Meet Alexa Seibert | Jewelry Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexa Seibert and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started From Isla in 2014 because I wanted to help save the ocean, I just didn’t have the means to do so. My thought was, if I made beautiful pieces, it would give me the opportunity to donate to an amazing cause, while also educating people on the importance of saving our seas!
The brand just evolved from there! I started out making wire wrapped bracelets, then I moved on to creating seashell necklaces strung on gold filled chains. I made that style of jewelry for a long time. When the pandemic hit, it gave me the chance to take a good, hard look at From Isla and decide what I wanted it to become.

I wanted to build From Isla into a fine jewelry brand with organic, ocean inspired designs, unique gemstones that are ethically sourced, and make it feel as though each piece was magic.

Building a brand, while also working a 9-5 fashion industry job, comes with its challenges (surprise, surprise). There came a time where I realized I needed to give From Isla my all if it was going to have the slightest chance of succeeding. I call this The Jumping Point. I left my secure 9-5 job with steady pay and benefits to pursue my passion. Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. It’s tough and there is a lot of self-doubt that sneaks in, but it is a path I knew I needed to take.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
-Please tell us more about your art: I create beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by the magic of the sea. Using an ancient process called Lost Wax Casting, I carve wax to create organic textures and silhouettes that give a subtle nod to the ocean. The wax pieces are then cast in solid 14k gold and brought to life with gemstones fit for a fairy queen. Most of my inspiration comes from marine life and fairytales, I love the combination of natural and ethereal. I want my designs to seem as if they were plucked out of a treasure chest or gifted to you by a fairy godmother.

-What you are most proud of or excited about:
Up until recently, I had been mostly self taught when it came to making jewelry. If I wanted to learn a new skill, I’d scour youtube or pinterest for tutorials. It was a lot of trial and error. I take pride in the fact that I’ve been able to get this far on my own! But there are some things that are far better learned from a professional, like stone setting.
I finally took a one week comprehensive stone setting class, which was the best decision I’ve made in a long time! Investing in myself and traveling to a jewelers school for a full week was something I never thought I would be able to do. I am so excited about everything I’ve learned and I can’t wait to see where my new skills will take From Isla!

-How did you get to where you are today professionally? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?:
I actually went to school for fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and specialized in Special Occasion…I really loved bridal! So I put in a lot of time in the fashion industry; I’ve done it all. From running around NYC as a wide-eyed intern (que the Devil Wears Prada), managing a bridal showroom on Abbot Kinney, all the way to designing swimwear, and that’s hardly scratching the surface.

But all of this experience was catered to clothing, I had barely any jewelry industry experience. When I took the leap from fashion to jewelry, I decided I wasn’t going to let that hold me back. Growing a brand in a saturated market is no joke, finding the right audience and struggling with self doubt are just some of the challenges I deal with everyday. My brand is in the early stages and I am still finding my footing, but I’ve been able to lean on my skills gained from the fashion industry to help me navigate the world of jewelry.

-What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?:
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to take breaks. This one is still hard for me. Maybe all the time I spent rushing to meet deadlines is now permanently ingrained in my brain, but I’ve learned the hard way that my mind and body cannot perform at its peak when I’m drained. So, taking little breaks throughout the day to stretch or walk around is crucial. Taking multiple days to reset is even more important. The designs I produce after a long weekend away in the mountains don’t even compare to the designs I did right before I left, that’s when I realized the importance of breaks.

Another lesson I think is super important is to trust yourself. It’s all too easy to let negative thoughts creep in when you run your own business. Learning to make a decision and trust that it is the right one has not been easy, but overthinking will only increase the self doubt and send my brain into a spiral. So, I’ve been practicing trusting myself and my instincts.

Honestly, I am still figuring this whole thing out and I could probably write a book on all of the lessons I’ve learned in the short year that I’ve been running From Isla full time. But, I think you never really stop learning and growing and it’s important to realize that everything takes time and you are right where you are supposed to be.

-What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?:
From Isla is more than just unique handmade fine jewelry. I want the world to see my pieces and feel a sense of wonder.

Do you remember the first time you ever saw a dolphin? Or the first time you watched a documentary about the ocean? Did you get goosebumps? Those feelings of awe and wonder are powerful, that’s what drives and inspires us. By harnessing those feelings and infusing them throughout my jewelry, I hope to create beautiful pieces that remind you of just how magical our oceans, and world, are.

I like to create jewelry that evokes emotion. To me, it’s more meaningful when you look down at your ring and are reminded of a beautiful memory.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite thing to do when friends come to town is a coastal hike and a beach picnic! I love the trails that wind through the Santa Monica mountains in Malibu, the views are stunning! So, I would start the day with a morning hike, then head to Malibu Kitchen for some sandwiches, and then drive up the road to El Matador Beach for a picnic!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe a huge thank you to my parents for their continued support and to my boyfriend for always encouraging me to just go for it!

Thank you to the incredible marine biologist, Sylvia Earle, for igniting my passion to save the ocean. The work she’s done to help marine life has been a big influence on my conservation efforts.

Website: https://www.fromisla.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/from_isla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromisla/