We were lucky to catch up with Alexa Messenbrink recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alexa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I am thrilled to be an artist. To share my creative visions with the world is something that feels very personal and romantic in a way. The way I see everyday objects and places is very different than others. Having the ability to express that vision with others, especially through my jewelry, gives me a sense of purpose. If I can inspire or motivate even just one person through my art, then I feel like I’ve really done my job as an artist.
Do I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a regular job? Absolutely not. I’ve lived the 9-5’s, I’ve done the late-night bartending, the serving, even worked in state healthcare positions, I don’t miss it and never want to go back. As an artist, I am able to make my own hours, which ultimately allows me to spend time with my family and my children when they need me the most, and work when they are busy with their own things like school, sports, etc. On the flip side, it is not easy being the “jack of all trades” as a solo artist and jeweler. There are some weeks I’m putting in nearly 100 hours in a week without compensation; I have to be disciplined enough to set my works hours and follow through on those hours; and the biggest hurdle is having enough capital. I pour nearly every dollar I get back into my business. I have struggled over the years with consistency and staying positive about what I do and the services I provide. Even with all this, I still love what I do and I’ll never go back to the “regular job” life.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started making jewelry 15 years ago and really just had an interest in creating wearable art. I started with simple beading, macrame bracelets, moved to Mala’s and more intricate bead embroidery. By the fall of 2018, I started diving deeper into the world of metal smithing and wire wrapping. I had always loved the way wire wrapping has these sinuous, organic lines that resemble nature, and it reminds me of the Art Nouveau movement that was popular in the early 20th century. Having a love for nature and an obsession with crystals, minerals, and natural healing processes, I couldn’t help but be drawn to wire wrapping. Without ever picking up wire to wrap a stone in, I went to work. I failed. I failed miserably. The wire was kinky, it was hard to hold, and there was no way I was wrapping it around rocks in a way that made sense and was pleasing to the eye. But it was in that moment, that one moment of feeling totally defeated, that I absolutely LOVED it.
I couldn’t stop after that. I pulled out my very large crystal collection, I researched everything I would need on the internet; went to my local bead shop to get materials; bought every online tutorial I could get my hands on; stayed up late-night watching basic YouTube videos; joined ALL the wire wrapping Facebook groups, followed other artists in the industry, and wrapped for what felt like every minute of every day. I wrapped until my fingers were sore, swollen, and bleeding, until they were callused and strong enough to work with the wire. I then found out where the art of wire wrapping came from (Ancient Egypt in case you didn’t know), and that made me love this art form even more as I am a massive art history buff.
When I sit down at my bench and I put the wire in my hands, I feel my whole body fall into peace and I get lost in creating. There is nothing in this world that has ever made me feel this way. It is pure bliss. And I don’t stop. Before I know it, hours have gone by and I can feel my hands getting sore but I don’t want to stop. When I am wrapping, I can see the next design element I am going to add and I can feel the energy of the materials I’m working with. When I am not wrapping, it’s all I am thinking about. My earlier pieces were beautiful in their own right, but they were lacking form and sensibility. It’s because of this that I started seeking out master level, paid, online classes taught by known jewelry artists in the wire wrapping community. This was my level up. This is when I started to understand form, structure, framework, high-quality stone setting, (cold-fusion), design, and flow. This is when I started breaking into the higher-end market and customers who knew and appreciated high-quality wire wraps.
My process is quite simple: I see design ideas in everything I look at in the world around me and it inspires me to create the pieces that you see today. Often I am caught daydreaming, or sketching out a design I cannot get off my mind, or taking pictures of things and shapes I see while out and about. I have been caught a time or two making air drawings with my finger while watching a movie because something I saw on the screen would look fabulous as a pendant design. It honestly never ends. I’d rather be sitting at my bench wrapping than doing anything else. I love what I do.
There are many reasons why my pieces are special. For starters, you can see and feel the love I put into each piece. I use high-quality materials, which will give you a longer lasting piece, one that can be passed down to loved ones for generations to come. Another unique aspect about my work and my business, is that I do not make production pieces. I will never replicated a pendant, bracelet, or ring. I have often had folks come to me asking me to replicated a piece that was sold and my answer is always this: “I can make you something with similar design features, but that piece was made for and chosen by that person, which is special to them and them only”. In a world where mass-production is king, why not stand out from the crowd? My pieces speak to their owners, and they are unique and one-of-a-kind, just like we are. You are sure to bet that you will always be able to walk into a crowded room wearing one of my pieces and you will be the only person there with that design, which is an instant conversation starter and head turner. This is what really sets me apart from other wire wrappers and Amazon/Target/mass-produced businesses have to offer. When you get a piece from me, you’re getting something that speaks to your soul, not the souls of thousands. You will genuinely receive a piece of wearable art that is as unique as you are.
Currently, I am finishing my degree at Colorado State University in Fine Art with an emphasis in graphic design and metal smithing and will graduate with an additional certificate in art history. As this year begins to come to an end, I will be gearing up to display my work with local art collectives and vend at various art shows around Colorado well into next year.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
The best way to support artists is to buy their art! Following the artist on social media, showing up to events, sharing posts from the artists, telling others about your artist friend or a favorite local artist, are all things you can do to support artists without breaking the bank. But when you come across something that really speaks to you, really gets you excited, something that you say to yourself “omg, that’s so me” when you see it, don’t hesitate, BUY IT! Especially if the artist is a friend.
I can’t tell you the warm fuzzy feeling I get every time someone buys my jewelry. Whether it’s online or in-person, I love to see them light up and get excited about something that I created. It’s flattering in the best kind of way. I get even more excited when my friends approach me to make something for them or someone they love. Knowing your friends are rockin’ your art is the best overall feeling and I can’t get enough of it.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My biggest goal that drives me is providing jewelry, that I put my passion into making, gets in the hands of wearers who love and appreciated unique art pieces. My ideal customer is the one who is intrigued by being different; one who wants to show off their unique-ness and individuality and isn’t afraid to be who they are. My pieces speak to the soul and I want to inspire you to feel beautiful, powerful, and 100%, unapologetically YOU.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.freedomflowdesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedom_flow_designs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedomflowdesigns