I wasn't always obsessed with butterflies. My fascination with the delicate/mysterious creatures started around the time my blog began (which happened to be when I was recovering from a major illness and some personal tragedies.) In fact, I was touch and go for a long time, struggling with Guillain-barre' Syndrome, the subsequent IVIG treatments for recovery, the loss of a baby and the heartbreaking end to my marriage.
Back then, my fashion blog wasn't just about what to wear, it was about how to style and navigate life; focusing on the mind, body and spirit. That's when my butterflies came to me; more specifically, in my dreams. Matter-of-fact, for more than a month I had the same recurring dream of vomiting dozens and dozens of black butterflies. I actually wrote about it in one of my more popular blogs, "45 Days and Nights of Black Butterflies."
I can't lie, the dream scared the crap out of me as I thought it was about death, but after consulting a well-known dream specialist, she informed me that my black butterflies were actually a gift. Apparently, it was a sign of a very rare and powerful transformation. I took the dream in stride and hoped for the best, but then, something magical happened. I began that so-called TRANSFORMATION.
I didn't know it at the time, but all the "Pieces of Me" that had been ripped apart: my body (which was ravaged by illness,) my heart (which was torn apart from the grief of not being a mother anymore) and my soul (which was empty from the loss of my first true love,) all started the long, slow process/journey of healing. I became a totally different kind of person. A person I didn't really know anymore, but one I liked a lot better than the person I used to be.
As the months and years went by, I went through different phases of overt kindness, enhanced spirituality and a strong, sophisticated sense of self. I found deeper meaning in the little things I loved about life and relished, even savored, the bigger ones. I drew intense boundaries for my mental health and physical well-being and concentrated on building up my body again, while also learning to accept its limitations.
As I transformed, so did my circle of friends. The toxic ones melted away and the beautiful ones remained. I also fell in love. Real love. The kind that makes you realize what you felt before was only scratching the surface. I became better at my job, got a promotion and my blog naturally evolved into real story-telling about people, places and things that (fashionably) mattered.
Thankfully, my life and my blog weren't just about my own "Heartbreak Hotel" anymore because I had finally relinquished the keys, allowing myself the good fortune of checking-out. Soon after, I opened up to new experiences and discoveries, one of them being the creations of designer, Gina Black. They came to me by way of Jackie Kay (my good friend and stylist.)
Jackie and I were meeting to celebrate her birthday when she showed up pre-bash looking dashing, donning the most interesting piece of jewelry. I'll never forget the delicate/dainty butterfly wing encased in a long glass locket draped so effortlessly around her neck. Upon examining it, she explained: "Gina Black gifted this to me for my birthday."
Needless to say, I was mesmerized by it. (Mind you, I see a lot of jewelry and meet up with a lot of different designers, so the fact that I was spectacularly enthralled meant something.) The encased wing spoke to me, reflecting my own personal story. While it captured the beauty and fragility of life, its casing made it strong and durable. It was as if everything I had been through, all the complex "Pieces of Me" (loss, illness, healing and recovery) were pressed perfectly into that necklace. I had to own one. What's more, I had to meet the woman who made it.
For the record, Gina calls her jewelry "unique, artsy and fierce" and frankly, I couldn't agree more. For the blog, she sent me some amazingly unique and provocative pieces to photograph. Here's the list: "Jewel Beetle Wing Ring," "Wolf Claw and Quartz Ring," "Preserved Rose in a Glass Globe Pendant," "Rainbow Butterfly Wing Pendant," "Porcupine Quill Pendant" and my absolute favorite, a colorful "Muskrat Skull Pendant."
After shooting the pictures (which I really wanted to have an interesting edge, because it's not everyday a fashionista falls in love with a "Muskrat Skull Pendant,") I finally met the woman behind this intriguing line at the Sagamore Hotel on South Beach (which made perfect sense, interviewing a highly artistic jewelry designer at what's known as Miami's "art hotel.")
Gina was just as I thought she'd be in person: interesting, intelligent and different. Her fashion vibe is goth-meets-alternative with a feminine flair (just like her jewelry.) She easily shares what inspires her, which is more specifically, nature. I was also surprised to find her jewelry is somewhat of a new venture, as she already seems to have the hang of it.
