Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Wangia.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Just before I moved abroad I made a necklace here in Saint Louis at a bead shop called, “Zuma Beads.” I have always loved the arts and especially the editorial side of fashion. The styling of the clothes and accessories…the location, the model; the overall dance that happens in front and behind the camera. All of it excites me! I started collecting Elle & Vogue magazines before I started modeling. Whenever I would go to my agency in the Central West End there was a newspaper shop called, Planet News and it was there that I would stand and absorb all the cool editorial spreads in various international magazines. French Glamour was my absolute favorite! Just a few months before I moved to London, I made a very simple leather strand necklace at Zuma Beads. It was there that you could pick your beads and make a necklace on the spot. I incorporated ox-bone beads, two batik tusk shaped beads and some geometrically shaped Lapis Lazuli beads knotted the leather and viola! As I traveled the world I received numerous compliments along the way….I knew I was on to something. While living in London, I was lucky enough to work with a jewelry designer there who had a shop and it was there that I learned about all of the stones from all over the world. That lead to a apprenticeship where I honed more into design and the tools and trade of jewelry making, running a shop, sourcing and customer service. After five years of traveling and living abroad…collecting nuggets along the way, I moved back to St. Louis and started my own brand, Beltshazzar Jewels.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There were challenges as with all endeavors in life but as long as you keep pushing even when the going gets tough we keep our head up! I need to say that because it matters and lately business for the first time really ever it has been a struggle to find ways to pivot. Whether its the economy, the pandemic or raising kids while running a small business during these times…there definitely has been and continues to be obstacles but the show must go on…isn’t that what they say? Yeah, so just finding ways to stretch in this economy keeps us guessing and pressing on! It’s all part of our story and the bigger picture!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I make jewelry for the modern day rockstar who takes the adventures of life by the horns! My work comes from a need for expression and finding life along the way while traveling. My jewelry is a testament of that adventurous spirit we all aim to possess and that’s what really gets my creative juices flowing. I love collecting treasures along the way and making them into new pieces of wearable art. Reworking vintage hardware into timeless heirlooms for years to come! The more rare and special a specimen is the more I gravitate towards it. The hunt is almost as fun as creating something new from the old collectibles I’ve found. When I hold something that had hold life and a past, my mind almost immediately comes up with new ideas and this is all part of my creative process. How do I make something even better than before! That’s the whole entire process and the absolute fun of it all! It’s an exciting journey and that’s why my tagline is, “Adornments For The Voyage!”
I am most proud of being able to turn my love for vintage, the sustainable aspect of using vintage and my love for fashion into this amazing brand of mine!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my earliest memories when I was about six years old going through my mom’s jewelry box during the 1970’s. She had several Native American pieces and large statement rings from that era….I remember being in awe and saying out loud, “WHEN I GROW UP I AM GOING TO MAKE JEWELRY LIKE THIS BUT IN GOLD!” I never really gave it much thought all throughout my life and not even when I worked with the jewelry designer in London. It wasn’t until I had my jewelry brand and was doing an interview similar to this when the memory popped in my head and it was so clear to me that it made me smile. From that day on, I never forgot it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beltshazzarjewels.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beltshazzarjewels
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeltshazzarJewels/
- Twitter: https://x.com/BeltshazzarJwls
- Other: https://www.1stdibs.com/dealers/beltshazzar-jewels/?search=beltshazzar%20jewels
