Here is more detail regarding my process and materials in creating sustainable art. I did not mention the wood used is more than reclaimed. It is old growth: “Old-growth wood refers to wood from trees that belonged to forests that grew up over hundreds of years. A majority of today’s lumber is harvested from trees that have been cultivated to grow rapidly, so the wood is not as dense. As a result, it is weaker and more susceptible to decay and instability. Old-growth wood has nearly ten times the number of growth rings per inch (meaning that it is much denser) and is more resistant to decay or damage.” Because of this, the jewelry is much more stable and strong.
I love the Maya Angelou quote above. Sometimes I don’t want to forgive myself for things I’ve done in the past, but then I realize I didn’t know better. Guilt is tough!
I have known that I wanted to do better for this growing artistic venture, but I didn’t know how until now. As I’ve said before the packaging I use is recycled, the wood is reclaimed USA barn wood, some of the shirts are organic cotton and bamboo etc.
I don’t want to compromise when it comes to the planet. The earrings come with either 14k or sterling silver attachments for several reasons but primarily so that those with sensitive skin are more likely to be able to wear them. Now I have the best of both worlds. I have found the high quality metal, sourced in the USA through Rio Grande Jewelry, and they have recycled metal!! I will be switching over each of my products and all new products will be made with recycled materials minus the 14k gold which is not recycled but is sourced in the USA. This makes my heart happy today.
The spelling of my name is not traditional. Technically it should be Porfiria (like my grandpa Porfirio). When I’ve searched the meaning I typically come across “stubborn” and “the preferred one.” I’m not sure about the second description but I know I’ve been told many times that I am stubborn. I know it can be a negative attribute and it has stuck me negatively in many ways.
More recently, I have come across nothing but obstacles in trying to share my art in a wearable and sustainable way. Time and time again I come across “we’ve never done that before.” Wait…what? For example, the art on my shirts can be reproduced using less expensive shirts with plastisol inks, but stubbornly I pushed until I found a screen printer willing to take this on with water based ink and sustainable fabrics.
Next I decided I wanted to make earrings. My sister-in-law cut a few of my designs a few years back and they were beautiful. I was ready to add some to my website. I decided I wanted to use local and reclaimed wood. It sounded easy enough. In all of these projects, I thought time was going to be my biggest obstacle, HA! I quickly came to realize the “wooden” earrings so often sold online are not actually pure wood!? First I was upset that I had fallen into another trap as a consumer. Then I was insecure that my earrings were not “perfect.” The wood grain is evident and the engraving is not completely smooth.
As I was staining the earrings with teak oil, the message I had chosen for one of the designs smacked me between the eyes. “A beautiful thing is never perfect.'“ So, I present my latest creation made of real reclaimed walnut or reclaimed USA barn wood provided by another local business Front Range Timber. They have been amazingly kind! I’ve come to realize they are perfect in what I set out to achieve.
