Meet Lihi Orbach Forney | Jewelry Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lihi Orbach Forney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lihi, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I officially launched my business in February 2021, but the development started in 2019 from a deep desire to create more meaning in my life. I worked in a completely different field for over 20 years – post production sound mixer – and felt that i wanted to express more of who i was becoming. I’ve always been fascinated with meaning, self development and reflection. I love aesthetics and design too and i have a very specific eye 
A friend opened my mind to Jewelry and everything changed from there.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a Jewelry Designer. Each piece i design has a meaning and purpose. The meanings are inspired by Mysticism, Symbolism,  Nature & my Jewish roots.
I like to call it ‘Self Care’ Bling .I want my jewelry to spark internal reflection.Life is messy and complex and my hope is that my pieces serve as a tool in people’s tool kit to help them get where they want to go.

I had no jewelry experience before this. I had the help from people in the business to guide me and my inner truth and belief in my designs and what they represent. There was and still is a lot of trial and error. These things take time and patience, something i am constantly working on 

Being in a field you know nothing about can be very challenging, learning all the technical aspects of making jewelry, what you can and can’t do is knowledge that is ever growing.
Being a small business owner means i do it all myself – being in charge of the production, marketing, photography, advertising, developing new collections, packaging etc. It can get overwhelming. I find that getting support from my fellow women business owners is a hugh help and having a place to vent and share resources make all the difference.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow ! Los Angeles has so much to offer and it’s so diverse !! Each area is so distinct that it really feels like you’re in different cities. I would do a few different areas:
1. DownTown Arts district – go see what’s going on at the Broad Museum, check out Hauser & Wirth and just walk around the area. Little Tokyo is right next door for some Sushi/ Ramen @ Sushi Gen and a drink later @ FAR Bar.
2. I love frogtown, especially walking along the LA river when they have their Art Walk. Zebulon is a great place to hear live music right in the neighbourhood.
3. The beach is my happy place so i would recommend going to Venice Beach for that beach vibe. The venice canals are beautiful to walk around and then do dinner at Gjelina on Abbot Kinney.
4. Hollywood – start with a hike at Runyon Canyon, maybe cool down with a rooftop lunch at Mama Shelter & Go explore some vinyl and music posters at Mr Music Head and Amoeba Records.
5. A Korean scrub massage is a must experience in my opinion. Olympic or Wi spa are my favorites.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My fellow girlfriends that are also small business owners were very helpful and encouraging in giving advice, helping however they can and being a sounding board for all the ups and downs along the way. Having a community of women around you is so important and uplifting. My friend Brooke Rodd has 3 stores in Santa Monica and was very supportive and helpful in getting my pieces in her store and helping my brand grow.

Website: loveleeor.com

Instagram: loveleeor

Facebook: loveleeor

Image Credits
jeff forney