We were lucky to catch up with Melina Nikolina Donalson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Melina Nikolina, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
Interestingly, I’ve been criticized in the past by some, stating that I should ask more for my work, my time, etc. To me, giving has always felt intrinsic and better than getting. When I was four years old I had my tonsils removed and stayed overnight in the hospital. I shared a room with another little girl who was very scared and crying all night. Next to my bed were gifts from my family, a stuffed Mickey Mouse and a Babar The Elephant book. I climbed out of my hospital bed and gave the girl my stuffed Mickey, and read to her until she fell asleep. In the morning, when my family came to get me, they seemed confused as to why I gave my gifts away. But, it made perfect sense to me. Giving feels good. To be of some kind of service to help another human feel seen or special.
To this day, I give when I can. I’ll sometimes hold a raffle or auction for a piece of jewelry for a specific cause. Other times I’ll create a piece of jewelry for a friend and give it to them, just because I want to.
My grandparents were very generous with me when I was young, even though they didn’t have much. They were Greek immigrants and worked very hard. I think that infuenced me as well. Money and possessions have always felt fluid to me. Maybe because I’ve never had material weatlh, never owned a home or anything. Helps me feel less attached to things, I suppose.
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 self-taught Silver & Goldsmith and Artist. The name LUPANYXA (Loopah-Niksah) formerly Lunalupa, is inspired by many things. The word Lupus is a disabling autoimmune disease I live with. The word Lupa from the Latin word for “shewolf”, and Nyxa is a variation on the Greek name Nyx: the primordial goddess of, and personification of the Night. It’s my way of carrying that weight, as well as my ancestors with me. Together I formed these words into LUPANYXA. I feel this name connected deep within me.
I found my way to jewelry many years after working in costume, clothing and accessory design. My one-of-a-kind jewelry is responsibly and fastidiously crafted, forged and made by my two ragged hands in my studio just south of Portland, Oregon (on the traditional and indigenous lands and village sites of the Native peoples of the Kalapuya, Chinook, Molalla, and the Clackamas), ever since I began making jewelry full time in 2014.
I recycle, melt, mill and forge most all of my metals myself, as opposed to buying ready-made milled silver and gold sheet, wire and components from a supplier.
Jewelry is the medium that absolutely captures my attention in every way, as I’ve always been an artist, sculptor and designer who’s obsessed with adornment. As an Autistic woman who thinks in pictures and highly detailed diagrams, creating jewelry is like forming tiny wearable sculptures, engineered and built by my hands and is where my brain feels most at home.
I work almost exclusively with Sterling, Fine Silver and Solid Gold. I care deeply about the quality and longevity of my work, and use responsibly sourced stones and gems from mines here in the Americas and from the most reputable and ethical suppliers. I discerningly source from a few, very select overseas gem cutters. Many of the cabochons I use in my work, are cut in-house by my partner and 2nd generation Lapidarist, Max Avila.
My inspiration arises from the mystery of life itself, mythology, the vastness of the cosmos, the stable density of earth, the emotion of water, the invisible messages in the ether, the excitement of fire, the changing seasons, cycles, rituals, forests, oceans, creatures and all of nature.
As far as plans for the future, I just hope to keep doing what I’m doing. I’m not trying to build a brand or an empire. I’m happy being able to wake up each day and walk into my tiny workshop. I live to create, and create to live.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I honestly feel life experience has helped me a lot. I didn’t start making my own jewelry until I was over 40, and only then realized that I’m much better working independently than with others
Also, self-motivation is key to working for yourself, and since I’m obsessed with creating jewelry, it really works out.
Lastly, make art for you. It keeps your work authentic and people connect with that. In the jewelry industry there are so many copy cats and it can be competitve. So having your own voice is powerful.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Visibility. As we all know social media and its algorithms are always changing, and not always in ways that help artists and makers. This past year or so has been particularly challenging. I’ve always relied on social media for people to find my work. If it weren’t for my group of longtime supporters and patrons, it would be even more challenging. So, I’ve been trying new apps, sending out occasional email updates to my customers and trying hard not to feel frustrated or discouraged because I know things are always changing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lupanyxa.com
- Instagram: @lupanyxajewelry
Image Credits
Portrait photo by Autumn Swisher Photography
