We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vanessa Barcus a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Vanessa 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?

I recently had the opportunity to create an anniversary gift for a longtime collector of mine. His wife has gone through some serious, unexpected health struggles over the last year, and came out the other side. So celebrating their life together had that much more meaning. I created a pair of stunning marquise cut diamond and recycled gold earrings that resembled an eye with a drop coming from them. They were an abstract homage to the Eye of Horus, who is the god of protection and healing for the pharaohs in Egyptian tradition. The drops coming from the eye were both because of the suffering my client’s wife had endured, as well as tears of joy at her recovery.

Vanessa, 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?

I’m an artist and entrepreneur whose primary medium is sculpting gold. In layman’s terms, I’m a fine jeweler, but my handmade creations blur the lines between wearable sculpture, sacred adornment, and everyday jewelry. My pieces are minimalist and wearable, but strikingly substantial and architectural. In addition to the aesthetic appeal of my designs, there is also a woo-woo side to what I do. All of my pieces are energetically charged, either with the frequencies of specific deities, or with an intention for the wearer. In that way, I create deeply meaningful heirloom pieces for my clients.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to create jewelry that not only brings the wearer joy, and helps them feel like their most radiant, authentic self, but that also offers healing and protection that is specific to that person. To create “talismans” in the truest sense of the word.

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

When I was growing up I never thought of myself as an artist. It was programmed into me that if you weren’t naturally talented at something like realistic drawing, you just weren’t a creative. It took me decades to embrace the fact that I am an artist and a creative in my own right. And I truly believe that everyone is an artist in their own way. Maybe you just haven’t found your medium yet. I hear a lot of people say “oh I’m not creative,” and that’s just simply untrue. We’re creative beings. You just haven’t discovered your path yet.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://talismanfinejewelry.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talismanfinejewelry/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talismanfinejewelry

Image Credits

Headshot by Queer Joy Photo, and lookbook images by Matt Nager