In light of today's loss, we wanted to dedicated this post to our hero - Maya Angelou. May she rest in peace, and may her work inspire generations of the present and the future.
Lettering // Maggie Lea Voss
Crafting and Loving
Courtney Weil is the founder and designer of one of our favorite online jewelry brands called "Crafts and Love." Today, she releases her latest 'Greece' collection, so we sat down to talk about the new jewelry, and also her humble beginnings.
First off, tell us about yourself and how you started getting into jewelry making!
Growing up with two brothers, I quickly learned I did not want to play Mario Kart and Super Smash Brothers nearly as much as they did. Instead, I taught myself how to make jewelry at a young age. Fast forward to college, I was fundraising for a mission trip to travel to Nicaragua and stayed up late one night setting up an Etsy shop in an attempt to buy a plane ticket. Much to my surprise, it worked, and my first sale was to a complete stranger! That feeling of excitement, nerves, and relief is totally unmatched. I fully funded that plane ticket with jewelry sales, and also developed a love for selling and promoting my own creations. During graduate school, I had slightly more free time than undergraduate work, so I spent that time channeling my creative notions into more of a cohesive brand, and it has grown wonders since then.
What's the aesthetic of the brand?
I adore simplistic beauty and combine gemstones and vintage findings into minimalist jewelry for the fashionable woman on the go. I envision my jewelry as those pieces you reach for day in and day out when you're running out the door for a busy day. I want my jewelry to be wearable and minimalist, but have that unexpected element of style that make my customers feel unique. I don't consider my jewelry 'art', but rather utility and wear-ability are more important to me; I want my jewelry to be unique but neutral enough that it will match dozens of outfits in your closet. I also tend to gravitate towards long, pendant necklaces with vintage and romantic-inspired components.
What is your dream for Crafts & Love?
Overall, I hope to be able to spread love with my craft (hence, my name!). Not only do I want my customers to feel beautiful when they slip on a Crafts and Love necklace, but I also want to use their investment into my business to spread love elsewhere. I recently had the honor of welcoming Yerosen, a precious 8-year old living in Ethiopia, into our Crafts and Love family. Every month, profits from Crafts and Love are sent to Yerosen to pay for her education and basic needs. I am so humbled to financially support precious Yerosen, but also to lift her and her family up in prayer. I hope to not only be a stable part of her life, but to be able to do the same for more beautiful souls in the future.
The new line launches today. Can you tell us a bit about it? What are the new pieces like?
So today I just launched 40 new pieces in our Greece Collection! You'll find lots of turquoise pendants, loads of fringe details, vintage chains, and gorgeous, lightweight pieces that are perfect for summer adventuring!
Atlanta is growing to be a whole new society - It's almost a new hub for the vintage-esque bloggers and DIY-doers. Tell us about living and working there!
Absolutely! Living in Atlanta and being a part of the small business community is really exciting right now! Just within the past 5 years, Atlanta has grown immensely in it's creative scene, from the growth in festivals and markets, to gorgeous murals and street art, to the revitalization of forgotten landmarks. I am constantly meeting new creatives and this community has been the most encouraging and uplifting communities I've ever been a part of. We all want to succeed and the proverb "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together" rings true in my mind all the time, when I find myself getting advice from my peers. It has been truly unique to have peers who also have jewelry businesses (i.e. competitors), who choose to mentor, help, and grow together, instead of the pretending to be competitive and weird. Living in Atlanta has been the perfect place to launch Crafts and Love, and I am extremely humbled day after day at the number of customers here who choose Crafts and Love.
Photographs // Rustic White
Happy Mother's Day from Zooey Magazine
Here at Zooey Magazine, we wanted to take the time to thank our beautiful mothers and wish them all a very special Mother's Day (May 11). It's certainly the hardest occupation anyone can ever taken on. For all the times we've cried and you were there to help sooth our pains, thank you. For all the times we hurt ourselves playing sports or made fools of ourselves with all sorts of stunts and you kissed the boo-boo's away, thank you. For all the times we yelled back during our teenage-tantrum years and you did nothing but endure it, thank you. For all the times you taught us everything we need to know about life, we thank you.
Jessica Castro: Anyone who knows my mother knows she's my biggest fan. There's no one at her work that doesn't know how I have been or what I have been up to. All throughout out my life she has always been there for me to help conquer my goal and fears, no matter the size. She is a bright light in my life. I admire her greatly for her everlasting positive energy, hard work and love she shows my father and I.
Courtenay Coleman: When I was little, my mom and I would get in the car, turn up the radio, roll the windows down, and go "cruising". Even to this day, when ever a 90s pop song comes on, I think about those carefree days with her. They are some of my absolutely favorite memories. I love that she taught me how to love unconditionally, always be up for an adventure, work hard, and to drink my coffee black. She really is my best friend!
Megan Elliott: As her first child, my mom and I have always had a special bond. We have always been there for each other and are much more like best friends than anything else. My mom is the type to let me explore on my own, but I know I can always come back home to her. Now that I'm an adult, she travels the world teaching English in other countries - something I truly admire.
Asami Zenri: I obviously don't have any memories when this photo was taken, but I remember she's always loved feminine and girly outfits in pretty colors. Maybe that's the reason why I started having true love to fashion when I was very little...
Megan Welker: My Mom is my biggest inspiration. Most people dread the day they "turn into their Mother" but to be honest, I can't wait and hope that I already am there. She is the most inspiring woman I know. She's who I got my stubborn independence from, she's taught me how to use a hand saw and also how to sew. Now that we live four hours part, I truly treasure the time spent together and hanging out at the ranch. I can't wait to be a mother one day and follow in her footsteps.
Lucia Tran: This is actually a photo of my mother and my oldest brother, probably dating from 1987/1988 (Mom actually forgot to send me a photo). My family arrived in the United States in 1992 from Vietnam, and I was born months later in in California. I am the youngest of 3. My mother is the hardest working person and strongest woman I have ever been blessed to know. When I was younger, I remember my mother balancing at least 3 jobs while still coming home on time to make dinner for my brothers and I. There never was a day when she simply rests. She is always there when I need her, and always supporting me in all my endeavors - however insane they may sound. To this day, she is my biggest fan and what gets me teary eyed the most is when she calls me to remind me to stop working so much, and that she feels bad she's not here to help me. I simply cannot thank her enough for all that she's done and all that she will do. So here's to you mom, and moms all around the world. Thank you.