We were lucky to catch up with Isabel Thompson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Isabel, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I am originally a musician with lots of degrees and performing experience! I never thought of myself as crafty, or talented for visual arts. During the pandemic, I was working a corporate job from home, and I missed feeling artistic. Performing arts was not happening, and I needed a creative outlet.
After watching a few online video tutorials, I collected a few stones from my backyard, found some old wire, and started teaching myself how to wire-wrap. I decided to do a 100-day challenge where I would make a new pendant every day, no matter the outcome. Social media became my sharing point, and many of my friends engaged in my new craft and started buying my products.
If I could go back, the only thing I would change would be taking more time to finish a piece even if the 100-day challenge took longer.
The most essential skill I practiced, and continue practicing, is being more patient and having faith in the process.
Learning more would have been easier if I had access to more tools early on. Luckily, I have been able to find the necessary tools for my new craft.
Eventually, I signed up for metalsmithing classes, and now I finally feel like I know what I am doing!

Isabel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am originally a musician from Costa Rica. Thanks to a music scholarship, I moved to Louisiana in 2003 . After graduating college, I moved to Florida to attend grad school, and I freelanced as a classical clarinetist for 11 years. By the time I finished all my degrees, I also became a mom and got a little burned out from music freelancing. I decided to switch gears and had a couple of teaching jobs. Later, I moved on to corporate jobs either related to music or to Spanish translation.
During Covid-19, I needed a new creative outlet and decided to teach myself how to wire-wrap semi-precious stones and crystals. I fell in love with the feeling of metal in my fingers! It may sound strange, but something about handling “Earthly elements” with my bare hands makes me feel connected to nature even if I’m just sitting at my desk.
I have tried a few different markets: social media, Etsy, Shopify, to name a few. I am close to signing up for my first vendor event for the upcoming Holiday Season, and I am super excited about it!
During this creative process, I have discovered the power of consistency and perseverance. I have also discovered that it is more than OK to take breaks. After a creative break, I usually come back with more energy and new ideas. One of the negatives I’ve discovered is that I do not enjoy production work. Each creation I make is unique, and will not be reproduced. I also do not feel ready for custom work and commissions yet. But I know I will get there!
My brand is called Bel Charms. ‘Bel’ comes from my first name ‘Isabel’, and ‘charms’ came from the idea of creating different things, and leaving the brand name open to more than pendants, or rings. I have also been making decorative wire trees, and I love the process! Pictures of my work can be found on Instagram @bel_charms

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

It is often difficult to see my work and compare it to mass-produced items. It is not a secret that handmade products will always cost more, and many of us struggle financially. However, I believe in the positive energy that a handmade item represents. When we spend $10 more on a gift because it was made by hand, we are supporting families, communities, and the arts. It is my mission to uplift the value of artistic work by continuing to not only create but also share the creative process of finishing a piece.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I believe artistic work is all around us. Attending concerts, and visiting museums is wonderful, but these are not the only places where we find art. Next time you take a walk, look around you. Look at the architecture of houses and buildings. Look at the structures and metalwork in the park. Check out murals, and painted objects throughout the city. Listen to the music recordings playing at your favorite coffee shop. Imagine a world without art. I think if society realizes how much we take art for granted, it will begin to notice that we all live within the arts, and it will be much easier to normalize valuing artistic work, and better supporting it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bel_charms
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bel.Charms.Pendants
• Other: https://belcharms.square.site/