Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bella Kalkbrenner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bella, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

My idea for River and Rosemary began in 2022. In September that year, I found a best friend and companion in my new puppy River. She immediately became by sunshine and support. At the beach with River, I started collecting shells on our walks. As I collected more and more shells, I was bothered by the fact that none of them were ever whole or “perfect.” However, as I looked at each piece more closely, I realized that each one was so beautifully colored and uniquely shaped – every piece was naturally one of a kind. Having struggled with anxiety and perfectionism rooted in a lack of self-love, this idea of being imperfectly beautiful inspired me personally. I began making jewelry from these beautiful shells and sea glass pieces. Each piece represents something much more profound than mere jewelry. They reflect natural beauty in the uniqueness and individuality of ourselves and the world around us.

Bella, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Bella Kalkbrenner. I am 17 years old. My business, River and Rosemary, has blossomed from my journey in self-love and my passion for environmental health. I believe that on Earth, everything is connected; there is a direct relationship between mental, physical, and environmental health.

Whether it is searching for shells on the beach or hiking in the mountains, you will always find me outside. I am a huge advocate for sustainability and doing what I can to best support the environment. This has been a significant driving force within my business.

River and Rosemary, and I have grown together. I would not be where I am today without the struggles and growth throughout my journey. My business has come to represent many things to me. I now realize more than ever that perfection is overrated and diversity is natural.

My goal with River and Rosemary is to create natural and sustainable jewelry that embodies diversity and imperfection. Each piece of jewelry I hand-make is one-of-a-kind. Rather than using uniform charms and unsustainably sourced precious metals and gems, I use only traceable materials such as organic hemp cord, fair-mined or fair-trade gold wire, handmade and recycled glass beads, and, of course, sea glass and seashells. This results in non-toxic and sustainable products that support both the individual and the environment.

River and Rosemary is named after my dog River who has brought me more joy than I could have imagined. Rosemary because it thrives near the sea; “Rosmarinus” means “dew of the sea.” Rosemary also represents loyalty and friendship, an important message of how we should treat ourselves and our planet. There is great importance in self-love and an environmental connection.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

For the last few years, I have lived in the constant confusion, shame, and loneliness of not loving myself. I would see the “perfect” bodies and lives of others on social media and around me and feel worse about who I was. I quickly concluded that I was not good enough because I was not perfect. These feelings became harmful habits as I chased so-called health and “perfection.” I thought these superficial attributes would make me happy, but they did not.

To recover was to unlearn the ideas that brought me down and redefine health and well-being. I am so grateful for how far I have come from those dark moments. I now see that true happiness lies in genuinely loving yourself unconditionally. I have learned that there is so much more to life than chasing the ever-changing idea of perfection. I want every person to feel empowered by the fact that they are enough now. The images of “perfect” people are just snapshots of bigger, more complicated pictures. Nobody is perfect, and that is how it is meant to be.

Have you ever had to pivot?

The most pivotal moment in my life has been redefining my idea of health and true happiness. I used to believe that fulfillment could only be found in looking a certain way. I now realize that life is so much more than just appearance; it is about nourishing our complete well-being and connecting to and supporting the world around us.

The superficial things that never fulfilled me have been replaced by authentic, happy moments. I can now laugh with my family again, snuggle with my dog, and experience all of life’s beauty without the constant impairment of self-loathing. My goal for my jewelry is to demonstrate that everything and everyone is naturally unique. I use broken shells that I find – they are not ugly because they are imperfect; they are even more special because they are one of a kind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://riverrosemary.com/
• Instagram: @river.and.rosemary
• Linkedin: Bella Kalkbrenner