We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alison Reitsma a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alison, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I have always been creative, wether it be through painting, thrifting furniture pieces and redoing them, cooking and baking, dance and movement experimenting with different mediums.
As a child I would do any craft I could get my hands on. Painting, sewing and jewelry were favorites. I was always very shy, and I found that communicating through creativity boosted my self-confidence. I was a decent student, but I found myself turning most assignments into art projects. If it was a math project, I’d paint the most beautiful geometric shapes or graphs, if it was a science project, I’d paint a picture of some sort of flora and fauna and label each part. If it was a book report, I’d make a 3D diorama of a scene in the book that stuck with me. Even my class notes were sprinkled with drawings and colorful words. I went to a school where they fostered that creativity and never questioned me basically turning the assignments into what I wanted them to become. Over the years that was just how I operated, I felt most comfortable working like this and it really helped me to gain confidence.
My art has always been there for me and has helped me grow into who I am today.
I love teaching workshops and classes in hopes that making a piece of jewelry will help my students gain confidence through creativity,
That is one of my mantras. Confidence through creativity.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a self taught metalsmith, I absolutely love my job because there is never a dull moment. There are so many directions to go and things to draw inspiration from. Nature and travel are my muses, I’m also inspired by geometry, poetry and music.
Jewelry is my first love. Recently I have started making mobiles, suncatchers and accessories for plants. This new addition brings me pure JOY. To know that clients are selecting a piece to live with in their home everyday makes me feel so honored.
Another aspect of my job is teaching workshops and private lessons. Working with small groups and individuals is a passion of mine, and sharing my metalwork knowledge feels so special.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Be true to yourself and do what you love, I have loved being creative since I can remember, and I feel beyond grateful that I listened to that creative voice inside telling me to follow my heart.
2. Be gentle with yourself. You might not shine in every area, but guess what…No one does! Learn at your own pace and it will come to you when you are ready.
3. Go at your own pace. Rushing and doing things based on comparison steals the joy from it.
I had to add one more because its my fave…
4.Work from JOY
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to let me be me. They never pushed me to be something I wasn’t. If I wanted to create all day, thats what I did. If I wanted to take an adult community ed beading class when I was 11, my mom enrolled me and advocated for me to participate. My parents raised me to be real and honest with my emotions and I am now realizing, as an adult, that has been a huge tool in my creative process. My mom taught me to find beauty in the natural world, how nature’s colors are the most beautiful color combinations and how the shapes and forms are perfection. I’ll always and forever be grateful how my parents raised me to be exactly who I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alisonwendy.com
- Instagram: @alisonwendy1
Image Credits
Photo of Alison Wendy taken by Holly Pinkerton
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
