We recently connected with Sophia Putman and have shared our conversation below.
Sophia, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hopes that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
Since kindergarten, I had my eyes set on becoming an ocean scientist and studying coral reefs and the animals that lived there. I held tight to that dream throughout high school and college as well, and I even held jobs as a saltwater specialist at my local aquarium and a research assistant in a fish ecology laboratory. At the time, however, I was unaware of the damage I was doing to my mental health as a result of my fear of failure. I pressed on in my biology classes and research despite the immense burnout and depression academia was causing me. Leafing through hundreds of jargon-filled (and thus, incredibly inaccessible) scientific papers and searching for non-existent jobs were the slap-in-the-face realities of a career National Geographic hyped up for me. As I was beginning to unravel in an identity crisis, tragedy struck when a dear friend of mine took his life during my Junior year of college. This loss broke me, and sent me into one of the darkest depressions I’ve ever known. After a professor made me cry by calling me out in class for having my attention elsewhere in class one day, I knew I needed to take a break. I decided to withdraw from school to go home. At the beginning, the only thing that would get me out of bed in the mornings was my art and my jewelry business. The practice of wire wrapping became my safe space. I could listen to music, a podcast, or a show while occupying my hands and mind with a design. This, paired with weekly therapy sessions and family time in the evenings, brought happiness and hope to my spirit again. I knew then that I couldn’t return to my previous career plan because I could better see how toxic it was for me. I chose instead to focus on the people and activities that brought meaning and joy to my life. This realization, along with the loving support of my family, boyfriend, and friends, encouraged me to graduate college early so I could pursue education in fine jewelry fabrication, with the goal of expanding my brand, Au Elements Jewelry. That is exactly what I am doing right now! I am currently a student at the New Approach School for Jewelers, loving life and creating little moments of sparkly happiness every day! I feel that there is so much to look forward to on this new journey, and I cannot wait to create more things with the intention of bringing hope and joy to those doubting themselves or scared to try something new.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’ve been an artist my whole life, and decided to try my hand at jewelry making in the summer of 2022. I was in need of some extra gas money, so I opened up a small Etsy shop for my work. I even created an Instagram page to connect with potential buyers. At the time, I was only making simple earrings and pendants using upcycled beads from vintage jewelry pieces. However, Instagram introduced me to many incredibly talented jewelry artists who changed my brain chemistry forever! Through their video tutorials and books, I ramped up my product quality quickly, and even started to take on custom order requests for chokers, pendants, and earrings. As my small business began to grow, I finally had the platform and means to donate more significantly to the causes most pressing on my mind. Au Elements Jewelry began to host monthly charity auctions and produce pieces that contributed to specific funds like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Rise Against Hunger, and the Humane Society of Huron Valley. My “big break” came with the launching of my Space Bun Halos. They are beaded rings that pin into a tight hair bun that makes it look like the planet Saturn! My Instagram post went viral, and I had hundreds of Etsy orders come through in the matter of days. This helped grow my audience on social media, boost the brand, and most importantly, increase donation efforts! I’ve made thousands of Space Bun Halos and even got the design copyrighted for myself, which was a huge accomplishment. Since Space Bun Halos are more simple and less time consuming to make, I was able to invest my time in designing massive projects like my Demeter Chain Bralette. While I am currently in jewelry school learning how to make fine jewelry like custom engagement rings, I am offering a Create Your Own Space Bun Halo Guide for folks to download through my Etsy shop. Additionally, I am offering the Demeter Collection as a rental unit for those wanting to wear the set for photography sessions or special events. In the future, I hope to upscale my work even more by introducing metalsmithed projects to my store and by offering manufactured versions of my Space Bun Halos.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Resilience: Throughout my college journey, I faced numerous challenges, including academic burnout and loss, which greatly harmed my mental health. However, I didn’t settle in these setbacks. I took time off to heal and discover myself again. I found the strength to persevere and ask for support. Developing resilience requires cultivating a growth mindset, practicing self-care, and building a support network of friends, family, and mentors who can provide encouragement and guidance during tough times.
Creativity: Embracing my creativity allowed me to explore new artistic mediums and express myself in ways that brought me joy and fulfillment like never before. Whether it was experimenting with wire wrapping techniques or designing intricate choker patterns, creativity fueled my passion and innovation. To nurture creativity, it’s essential to embrace curiosity, stay open to new ideas, and carve out time for creative exploration and play. Surrounding oneself with diverse sources of inspiration, such as art, nature, and culture, can also spark creativity and fuel the imagination.
Adaptability: My journey taught me the importance of being flexible and adaptable in the face of change. When I realized that my initial career path wasn’t conducive to my well-being, I pivoted towards jewelry making and entrepreneurship. This willingness to adapt to new circumstances and embrace uncertainty allowed me to discover new opportunities for growth, success, and happiness. Cultivating adaptability involves being open-minded, embracing experimentation, and continuously learning and evolving. It’s about staying agile and resilient in an ever-changing world.
For those who are early in their journey, my advice is to prioritize self-discovery, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and stay true to your heart’s passions and values. Invest time in exploring different interests and experimenting with new skills, even if your first attempts don’t go the way you hoped. Surround yourself with a supportive community of mentors, peers, and fellow creatives who can provide guidance, feedback, and encouragement along the way. Remember that your journey is unique, and it’s okay to take detours or change direction as you grow and evolve. Stay resilient, stay creative, and stay adaptable, and trust that you’ll find your path to fulfillment and success!!
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
My jewelry teacher frequently says that the best financial investment you can make, is an investment in yourself and your skills. This past year, I made it a goal to improve my craftsmanship. At the start, I was definitely flying by the seat of my pants, as I did not take any courses or read on the subject of wire wrapping. Because of this, my work was typically rushed and not structurally sound, which really irked my perfectionist side.
To start, I studied the works of some impressive wire weaving artists like Tay Rae Gems, Soul Society Jewelry, Metalsmith Society, and Entwined Mind Designs and purchase some books as well. I challenged myself by sketching out my designs step-by-step so that I could mentally and visually problem solve the project before using the material. I also tried out a diversity of jewelry techniques including chainmail and lacework in order to cross compare methods.
I’ve been able to successfully translate these skills in the graduate bench jeweler’s program I’m enrolled in at the New Approach School for Jewelers. While I do not have previous experience as a fine jewelry artist at a shop, my newly obtained knowledge of metalsmithing and wire wrapping from this past year has been endlessly beneficial. I’ve improved my eye for detail and my understanding of metalwork tenfold since starting classes. I can now set stones, fabricate with precious metals, solder, polish, and more! I couldn’t have achieved this rapid level of advancement if I hadn’t invested my time in learning from professionals and making connections with my fellow creatives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.auelementsjewelry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/au.elements.jewelry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/au.elements.jewelry/
- Other: https://auelementsjewelry.etsy.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@au.elements.jewelry
Image Credits
Sophia Putman
