ccbc's artist interview series with ZULA

The CCBC’s Artist Interview Series is published on the 15th of each month. Our intention is to connect readers with the incredible artists in our space, consider craft through the lens of an artist, and encourage people in their own journey with craft.

 

ZULA is an art jeweller and activator who combines organic casting with precious metals, stones, and acrylic. Her pieces and activations are designed to deepen your connection to the Earth, the Cosmos, and your truest Self. 

Born in Warsaw, Poland, ZULA currently resides on the unceded Coast Salish Territory known as Vancouver, BC, Canada.

 

Could you tell us briefly what you make? 

I design and make nature inspired jewelry in silver, copper, bronze and gold. I create jewelry directly using branches, roots and leaves from nature by casting them in precious metal, adding the magic of gemstones and benevolent galactic rays; I create jewelry as reminders of our connection to Nature and the Cosmic wisdom that we hold within us.

 

What inspired you to make your pieces, or how, conceptually, did your work come to be?

I am an intuitive jeweller, building a bridge of reverent connection between humans, Nature and the Cosmos. I am a person who has a deep love of nature and acknowledges the healing power of the natural and cosmic worlds.

I make art jewelry that encapsulates archetypal stories with each collection I create. I'm inspired by deep questions within myself, beauty, the forms in Nature, and the Wisdom and teachings that everything around us holds. I'm very interested in creating worlds and realms wherein which my jewelry resides, where it's worn on a certain character, a certain world that I've created, like my Ancient Future collection.

I make jewelry because I love beauty. I love creating with my hands, and I like to hang out in small realms. When I work, I feel like I'm sitting in a bubble, in a small little world, a realm within which I'm creating. Things get very microscopic and small. This is where I like to hang out. I find myself even going on nature walks and discovering the forest within the moss or the architecture within patches of grass or lichen.

Ultimately, I love exploring the inner realms of Wonder within myself, and the magical little worlds that can be held in the hand.

 

Why do you make craft?

I make jewelry because the Universe has guided me to do so. It has brought things into my life, and has knocked things out of my life, all guiding me into jewelry. One of my first jobs was working in a bead store, where I learned many foundational skills in putting jewelry together.

Jewelry making encapsulates so many of the things I value: beauty, adornment, mathematics, creation, technical ability and the constant use of my hands.

Jewelry making has given me the ability to have a conversation with the materials that I work with; allowing me to create friendships with minerals, nature, and my tools. Creating in the 3D physical realm. The ability to research historical context, symbology and artifacts. The ability to spend long amounts of time alone and the ability to shine with my creations in the public eye.

 

Has your work evolved over time, if so, what has that looked like?

My work is diverse and looks very different depending on the materials I work with and the collection/idea I’m exploring.  The through-line in my work is about discovering and

keeping in reverence of the places of exploration within. The places of learning, of humbling, of loving, of learning how to protect ourselves. Ultimately, it's all about being a better human so we can be better for the people around us, ourselves, and because of this, take care of the Earth.

I explore pieces that would be called costume jewelry using acrylic, create sculptures that incorporate the body, everyday silver jewelry, wedding bands and engagement rings in silver and gold, all the way to fine jewelry made of gold, diamonds and gemstones.

 

Are there ideas, values, beliefs, or concepts that your work communicates? Could you tell us a bit more about that? 

As a seeker and as a person that's trying to be a better person in the world, my work invites the wearer to do the same, to take a moment to adorn themselves in a ritualistic way.  They’re invited as they put on their jewelry into a sort of meditation or remembrance of the qualities represented by that jewelry.

For example, if you're putting on a piece of jewelry from the ROOT collection, you're invited to think of grounding. So perhaps when you're putting on your earrings with the root as you're adorning yourself, you're thinking of being grounded, of letting roots grow out of the bottoms of your feet or grow a long tail out beyond your tail bone, deep into the Earth, connecting with the centre of the Earth, giving you a firm sense of connectedness to this planet and the support it can have for you. With that energy, you can walk into your day grounded and supported.

All my work invites the wearer to spend some time in their imagination, to connect to the wisdom of the piece that they’re wearing, connecting to the deep knowingness that they have within themselves, and having this jewelry helping them articulate those qualities within themselves.

        

What would you say to emerging or young craft artists?

My advice for young craft artists is to explore your own interests and realms. Don't get caught up in trends and spend time working on your craft without having too many long breaks, just keep working your craft. On the side, study marketing so you can get your work out into the world and be seen if that’s what you wish for yourself. 

 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I particularly love working on custom pieces for others. I love listening to people’s stories of their own monumental moments; their milestones, their moments of “Aha!”, and personal symbologies. While listening to these personal moments; I have images that come to me,

 

 

ZULA  
website | instagram | ccbc

images in order of appearance:

• ZULA
• Spring Leaf Necklace, ZULA Jewelry + Design
• Cedar and Diamond Dew Drop Earrings, 2023 Earring Show, ZULA Jewelry + Design 
• Custom Piece, ZULA
• Universe Ring, ZULA Jewelry + Design