- baliearthsoul
Jewelry is more than just something you wear
Hi! I’m Anindita
Creator and Owner of Bali Earth Soul Jewelry
I started making jewelry in early 2014, inspired by a book about wire wrapping.
At first, I only planned to make jewelry for myself. Looking at the wire wrapping jewelry in that book made me want to try and make them myself.
It was pretty tough in the beginning. It was so challenging, especially to find the material and tools that I needed. Not to mention I didn’t have a lot of money to start it.
After two years of trial and error, I started to sell my jewelry in a shop as a consignment product. It felt so slow, and it took a few weeks before I made my first sale. Back then, it was so nice to have some money to pay for my school intuition and some coffee.
Life seems simple, going to school, getting back home, making jewelry, then selling some of my creations. At this point, I still see making jewelry as a hobby and nothing more than a side income. Until something happened. I made the decision to change my perspective on how about making jewelry.
Early 2018 was the hardest time in my life (so far). I was in an abusive relationship with my ex-partner, mentally and broken. Like an early 20th-year-old girl, I fell in love with someone that is not a good person and paid a hefty price. I didn't know much about law in regulation in my own country and was so reckless too. My partner was so manipulative and isolated me from my friends and family. I didn't know he was doing all the shabby work, and he didn't have a legal paper to live and work.
Once I discovered he wasn't a legit person, he started to physical abuse me and keep manipulating me to stay with him. With no friends and family knowing about what was happening to me, it was so hard to get out of his control. Few times I came back home to my parents' house with some bruises on my face and body. I was too scared and ashamed to tell them. Not to mention how persuasive my ex-partner can be. Even after he abused me, he still managed to make me feel that I'm a bad person and needed him.
That abuse lasted for months until I finally asked myself, “Ani, do you want to be like this forever? Do you want to keep staying with someone that might put you to your end when he is in a bad mood?”.
Right at that point, I packed my stuff and went back to my parents and told them everything that II've been through. It took me a year to escape and survive from a life-threatening environment. After surviving, a new page in my life opened.
Since then, making jewelry has become more like a way for me to meditate and make peace with myself. Something that I can focus my energy and passion on, turn it into something that can hold meaning. It teaches me how to be patient, calm myself and enjoy the moment.
Jewelry now becomes a tool for me to connect with myself and other people. I often get requests to make a piece for someone they love, either as a gift or a farewell item. It is so challenging to me when a customer asks me to make jewelry for someone that they love. Start from picking up the material, color of the stone, and choosing the right style for the person.
When I sell a piece of jewelry, so happy to see the joy on my customer's faces . Especially when a customer shares some story and love of the jewelry. It makes me remember how important it is to make a connection with people and share our journey in life.
I started to explore more, expand my creativity and try something new. Wire wrapping jewelry is my basics. Now I enjoy making mala necklaces. Also designing rings and necklaces with semi-precious gemstones and silver.
Sometimes, I get some custom orders, and I will pick up new types of jewelry. It’s always fun to try something new like macrame, beading, and resin jewelry .
What makes me happier on my journey as an artisan is to share my creativity and happiness of making jewelry. Besides the crafty time I spent my time making jewelry, I also do part-time teaching kids and adults how to make their own jewelry. Once in a while, I will get a call to teach and it is so nice to see others enjoy doing what I love to do.
Before realizing it, making jewelry became my whole life. Not only it helped me overcome my trauma but also helped me to support my little family and my extended family.
My long term goals, isn't just to help myself and my family. But also to help people who struggle to meets the ends. By purchasing my handmade jewelry, you will also help to give back to the community especially during this pandemic time. For every purchase you made, 10% of the profit will goes to families in need.
- Satriyani Anindita