Meet Amanda Lockrow | Jewelry Designer & Metalsmith

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

Hi Amanda, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
I always come back to reminding myself that happiness is a skill. This quote from the Dalai Lama is one I come back to all the time when I think about what grows happiness in my own life and the lives of those around me moment to moment and then day to day. “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

We live in a world with so much collective and individual struggle, grief, depression and anxiety and it’s constantly bombarding us if we let it. But if we can find ways to feel good we can also do good. And that circle of interconnectedness makes continuing to work on our happiness skills feel even more valuable today.

It’s so important that we can find happiness in little moments every day. Four ways I build in happiness every day are through savoring, gratitude, hope and giving. Studies show that people who have created meaning in their lives are happier and more satisfied, so why wouldn’t we all want to develop these skills.

Every day I know I can find 3 things to be grateful for and by using this muscle every day I know I feel happier. Some of the concrete ways I build happiness in my life are through a connection to nature. I go on walks and hikes. I step outside and just feel the sun on my skin. I build in these moments of savoring and joy to every day. Being out on my paddleboard seeing the sea lions and dolphins by myself and with friends always makes me happy. Savoring a delicious bite of food or my morning cup of coffee always makes me happy. Sharing a meal with a friend and really being present with them will often give me a dose of hope and gratitude right when I need it. A moment of connection with a stranger that leads to a hug or a good laugh. Snowboarding down a mountain, traveling to a new place, my friend’s children sharing something they’re excited about or playing a game with me. And the list goes on and on.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m really excited about the new work I’ve been creating. Most of the designs are one of a kind or small batch runs and they’re designed to be talismans that really tell or story or hold a special meaning for the wearer. I don’t think any artist’s or creative business’ path is easy and the past few years threw even more challenges our way. But I’ve been a metalsmith for almost 20 years and still have a passion and drive to keep going so that helps. I also have an amazing community of artists and creatives to problem solve and bounce ideas around with. I’m not sure I have any lessons to share at this point besides the importance of having a strong connection to community and letting yourself get too isolated in your work.

In this moment I’m just proud to be a woman artist in the world who is able to support local artisans and businesses by keeping everything made locally and giving back to charities a believe in. I continue to evolve my work to have a smaller footprint and thinking about intent and impact when when we put something out in to the world. It’s so important that we think about where we are spending our money and the world we are creating with those choices.

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?
For food some of my favorites to take friends are: -Malibu Farm on a weekday the view can’t be beat and the food is always good. I like stopping here after a hike or before heading to the beach.
-Broad Street Oyster for a beer and a lobster roll. I like going after a good hike or you can do a little shopping in the area.
-Rasselbock in Mar Vista or Long Beach. It’s always great service and delicious German food.
-Fin Asian Tapas is great for dinner and happy hour and you can go to The Alley Bar after for a great cocktail.
-Little Tokyo for ramen or sushi
-Uzumaki for sushi in Culver City

Place to visit:
-The Getty is always one of my favorite places to take friends.
-Huntington Gardens to wander the gardens and have lunch
-SRF Meditation Gardens
-Paddleboarding – I always take friends that need to rent a board to Mother’s Beach and Pro Sup Shop
-For a hike in the Palisades or Malibu. I have a lot of favorites but would recommend using the All Trails app to find a great one if you’re visiting.
-Pause for a little recharge with either or a float or sauna

For drinks some of my favorites I would take them to:
-The Cinema Bar a great dive bar with live music
-Seventy7 for good music and friendly bartenders
-Firestone Brewery

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The Stay Gold Collective. Through Covid this group of jewelry designers brought together by Liz Kantner has been instrumental in keeping me going a with my business and offering support in marketing and business.

For a book recommendation one of my go to’s that I always recommend is the Book of Joy and it seems like a good one to include here.

Website: https://amandaklockrow.com

Instagram: @amandaklockrow

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv07tXc3KDUHnUL4NnfAdEA

Image Credits
Elina Lewis photography, Sharilyn Wells photography, Mike Kelley, Denise Van Photography