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Over the past couple of years, it has become clear to me the power the natural world has over the state of our mental health. Every single day, I’m learning so many things from watching my garden grow, caring for my houseplants, and going out for a walk down a tree-lined street.
Intuitively, I know how nature is a healing force, even when I bring it into our homes. So I wasn’t at all surprised – but I was delighted – when the same narrative emerged from my interview with resin artist Bella Joy.
Bella creates exquisite plant jewellery, and she forages the botanical material on her hikes in the forests of Sweden.
Have a look at her jewellery below (and on her website). But more importantly, read her answers on the connection between nature and mental and emotional well-being.
Hi, Bella! Can you please tell us a little bit about your business?
I create wearable botanical art pieces inspired by nature and emotions. I am the kind of artist who always finds comfort in nature and who tends to associate colors and shapes to different emotions.
I focus on wearable art, particularly jewellery. I love details, and you can clearly see that in all of my work. I do create minimalist designs from time to time, but I enjoy my work more if I can see details that were formed by tiny flowers and leaves. Most botanicals that I use were gathered during my walks around the area where I live in Sweden.
How did you decide to start a business making botanical jewellery?
It all began when I was looking for ways to preserve the pressed flowers that I kept between the pages of my books. Resin was also becoming popular at the time in terms of flower preservation, so I thought I’d give it a try. It was never intended to become a business, but most of my friends kept telling me that I should sell it!
After months of encouragement, I gave in, and thus Izabella Resin Art was born. To be honest, I didn’t expect the response I got in my first three months as a resin artist.
People were sending messages about how they feel whenever they look at my work, telling me that it gives them calmness and peace.
These kinds of messages filled my inbox, especially at the beginning of lockdown. From that moment on, I realized that my work was more than a business; it had become a haven for people who are battling anxiety because of the uncertain times we’re living in.
Can you give us some insight into your creative process? How does a piece of jewellery designed by you come to life?
My creative process is somewhat unique because I usually associate a certain feeling with all the things I see, the places I’ve been to, and even my interactions with people.
For me, these emotions correspond to certain colors and shapes of botanicals I get through foraging the forest where I live. Unlike other artists who create sketches before making the actual artwork, I prefer laying all my flowers on the table and just allowing creativity to flow through me.
How do you source the flowers that you use in your designs?
Most flowers that I use for my work were foraged during my walks in different forests near where I live in Sweden. This pastime led me to learn more about the different botanicals that I gather. The knowledge I have about these plants helps a lot in my business, and it also makes my customer understand more about my artwork.
What does a workday look like for you?
I am an entrepreneur and an international student living in Sweden. My day is usually spent working on my university assignments and creating designs for Izabella Resin Art.
I also walk everyday, morning or afternoon, and I always have a box or a bottle of water with me. These two items are handy for a forager, especially when I see botanicals along my walk and I need to make sure that they will not wither fast.
When I get home from walking, I immediately put the botanicals in my presser or in a container with a drying agent. Once done, I go back to working on my research for uni classes. When I get tired, I go back to cutting dried flowers or creating thank you cards for my customers. Basically, my workday is like juggling between flowers and books. My life as a student can be very demanding, but my business with flowers helps me preserve my sanity.
Do you have a favorite houseplant?
Unlike my mom who has a green thumb, I think I am not really blessed with the skill of keeping plants alive. However, when I moved to Sweden, I bought my first ever plant. It was pink heather (Calluna vulgaris), a beautiful plant that is really low maintenance and yields a lot of flowers. To be honest, I used most of its flowers in my work. Sad to say, my heather withered around March, so I didn’t have a choice but to gather all its flowers and just use it in my art. I will get this type of plant again once it becomes available on the market.
Where can people find you online?
You can visit my shop and learn more about what I do through my website, izabellaresin.com. I am also very active on my Instagram account where I post my life as a botanical artist. I also show people how I forage in the woods from time to time.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with me, Bella.
All images via izabellaresin.com
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