Meet Elizabeth Sanchez

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elizabeth Sanchez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Elizabeth, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

For me, overcoming imposter syndrome is an ongoing process. Getting to know myself on a deeper level has helped me manage those moments when I feel like I don’t belong. A liar can’t convince you of something you know is true, and the same goes for the voice of your inner critic. When you’re sure of who you are, that voice begins to lose its power.

I often feel like there’s so much that I could be doing better, and imposter syndrome loves to remind me of it. When I feel like it’s dragging me down, I’ve learned to acknowledge my progress and accomplishments rather than listen to any negative thoughts.

What’s helped me most is realizing that progress isn’t linear. Imposter syndrome will make you feel like you’re constantly climbing a mountain of lessons, but you’re allowed to enjoy the trip. This is all new, and I’ve learned to let go of perfection along the way.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a metalsmith and jewelry designer based in Taos, New Mexico. Honestly, I feel like my job is equal parts magic and metalwork. I transform raw materials like gold and silver into jewelry that functions as modern day talismans. My work is inspired by the natural world, folklore, and mysticism.

I love to see how people connect with my work. When someone tells me how a piece resonates with them or that they feel a deeper meaning in it, I am reminded that I am on the right path. I love creating wearable art that sparks a sense of wonder or a feeling of connection to a memory or in the case of my memorial pieces maybe even another realm.

This fall I am doing my first event in ages. I’ll be showcasing my work in Albuquerque during the Balloon Fiesta, and if you’re around, I’d love to meet you in person! You can find me at Luna + Luz Modern West Goods in Historic Old Town Albuquerque on October 12th from 4-7pm for their 2nd Saturday event.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

My most impactful qualities have been:

Creativity – I’ve felt compelled to be creative, not just as a profession but in every part of my life. It’s more than a skill for me, it’s how I navigate the world.

Curiosity – I have an innate need to understand how things work, which has led me down the path of becoming a self-taught jeweler. Curiosity feeds my desire to learn, experiment, and collect new skills.

Confidence – Even when I didn’t have all the answers, I pushed forward hand in hand with blind confidence. Looking back, that belief in myself—no matter how shaky at times—helped me take the necessary risks to become an artist.

My advice for anyone starting out would be to make your art for yourself first. Your audience will find you. Just trust that your people are out there. The more you create, the more you’ll make things you don’t like—but you’ll also make things you love. Let yourself experiment and trust that the path will unfold as you go along.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, two things help me regain a sense of balance: lots of lists and grounding myself in nature.

Creating a list allows me to take all the scattered thoughts and tasks floating in my head and organize them into something manageable. It helps me create a plan, which instantly begins to calm the chaos.

The other thing that always centers me is spending time in nature. Sometimes I need to just slow down—listen to the birds sing and feel the sun on my skin. Spending time outdoors brings me back into my body and out of my head.

My advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed is to learn what grounds you—and make time for it. It can make a huge difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.the-horsethief.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.horsethief/