Daily Inspiration: Meet Aubrianne Bell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aubrianne Bell.

Hi Aubrianne, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Howdy! My story begins right here in the desert. I’m an Arizona native and have lived within the state my entire life. My journey in metalsmithing officially began in September of 2019 when I took a beginner’s class at KP Studio in Phoenix. However, I spent the better part of a year prior to that ruminating on the idea and wondering if I had the capability of forging jewelry with my own hands. My own great grandfather was a jeweler, by hobby not by trade, and I had in my ever-growing collection the creations of other people. So I thought, well why couldn’t I give it a try at least?

After the 8 week course I was madly in love with the magic of fire and metal. It was unlike anything I’d experienced. I’ve been drawing and painting all my life, as well as occasionally exploring other mediums such as ceramics and photography. But this was a different kind of creating. I used up the free hours I was granted from KP Studio and very quickly realized I wasn’t going to be able to invest as much in this craft if I didn’t get my own tools. Squeezing in time after work and making the long drive to Phoenix on weekends wasn’t going to be enough, I wanted to spend every free moment of every day forging metal into wearable art. Then before I knew it, the world was coming to a halt in March 2020. The impending closure of the only space I had for making jewelry fanned the flames of desire but at that point I was ready to jump all in.

I spent the money I could on some tools and a work table, and my family gifted me a few additional tools for my birthday in April 2020. I am deeply grateful to have such supportive people cheering me on and encouraging me to chase this passion. My partner especially, he is truly the most nurturing person I’ve ever known and I’m so lucky to have him. I really might have given up a few times if it weren’t for him.

At the time I’m writing this I am less than a week away from my first in-person pop-up event. To say I’m afraid would be an understatement. I’m equal parts excited and extremely anxious to bring my work in front of people. But I also know that smithing and forging magic is the path I was meant to be on.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish I could say it was a smooth road but that of course would be a lie. And it would negate the growth that comes from struggle. Some of my biggest struggles have been from seeing value in myself and my abilities. I have fallen deep into the darkness of self-doubt more times than I can count.

I’ve questioned whether or not this is something I should continue to pursue dozens of times, yet cried endlessly at the thought of not having metalsmithing in my life. I have made close friends with Imposter Syndrome (no surprise, they’re kind of an asshole). I have been blinded by anxieties and wondered if I’m making the right choice with my time, energy, and even money. Comparison has stolen the joy from me far too many times. Comparing my work and progress to others has left me incredibly disappointed more than a few times. The income of my day job has largely funded this craft which is at times a huge struggle as well.

There are of course setbacks and days I don’t even look at my workbench. Days I have to step away because I’m frustrated or heartbroken over an irreparable mishap. Days that I can’t seem to make it all work in balancing my day job, personal life, and giving time to my art.

Slowly I’m learning to combat my insecurities and doubts and fears. Through metalsmithing I’ve been learning to be patient with myself. To take better care of my mind and soul. I’ve learned in a very real and raw way that mistakes mean I have more to learn, not that I’m bad or not good enough. Learning to accept that has been a struggle in and of itself. But I’m getting there.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m not sure that I’ve been making jewelry long enough to have a ‘specialty’ so to speak or a particularly developed style. At least, from my perspective I don’t see my ‘style’ I’m just me. My own taste is very eclectic, a little of this and that. And I really do love making it all, from the small and simple to the bold statement pieces and everything in between. We are all unique and one-of-a-kind human beings so my ideas and creativity will be just as different as anyone else.

I suppose I do tend to make a lot of rings, perhaps as a projection because they are my favorite type of jewelry to wear. Currently work is in sterling silver and copper, and in the future I intend to learn to work with gold. I also use an assortment of earthly treasures in my pieces from turquoise and jasper to variscite and agate. It’s impossible to imagine only using one material because I’m wildly fascinated by the gems and minerals of this earth. Lapidary work is something I have my sights set on in the future as well.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Some of my absolute favorite childhood memories are centered around the outdoors. My family would go camping multiple times throughout a year and my dad would stop us wherever we were or whatever we were doing to pick up rocks he thought were interesting. Much to the dismay of my mom who questioned what my dad ever planned to do with all the rocks he collected. He just liked to collect them. And I did as well, still do of course.

So much so that one year for my birthday as a kid I got a rock tumbler and it was just about the best thing ever. Even now as adults (my dad being now an older adult) we’ve almost always got our eyes passively searching the ground for any rock that might catch our eye. I’ve got a bucket of rocks and stones I’ve collected in my workspace now, thankfully my partner doesn’t mind.

Contact Info:

• Email: arcadiansun.co@gmail.com
• Website: www.etsy.com/shop/ArcadianSunCo
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/arcadiansun.co
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/arcadiansun.co

Image Credits
Vilma Gjonzeneli, Jon Roach