We recently connected with Julia Popescu and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Julia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

In the very early days of designing my manifestation candles, I was working on a candle for personal use. I grew up in the 80s and had been a long-time fan of a certain pop star (who shall remain nameless!), not only for her music but as a pop culture figure and embodiment of so many interesting archetypes to me…creator/artist, explorer, lover, the list goes on. I work so much with archetypes and symbols in my artwork and so I take an interest in how people embody different mythologies, etc, so this is a way that I view the world and its people. In any case, I got a sort of in intuitive download one day that I had to make a candle with the Material Girl’s’ image on it, and that she had to have it, and that she would help push Snakes for Hair more out in the world. Not for my own purposes but Snakes for Hair is a project of light and love and I wanted her to be sort of a messenger. So I created the artwork and candle, and I lit it, praying for the success of its mission. About a year later, a colleague and friend went onto another job that was to work for the singer. She called one day, explaining that it was her boss’ birthday party, and that they needed candles displaying her image to be placed on tabletops of the private party, and could they commission me. I just so happened to have the artwork ready-to-go, so within a week, it all miraculously came together (typically, one work of art in those days took months for me). My friend sent me photos of my creation displayed on tabletops, and reported that the singer also had one in her home. I was filled with such immense gratitude and awe of the universe, that I had such a specific prayer answered.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a multi-media artist/designer/small business owner under the brand Snake for Hair. My art is based on astrology, symbols, the tarot, and mystical traditions the world over. Snakes for Hair is known mostly for its highly decorative altar candles, but has since gown into other categories of products and mediums. I’m working on new projects like building out sacred spaces/environments, creating more large-scale work for galleries, and incorporating a bit of moving image. My story began when around 2017, when I discovered my own special hobby of applying my handout collage art and illustration to prayer/manifestation candles. I was in fashion at the time, and going through a personally difficult time, and this was something I was doing as art therapy. I’m a spiritual person and artistic so it was my way of blending the two together.

Friends began asking me for the candles, then friends of friends, and soon shops, when I realized I had to build a e-commerce site. This shop sort of grew overnight when Covid hit (everyone was at home, decorating and needing the comfort of a flame) and I’ve been doing this full time since. I have branched off into animation, graphic design (I’ve done book and record covers), and I recently published a tarot deck with Penguin Random House called the Goddess of Love Tarot, with Gabriela Herstik. I’ve done custom designs for Madonna (ok, cats out of the bag, ha), astrologer Annabel Gat, fashion brand Melissa, to name others.

I think what sets me apart is that my candles are like no others! They are not only a work of art but instrument of magic. I think something else unique about what I put out is that it’s my mission to empower you to create for yourself. I am not a teacher or influencer, but a provider of tools you use in your own growth and process of self-creation/transformation. I work so hard, and care so deeply to empower and inspire others, and I think this shows in the work. I really believe in people!

What I’m most proud of is that I have made up everything as I go along, starting from nothing but simply my artistic talent. I had no business skills or understanding of what it meant to earn money from making art, run a business, grow a brand, market myself. I still have so much to learn but you can’t worry about what you don’t know, you figure it out as you go along!

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

I’ve met my personal goal-to be a working artist, waking up each day, living my dream to make art and share it with the world. I think anyone can live their dream if they have access to the right tools and circumstances. It’s my mission to inspire people to create and live their most authentic life. And if I see that a group is marginalized, denied access to this opportunity to even dream, it’s also my mission to raise this group up with my art, voice, and donations, and bring attention to their cause. I recognize that one ingredient to my success is also privilege, therefore it’s my duty to support those without it in any way I can. I suppose it’s a way of giving back.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Many creatives are not naturally inclined towards business! I would have loved a resource on how to navigate the world of selling your craft, turning your art into a business. What do collaborations look like? How do you market yourself? Which is better-LLC or S-Corp? Set XYZ aside for quarterly taxes. Don’t undervalue your work. The list goes on!

Contact Info:

• Website: snakesforhair.com
• Instagram: @snakes4hair | https://www.instagram.com/snakes4hair/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-popescu-a28b70a/