Meet Jeanie Whatley

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jeanie Whatley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jeanie below.

Jeanie , appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by consistently presenting it with fun new challenges. I make sure it doesn’t get bored. I turn it into a game to see whether or not I can overcome the challenge presented. Regardless of the outcome, I learn something invaluable every time. I learn and grow by hands on play. Trial and error.

I like to try ideas and concepts in which I have little experience or information about to see what happens. I want to see what I’m capable of doing. Especially with limited resources and no formal training. Which makes a successful build even more rewarding.

My approach to creativity is, “Welp, there’s only one way to find out. Let’s give it a go.”

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

I love nostalgia. Vintage is really where the fun begins. I admire the journey, the history, the styles, the differences in craftsmanship and materials used, the cultural themes and significances, and the beauty of meaningful, celebratory wears.

Its exciting to revisit different eras in time in different places around the world. Beautifully produced pieces from the past that share a wisdom and a foundation of expression. Telling us stories through the creative voice of representation by metal manipulation.

I love celebrating cultural significances and differences. The gift of being able to experience and appreciate the beautiful artistry of different places. Places one may never travel to, but can explore and experience the cultures by way of authentic jewelry.

I enjoy the hunt for interesting and unique pieces from any era of any country. The nostalgic warmth of remembering certain things. The connection it creates to the piece. I love keeping styles and designs of old alive and well in the present. It forces a moment of reflection of where we’ve been and where we are. History matters.

Every piece of vintage is meticulously curated. Authenticity is everything. Otherwise, what’s the point? The history, the symbolism, and the journey is what gives every build depth, character, and connection. Having an actual, tactile, legitimate piece of history holds a value that is unattainable by anything else.

I mix and match pieces from different countries, eras, styles, and materials to create something fun and unique. For example, I paired a pendant from the 1930s with a contrasting yet complimentary chain from the 1970s.

I build wearable hybrid time machines.

Restoration is done by hand. No machines. Its a very zen like aspect of the whole process that I absolutely love. Its definitely less efficient and time consuming, but its a form of self care and builds a deeper connection to the piece.

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

Growing up, I lived with my grandparents who still lived many aspects of their lives in previous eras in time, which provided an invaluable education and insight to the finer details of the styles, themes, materials, and designs of eras passed.

I was raised by the television and love fashion photography. I instinctively pay attention to patterns in theme, color, design, placement and usage, in the context of the era.

If fashion magazines taught me anything, is not to be afraid of taking risks. If it fails, you learned something. If it works, you learned something. You grow regardless. So, why not go for it and see what happens? Stand in authenticity of self and service among the masses of masks and self interest. Life’s short. Go have some fun.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

Its not so much one book, but one person, who wrote many books. The work of Alan Watts has been the most impacting and healing of any other in my life experience thus far. His simplification and poetic delivery of soul piercing insight and clarity has provided me with an insurmountable sense of understanding, balance, and wisdom. I find his interpretations calming, reassuring, empowering, and grounding.

He reminds one to stay in the present. Just as it is, not how you wish it was, and without resistance. To move with, rather than against. Possibilities become more abundant. And in that abundance, lies freedom.

Contact Info:

• Website: Under Construction
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/buttonandbrass