do you live now?: Bushwick
What do you do for work?: I make jewelry, and work part time at a cocktail bar (to help fund said jewelry, hah)
What do you do for fulfillment?: I make things! Mostly jewels. It's a passion thats slowly turning into a profession. I find working with my hands and exploring creative concepts to be so rewarding.
What is your dream creative project?: This is a tough one! I'm still learning so much about my craft, as I hone different skills my ambitions of implementing them evolve. I've been wanting to get into larger scale work: furniture, housewares, objects, etc. I'd say that at this moment my dream project is creating a body of work people can connect to that isn't designed to be worn on the body
Do you consider yourself a freshman, sophomore or senior in your field?: I feel like a sophomore in the aspect of personal growth in my field, but in the bigger scheme of things I'm a Freshman. I just started selling my work on a wider platform than before, but it's still small and I have so much to learn.
What can’t you leave the house without?: My colorful personality and zest for life.
What's a typical day in the life for you?: Rise, pump some iron or hot vinyasa (on my best days), coffee and a little admin work, studio, jewelry district errands, more studio- with a glass of wine/pal/game of pool peppered in here and there.
Where's your favourite place to eat in Brooklyn?: Russ and Daughters Cafe for daytime eats - St. Anselm for dinner eats - and Bunna Cafe for bomb vegan Ethiopian pretty much anytime.
Where's your favourite place to dance?: My bedroom, or my studio when no one else is there. My guilty pleasure jams and dad moves all day.
Where's your favourite place to drink?: In a cozy casa with pals.
Where's your favourite place to shop?: Beacons Closet! I love a good thrift, Beacons is a great spot to get the shopping fix while keeping the odds against you in a way. I get the satisfaction of seeing and feeling fun clothes but end up only walking out with a few crushworthy pieces. I appreciate these finds more than when I pick something up from a rack that has 20 more of the same.
What are your go-to tunes for getting ready to leave the house in the morning?: A few of my favorite jams at the moment include: Micky Shiloh- Funny When, Charlotte Dos Santos - Move On, Brent Faiyaz - Gang Over Luv, Oops - Vince Staples. Psychedelic Cumbias always start my day off right - Roots of Chica 1 & 2 are both staples of mine.
What are your go-to tunes for exercising?: For cardio exercise - I like music that in any other context would raise my heart rate in a stressful way. For weight training - I like a slower harder beat so I feel like a beast, haha.
What are your go-to tunes for going out for a night on the town?: Dream - Yamaha, Charley Black/ Daddy Yankee - Gyal you a party animal remix, Nas- Oochie Wally Remix (it never gets old), Chief Keef - Diamonds, M.O.P - Ante up - HYPE MUSIC!
What was your new years resolution?: To avoid constructing such definitive guidelines in which to live, not overthink, tune in with myself.
What do you think are the qualities of a life well lived?: Honesty and the ability to communicate with those around you, its a sound foundation to build whatever life that best serves you. For me- creative and intellectual stimulation and the company of those whom facilitate that.
Kindly recommend 3 people that inspire you that we can continue the conversation with:
Tamara Santibanez - Artist (Multimedia)
Miyako Bellizzi - Stylist/Photographer
Zenat Begum - Entrepreneur