We were lucky to catch up with Julianna Valerio recently and have shared our conversation below.

Julianna , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve always made art of some kind, but it was in 2018 while I was working full time as a counselor that I realized I was happiest while making jewelry. It’s just a very therapeutic/meditative process for me. I would make jewelry after a stressful day at work and it just became my ultimate form of self care. It was then in 2018 that I decided to start selling my jewelry!

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 was born in Durango Colorado and I grew up in Eugene Oregon. These two places are very different, but have both influenced who I am greatly. I think you can really see the contrast of both places reflected in my jewelry. I mostly work with brass and silver but I also do fun little acrylic pieces as well. Everything I make is handmade and I do a lot of 1 of a kind pieces, which have always been my favorite.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

If your friends are doing something creative chances are they’re doing it because they love it. Show up for artists and makers any way you can. Support their social media, subscribe to their newsletter, go to their market. Buy from artist and makers directly, that’s a great way to keep money within your local community. You can find everything you need and want locally. When you support your friends who make art and small businesses locally then it makes your local artist community stronger and more diverse.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a jewelry maker has been the process from start to finish of making something. Having a design idea and then the process of actually making the idea come to life, which can, at times be challenging, but once you finish a piece you love and send it off into the world- Thats an awesome feeling!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lazulimoonjewelry.com
• Instagram: @lazulimoonjewelry