We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alice Trahant Phillips a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Alice thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned my craft through a mix of instinct, hands-on experience, and years of immersion in the creative world. Growing up surrounded by art, design, and culture in New Orleans gave me a natural foundation in aesthetics and storytelling. Professionally, managing one of the largest artists’ markets in the Southeast refined my curatorial eye and taught me the business side of the art world—how to connect artists with audiences and help clients find pieces that resonate. At the same time, my jewelry journey grew from personal experimentation and a deep love of materials into a full-fledged design practice. Today, those paths merge: my background as both an artist and designer allows me to approach art consulting with an intuitive sense of color, balance, and emotion, helping clients curate spaces that feel as personal and expressive as the jewelry I create.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Alice Trahant Phillips—an artist, jewelry designer, and art consultant with roots in New Orleans and a current base in Atlanta. My background is steeped in creativity; I grew up surrounded by art, music, and culture, and that early exposure shaped how I see the world and approach design. Over the years, what began as a personal love for creating evolved into a multifaceted career where I now help others connect with art in meaningful ways.

My work is split between two creative avenues: jewelry design and art consulting. Through my jewelry line, I create colorful, lightweight pieces that are meant to be worn daily—art that moves with you. Each design is crafted to feel personal, playful, and expressive, merging style with sentiment. As an art consultant, I help clients find artwork that feels like THEM—pieces that elevate a space, reflect personality, and carry emotional resonance. I handle everything from sourcing and placement to framing, installation, and styling, ensuring the process is seamless from start to finish.

My goal is to make art approachable—to show that it’s not just for collectors or designers, but for anyone who wants their space to tell a story. I’m most proud when a client says that a piece I helped them find feels like it’s always belonged in their home, or when someone wears one of my jewelry designs and says it makes them feel more like themselves. Even better is when that connection pushes them a little further—when a bold artwork or unexpected piece of jewelry unlocks something they didn’t think they could pull off, yet now can’t imagine living without.

At the heart of everything I do—whether it’s art, jewelry, or consulting—is the belief that creativity should bring joy, spark connection, and remind us to live intentionally surrounded by beauty and meaning.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think one thing non-creatives sometimes struggle to understand is that creativity isn’t something you can simply turn on and off—it’s a constant process of observation, inspiration, and sometimes even frustration. There are seasons when ideas flow effortlessly and others when nothing seems to connect, and that ebb and flow can be hard for someone used to linear progress to relate to. What many don’t see is that the “quiet” times—when you’re sketching, rearranging, experimenting, or even just thinking—are actually where the work happens.

For me, creativity isn’t just about making something beautiful; it’s about problem-solving, storytelling, and translating emotion into form. Whether I’m helping a client find the right piece of art for their home or designing jewelry that feels like an extension of their personality, there’s an emotional intelligence involved that can’t be rushed or replicated by a formula. It’s deeply personal, and that’s what makes it both challenging and rewarding.

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

At the core of my creative journey is a desire to connect people with art and beauty in ways that feel personal, joyful, and attainable. I believe creativity has the power to change how we see ourselves and the spaces we live in. Whether I’m designing jewelry or consulting on art for a client’s home, my goal is to help others experience that spark—when something visual suddenly resonates and transforms the way they feel in a space or about themselves.

My mission is rooted in intention and authenticity: to make art approachable, to celebrate individuality, and to remind people that creativity isn’t reserved for the few—it’s something we all have access to. I want my work to inspire confidence, curiosity, and connection. If someone walks away from working with me feeling more seen, more expressive, or more open to beauty in their everyday life, then I’ve accomplished exactly what I set out to do!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alicetrahantphillips.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicetrahantphillips.art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563943709895

Image Credits

KVC Photography