Name: Tammy Lynn Coppola
Occupation: I am a certified massage therapist and Reiki practitioner. I am also a jewelry maker and crocheter of hats, scarves, and other things.
Location: Hazel Park, MI
Brand Name: With Metta
What is your favorite blog?: I don’t really read jewelry blogs, but perhaps I should begin. (THOUGHT: I think it is great to know that jewelry designers aren’t ONLY focused on jewelry. All of these different focused blogs could be great designs for her jewelry though.) The blogs that I read regularly are Earth Dancers , Path to Freedom, and Detroit Evolution Laboratory.
Who is your favorite designer?: My favorite jewelry designers are all independent in their work… Mary Peterson from Perpetual Sunshine Creations creates beautifully, intricate hemp pieces, Barefoot Mama creates heartfelt and unique jewelry, ceramic pendants, and a plethora of other handmade goodness, and Didgi Healer (Seth Pincus) gives life to breathtaking wire wraps. As far as clothing designers everything I wear is either handmade or second-hand. Some of my favorite clothing creators are Chopstix Waits, Tree Town Batiks, and Open Eye Vibez. They all have such beautiful creative vision.
Why did you start designing jewelry?: I began making jewelry while I was still a child. I used to take apart jewelry that my mother and grandmother passed onto me and then reassembled them into new pieces. I was already painting and making some of my own clothes, and putting glitter on everything. I think making jewelry was a natural extension and outlet for my creative spirit. As time went on it became a partial means for my livelihood. In my early twenties I followed The Grateful Dead a bit and sold my wares on Shakedown Street. Then, when I was twenty-four my boyfriend- now husband- and I jumped into our ’71 VW bus and traveled across the country for a year or so. My husband is a musician so he made money playing gigs here and there and busking in the streets. I sold my jewelry and did hair wraps, and together we made enough to travel 44,000 miles and put food in our bellies. (What an exciting adventure! Don’t we all wish we could do that!?:) Today my jewelry and crochet work combined with my bodywork practice are my personal sole means of income. In spite of the necessity of money in our society my work allows me to often participate in the tradition of trading which I believe helps to strengthen a much needed sense of community.
What inspires your designs?: As far as inspiration, I would have to say that Mother Earth inspires me most- her colors and textures and energy. I use a lot of stones and other organic- and strictly vegan- materials in my work. I stay away from synthetic baubles and beads. My creations are a way for me to share- and give respect to- the great and sacred beauty that I see surrounding me every day.
Where are your items sold?: As of now I sell my jewelry on Esty, Art Fire, and MySpace. Trixie’s Coffeehouse in Roseville, MI is also kind enough to give me some space and I will also often set up a table at shows that my husband’s band plays. I had the good fortune to vend at the Art and Soul festival this past summer and look forward to becoming more involved in the festival circuit.
How would you describe your designs?: How would I describe my designs? Earthy-Spiritfilled-Joyful-Creative Meditations.
If you could have one person wear your designs, who would that be?: There’s really not one person over another that I would want to wear my designs. I am grateful to anyone who feels inspired by my work. To know that someone appreciates my creations is something pretty darn special to me.
What would you say could be the theme song for your designs?: A theme song for my designs… perhaps Ladies of the Canyon by Joni Mitchell or maybe Stewed Bark of an Old Oak Tree by Devendra Banhart.
Do you plan what to wear each day around your jewelry?: I don’t plan what jewelry I wear with what clothes. I hardly plan what clothes I wear. I have a few staple pieces and I think they go with just about everything I wear because they are such a close representation and expression of who I am- my silver wedding band, a Turquoise ring my husband bought me from Mexican Town, two necklaces that I made- one with a wrapped piece of Agate and the other with a silver and Turquoise vintage owl pendant- a bamboo cuff bracelet with a carved butterfly, a Koa wood bracelet a friend brought back for me from Hawaii, and, oh, a love-ly cowrie shell necklace that I received in return from a trade with Barefoot Mama.
