We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vanessa Barcus. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vanessa below.

Vanessa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I originally went to college for Economics, and later business school, thinking that I’d go into finance. I look back and laugh at how I didn’t know myself as well back then. I think I was trying to appease my father. Luckily I had a school administrator who recognized the creative in me, and encouraged me to take an internship in the fashion industry. I was hooked. I suppose I can’t say I wish I had started sooner, because in reality my entire career was in creative fields from that point on, from fashion to advertising to retail and jewelry design. Although it has taken me a long time to step into the design role, from being more on the business side of things. I finished my Economics and MBA degrees too, because I knew having that business background would still be helpful, and indeed it is. So I guess everything worked out the way it was supposed to.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’m the owner, designer and goldsmith behind Talisman Fine Jewelry, my collection of sustainable, sculptural heirloom jewelry. I came to this after owning a boutique in Denver called Goldyn, which existed for 11 years stocking sought-after designer apparel and accessories. That’s probably where most people know me from. We sold a lot of jewelry at the store, and after a while it naturally made sense to start our own line. That was when Talisman was born, although the collection has evolved a lot to be what it is now. When I closed the store, I took the time to learn the metalsmithing and casting processes, and things transformed. Everything is handmade, and a lot of intention and energy go into each piece… they are talismans in the true sense of the word. It’s also important to me to do things as sustainably as possible; I wouldn’t feel good about putting new things out into the world that created more waste or harm. There’s no room for that anymore. So I use recycled 14k gold, non-toxic processes whenever possible, reclaimed and ethically-sourced stones, and packaging that can be reused. What I’m most proud of though? Probably my resilience and ability to resurrect myself! After closing my store I had a lot of hardship – two debilitating accidents, a divorce – but I’m a strong female, and I persist!

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

Probably the most rewarding aspect of what I do is when I really connect to a customer on a personal level, and get to make a piece specifically for them (most of my jewelry is made-to-order, and I often do custom projects, which I enjoy). Jewelry really is such a personal thing, and usually holds a lot of meaning for the wearer. That’s what I love about this field. I think about that person as I’m making their piece, so that it really speaks to who they are as a person, and the meaning or intentionality they’re looking for. Seeing them wear and enjoy it when it’s all done is the absolute best. It’s a fun process.

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

Something I really appreciate about Colorado is the fact that most everyone in the creative community supports each other. That’s a rare thing… some cities are very competitive, which is unfortunate. I think that’s part of what helps the arts thrive here. When I’m going to do a pop-up or a fashion show or even an editorial shoot, I’m thinking, ‘Who else can I involve in this to help showcase their work too?’ We need to lift each other up. I believe there’s room for everyone.

Aside from that, artists need funding! They need patrons and supporters, so that they don’t have to be bussing tables every day, and can have enough time to actually BE creative. There’s a quote that I love: “Artists need time to sit around and do nothing.” Not sure who said it, but it’s true. If you want your city to be vibrant and full of new ideas, your creatives need leisure time for those ideas to be born. How do we get there? More public grants perhaps, more residency programs, and making connections between people in the business sector and the arts. Just existing and trying to make a living in the United States can be a challenge for a creative, so making that a little easier, perhaps, would be a start…

Contact Info:

• Website: https://talismanfinejewelry.co/
• Instagram: @talismanfinejewelry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talismanfinejewelry/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-barcus/

Image Credits
Headshot – Sara Ford Lookbook images – Andrew Vanasse