Today we’d like to introduce you to Blu Baker.
Hi Blu, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was diagnosed with severe anxiety in 2018. After doing some research, I found that beading was something that would encourage mindfulness and reduce stress and anxiety. So I started making beaded bracelets with string. I started out with seed beads and from there I found crystal beads. I fell in love!
The peace I found while working with crystals is indescribable.
So I continued life on this path, selling my work at different events until one day…
I got into a really bad car accident on my way to an event. I was rear ended… Life as I knew it completely changed for me.
See, just before the accident, I quit my job at the hospital and bought an RV. My intention was to travel the U.S. and make a living off of my creations. (Which is why my company is called Blues Traveling Jewels by the way).
But there was another plan in store for me…
I found myself at the lowest point in my life, I had no job, no money, no food, no family and no car to make it to any of the events I previously booked. I had no means of survival and at that point no more options… I couldn’t understand what was happening…
So one day out of frustration I took apart every single bracelet I ever made. I bagged up all the beads and set out on a mission to teach myself the wire-wrapping technique. I have always been a person good at fixing things so using tools to create something was not a foreign thing for me.
After months of practice and posting my new creations on social media, I received a message that Orlando Weekly wanted to feature my jewelry photographed by Tyla Harrington on their MONEY MONDAY segment. I was in shock!
Shortly afterward, I recieved another invitation to have my jewelry featured in EMBRACE BEAUTY MAGAZINE by Laylonna Hurley which led to yet another feature in ELLEMENTS magazine in New York City, my hometown… All of this was happening while I was dying inside not knowing where my next meal was going to come from…
Present day, I learned alot from this experience… I can tell you I no longer have bad days, I have days that are more challenging than others because I’ve already been through my worst…
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, some of my biggest challenges as I grow, and become a brand at high demand, is having to do everything with no help. Creating, Customer Service, Booking Events, Filling Orders in a timely matter, Keeping up with the latest styles Shipping, attending events, setting up, etc… All of it can be challenging but worth it!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a Jewelry Designer, I handcraft jewelry pieces that promote healing and peace of mind that can be the focal point of your ensemble, or an eye-catching supplement.
I specialize in the intricate wire wrapping technique and I’m known for my work with healing crystals.
I am most proud my journey and everything I have overcome to get to where I am today, and my hard work and dedication in serving my community.
What sets me apart from others is that I create my pieces out of love and with nothing but the best intention for the wearer. If you catch me at any of my events you will only see one of everything on my table, because I know I made it for someone in need of healing…
Any big plans?
My plans for the future are to be featured in more magazines, a whole new photoshoot with my jewelry line, offering classes in wire wrapping and working with THE QUEENS COLLECTIVE, a group of 16 BIPOC owned, women owned small businesses on different levels of entrepreneurship. This is an organization I founded in 2021. Which started out as a few vendors for a monthly pop up shop and is now a sisterhood of small businesses, with unique products that does different events together as well as supports each other in each business as well as educates other QUEENS on business matters and ownership.
Contact Info:
- Email: bluestravelingjewels@gmail.com
- Website: bluestravelingjewels.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/bluestravelingjewels
Image Credits
Tyla Harrington
