Five minutes with Orchesa ~ the ensemble behind the brand, why nature is the best teacher and how to tread lightly on Mother Nature.
ORCHESA / SEEKD
FAY CANNINGS: INTERVIEWER
GIANNA GRACE: WRITER
I love the idea of your brand and collection being based on the idea of an orchestra, what inspired you to make that analogy?
My creative process is perhaps a little unorganized. I am an idealist, so I rule almost nothing out. In the beginning, everything sounds like a good idea. After months of name-contemplation, while listening to some classical pieces of music, in search of a processional song for my wedding- I found it. I am not a connoisseur of symphonies and orchestra, but to my untrained ear, if I concentrated, I could make out the different instruments and textures in the sound.
Stay with me...
Something everyone learns in an art school is the theory of Gestalt, which in German means: the whole is more than the sum of it’s parts. When I heard the classical music, I started to understand the beauty and importance each piece has in the overall sound of an orchestra. Going back to my process: all ideas are relevant to the realization of a design...every detail is essential. Orchestra: what it means, how it’s made- is the inspiration behind my design process- the synergy is very compelling to me. I wanted a made-up word, and so I played with different adding/substracting of letters and landed on what I liked best: Orchesa (OR-KAY-SUH)
Preserving and appreciating natural beauty is obviously very important to you, what is the top way you do that in your making?
Nature is the best teacher (Shakespeare said it first!). Nature in relation to art and design can be dissected on so many levels. The forms, the vistas, the systems, the evolutions, the processes. There is actually endless inspiration to be found in nature. It’s so special that something so necessary is also so extraordinarily stunning. So preservation, as much as I can, is very important to me.
After working in a mass-production based market, I knew conscious decisions would be necessary every step of the way for Orchesa. We live in a world where excess exists in so many ways- so making new with existing materials is huge.
We try our hardest, and that’s all anyone can do. We use at least 98% recycled precious metals, so already- it’s a business of repurposing material. It is not easy to find certified vendors, and it is more expensive to buy. However, the clean materials and the dedication to timeless design will ultimately provide our customers with a unique piece they can enjoy for years and years with a clear conscience- worth it!
As of this year, the collection also includes vermeil pieces using 18k Fairtrade. One thing that’s exciting to me is - I know there are so many opportunities in regards to growing a sustainable brand with as low-impact as possible. I am always looking for ways to evolve and improve all the time!
What are your tips for preserving nature in day-to-day life?
Trying to tread lightly on Mother Nature is essential to Orchesa- here are a few:
● Think about Energy- how much electricity is being used. I just invested in a great dry polishing system to help with finishing my pieces. It’s super energy-efficient, and it has a long warranty, so I’m not swapping for new all the time.
● Consider the source- where are your materials coming from? I work on a lot of custom pieces, specifically engagement rings, involving gemstones. Knowing the source and practices of gems is important, so I have been studying to become a Gemologist to educate myself while doing the market research to ensure my customers are getting ethical stones, be it natural or lab.
● Consider your waste- it’s a sneaky one sometimes. It comes in the smallest details, in every industry. We save all of our scrap metal to return to our casting vendors. Being in the jewelry industry, the amount of polybags used is crazy but also sometimes necessary - I haven’t purchased any yet because I have collected a mountain of them!
● Be thrifty- do more with less. It can be hard to do especially when you are so familiar with a certain process. Learning how to maximize the skills in your toolbox will probably help you grow as a creative also.
● Read your labels- In the jewelry industry a lot of chemicals are being used, and there are less harsh/natural options for almost everything! You can go so deep with this. I think it’s important to consider your process, and look for opportunies - anyone can do this!
Your top 3 tips for staying mentally fit in times of adversity.
I will reply with respect to our current global situation...
● Reflect- everyone has such a busy life, and it seems like there is hardly time to feed ourselves properly, let alone meditate! But now, during a time of isolation, we may find a little more time to have some introspection. I personally have a long list of things I would like to do, research, work on, explore: both personally and in my company (and for some of us, there is definitely some cross-pollination!). ***
● Developing a new skill- so many people are painting, sculpting, journaling, learning to make bread, catching up on your book-lists, masterclass-ing, learning yoga, keeping themselves mentally sharp and letting growth and positivity occupy their thoughts. I find a little peace by simply keeping my hands busy, and heart happy.
● Find a way to help- Make yourself essential if possible. For the past week, and until Easter- 30% of Orchesa sale’s profit will go to @feedingamerica and @firstbookorg. Everyone is in a precarious spot right now, but even small gestures: writing a letter to a relative or friend, local business, health care center spreading encouragement, appreciation, and positivity- could be super meaningful. I understand that earrings might not be on the top of someone’s needs list and jewelry might not make the world go round, but it and other art forms are a massive part of ALL of our history, culture, happiness, and personal expression, and continuing those are essential.
Thank you, readers, I appreciate your time and your support of SEEKD. And thank you so much Fay for the opportunity to share some thoughts on Orchesa, you run an awesome platform- and fully appreciate your support!