We recently connected with Sandra Davis and have shared our conversation below.

Sandra , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful is definitely creating mahjong jewelry. I had never been familiar with mahjong, didn’t know it was a real game or anything. I stumbled upon beads that I thought was cool and started making earrings. The demand was overwhelming. As I researched I realized that there were tons of people interested in the game and almost anything relevant to that theme. Over a course of 20 years I sold to an explosion of customers all over the world who wanted mahjong jewelry. I think the last count was 14 countries including the U.S. and Canada. We shipped to 14 locations in Australia alone. The best part is that I made so many great friends along the way ~ many of them who want to teach me the game. As an African American woman who is not part of the mahjong demographic and who does not know the game, to me is extraordinary and quite humbling.

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?

Sandra Davis and Gehazi’s eclectic jewelry collection began to garner attention nationally in 2005 when the Detroit-based company’s designs were often chosen for celebrity VIP gift bags for award events in Los Angeles and New York. Since, Gehazi has received inquiries from around the country about the latest designs. Several Gehazi creations were highlighted in the January 2006 issue of Ebony magazine. Two bracelets debuted on the Martha Stewart Show, and
other pieces have been featured in Woman’s World,
Celebrity Living Weekly, the National Examiner and
other publications including BLAC magazine in Detroit.
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Gehazi jewelry also has garnered appeal on fashion runways and been sold in boutiques throughout the country.

Our designs continuously garner attention internationally with customers in 14 countries including Canada, Australia, Austria, Italy, France, Japan, the United Kingdom and more. Gehazi jewelry is all conceptualized and handcrafted beginning with the finest foundation materials. We use professional beading wires, genuine precious and semi-precious gemstones and assorted fine metals that guarantee durability and reduce the chances of allergic reactions. We use sterling silver, gold, pewter and copper. We also use eclectic mixes of other materials to add more texture, shape and fun to our pieces, giving them that distinctive Gehazi appeal.

You will find our items nuanced with Swarovski crystals as well as other brilliant crystals and glass beads sourced from around the world. Also, many of our fine metal clasps and pendants are crafted by talented silversmiths in the U.S. and beyond.

DESIGN
Our designer makes sure every piece shipped from our studio in Detroit is inspected and packaged for its new owner. Many of these designs are one-of-a-kind or created as part of a limited series.

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

It’s Important to understand that it is about what a great artist you are. You have to also be a good business person who offers great customer service and makes customer feel they are getting more from you that they have paid for.

And it is important to share yourself personally and not just as a brand. People what to know who you really are. They want to feel that they have a piece of the back story of your talent and personality.

And it is important to understand that the business end is even more important than the creative end because if the business end collapses, the artistry won’t matter and chances are you won’t be able to convince customers that you are worth the price you are asking for. It is all related.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn what I thought my audience wanted. I was going nuts trying to design stuff I thought customers wanted, but I realized that is not what they wanted. They wanted me to just design what came from my heart and my imagination, that is what has been my success. Customers want me to be my full eclectic self with color and texture combinations they don’t see in their world.

Contact Info:

• Website: ShopGehazi.com
• Instagram: @gehazi
• Facebook: Gehazi Collections
• Twitter: @gehazi

Image Credits
Gehazi Collections