Besu Handmade

It is difficult to emphasize the cultural and historical impact of jewelry over time. During prehistoric times people adorned themselves with items found in their environment such as shells to signify fertility and motherhood. On the other hand, many cultures used coveted precious stones and gems as jewelry to be considered a status symbol and only the very affluent wore it. During the pre-colonization era of United States, Indigenous populations were without a written language so they used the visual display of jewelry worn as a form of communication and expression.   The art form of making jewelry has been handed down to succeeding generations as in post-colonial times, cultural identity became an important aspect of personal and tribal survival.  The layered and rich stories that American/Alaskan Indian jewelry gives rise to is particularly meaningful as many tribes were forced to convert to Christianity and the U.S. government shamefully prohibited the pract...

A million years ago I worked in a LA design school as a placement coordinator assisting graduates with getting internships or employment with designers.   I was in my very early thirties and the job barely registered a blip on my overall career trajectory.  It did not last long because I veered into the non-profit social service world where I felt I really belonged.  I would, after the age of 40, receive a BS and MPA and make my career home at a small private non-profit organization providing advocacy for older adults. Secretly though, I think about what would happened if I stayed.  Could I be a stylist or a fashion assistant or editor?   I'll never know.   I love this interview with Lucinda Chambers , decades long fashion director at British Vogue.  She really has no love for bull-shittery which I imagine makes up for about ninety-eight percent of the fashion industry.   If I were to have had a career in fashion this is the ty...