Gina started pursuing her new found passion just last year after growing tired of drawing redundant shapes for various art projects. While she easily settles into her new role as a jewelry designer, she's scoring her first blog and television interview with "Shireen's Favorite Things." I feel so honored because I consider her "Butterfly Pendant" a beautiful badge of honor; reminding me of the fleeting nature of life, its beauty and the strength one gains by living to their fullest potential, no matter what hardships life brings you.
Shireen Sandoval: What is the concept of your jewelry line?
Gina Black: The concept came from a recent study of abstract art. Abstract shapes were challenging my creativity so I decided to research items from nature for inspiration. I looked at the shapes inside the butterfly's wings, the geometric angles of a crystal formation, and dried flowers. I experimented with a few jewelry pieces for myself which soon lead to friends/family asking where they could buy one. Thus, the jewelry line was born.
Shireen Sandoval: When did you begin designing jewelry?
Gina Black: The jewelry designing venture has been in the works since August of 2014. I did my first jewelry show in October 2014.
SS: Your pieces are interesting and provocative. What is the most unusual piece you've ever created?
GB: That's a tough one! I would have to say my porcupine quill pendants. They always attract attention. They are simple and beautiful. A true homage to Mother Nature.
SS: On a typical day, what kind of jewelry could I find you wearing?
GB: I love to layer! I tend to wear 4-10 beaded bracelets, geode crystal stud earrings, and usually a long pendant made from flowers or bones, depending on my mood.
SS: What is the one statement piece from your line every South Florida fashionista should own?
GB: One of my "Butterfly Lockets." They're the perfect amount of flare to spruce up an office look, the best complement to that little black dress on Friday night, and the sweetest finishing touch to your Sunday brunch maxi dress.
SS: Where do you procure the items you create your jewelry around?
GB: I strive to gather the best quality cruelty-free materials that I can find. I source many of my jewelry supplies from cruelty-free farms and sanctuaries around the world. Many times insects or animals expire (naturally) and these wings/parts are sold as taxidermy materials for crafts. Also, after friends/customers have seen my jewels, many people started gifting me butterfly wings they had found in their gardens.
SS: Tell me about the three main jewelry pieces we photographed for the blog.
GB: "The Ombre Muskrat Skull" necklace is by far one of the coolest pieces in my collection. It is really made with the brave fashionista in mind who is not afraid to add a little fierceness to her wardrobe. "The Rose" necklace is one of my favorites for its romantic vibe. It is treated and vacuum packed inside its glass globe to ensure freshness. It is minimalistic and striking at the same time. My personal favorite ring is "The Wolf Claw and Quartz Cluster" ring. It has so much attitude and simply demands attention. Perfect for the sassy ladies! "The Jewel-Beetle Wing" ring is one of my pieces that truly displays the complexity of Mother Nature's beauty. The wings are clustered together to create a bloom-like shape that showcases the natural iridescence of the insect. You can see blues, purples, greens, and oranges throughout the wings.
SS: If you could drape your jewels on one celebrity who would it be and why?
GB: Megan Fox. She has the dark/sexy/sultry thing on lock! I think just about any of my pieces would align with and compliment her rock-star style.
SS: What's the one piece of jewelry (from your line) you're always wearing?
GB: I made a few wire wrapped necklaces recently that feature rough crystals and drilled wolves' teeth. I wear one daily made from Rainbow Quartz and one tooth. I know it sounds crazy, but I make it work with all my outfits. Whether I am in t-shirt and tights, mode or glam-mode, I am rocking it!
Website: Etsy.com/shop/ginablackart
Twitter: @GinaBlackArt
Instagram: @GinaBlack_art
A special thanks to the Sagamore Hotel
www.SagamoreHotel.com
Twitter: @sagamorehotel
IG: @sagamorehotel
Twitter: @ShireenSandoval
IG: @ShireenSandoval
ssandoval@wsvn.com
www.shireensandoval.com
Photographer: James Woodley
Twitter: @BritFloridian
IG: @BritFloridian
www.James-Woodley.com
Hair & Make-up: Odette Hernandez
Twitter: @Odettehernandz
IG: Odett_herndz
Styling/Co-Producer/Assist: Jackie Kay
blog ideas: Jackiekay211@yahoo.com
Intern/Assist: Nick Martinez
Editor: Matthew Auerbach
MattAuerbach@yahoo.com