Meet Lisette Bez | Jewelry Designer & Goldsmith

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

Hi Lisette, how has your background shaped the person you are today?

As an adult, I am aware of how much my background has influenced my personal and artistic pursuits. I grew up in a multicultural home in a suburb of DC where my parents met. My mother was born and raised in Ecuador, and my father immigrated to the US from France. Both experienced language barriers and economic hardship but persevered to provide their children with a stable home. They worked hard and adapted to many new circumstances. These are traits that I am grateful to have inherited from them, especially in times of uncertainty and personal challenges.
I also recognize that my appreciation and dedication to crafting in traditional methods is also influenced by my father. He was a butcher who spent his free time fixing broken things at home. From small appliances to car repairs, my father tackled all kinds of manual projects. It wasn’t until recently that I found myself taking apart my jeweler’s rolling mill and realized how much he has influenced my artistic career.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My designs reflect my cultural ties to Ecuador. I love using vibrant colors, rustic textures, and I use centuries old approaches to goldsmithing I learned while studying goldsmithing there. Spending time in Ecuador as a child and again as an adult, I became aware of how much the philosophies of my ancestors have impacted how I create-to live in harmony with the energy of nature. While experiencing the cloud forests of Mindo, climbing ice capped volcanoes of the Andes, and disconnecting into the jungles of the Amazon, I felt so much love and a deep connection with nature. I feel that I carry that energy when I create jewelry and design nature inspired collections.

I also believe that as a creator I have a responsibility to make a positive impact. This means creating less waste and to live with an awareness of the impact of our choices on all life forms. I approach jewelry design and production from this nature conscious approach, and I design pieces that are reminders of our connection to nature. I also use recycled high-quality materials that can be repurposed, and I am a huge proponent of slow fashion.

How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

My career as a goldsmith and Jewelry Designer has not been a smooth ride but it was one of the best decisions that I’ve made. I always enjoyed creating art, whether it was making quilted bags or painting in acrylic, but I never fully immersed myself into learning a craft until I began making pieces in a workshop in Ecuador in 2015.

Prior to that, I was living in Northern Virginia with my partner of many years until he passed away suddenly due to a heart condition. I decided to return to Ecuador to process my grief and while there, my cousin encouraged me to attend a jewelry making workshop. After four months of taking classes, I returned to DC but I quickly realized that I had found something I was deeply passionate about. I took a huge risk and I decided to sell or donate most of my belongings to return to Ecuador to continue learning. For about a year, I spent every day working on all kinds of jewelry assignments and learned traditional methods of creating fine jewelry.

Coming back to the states felt like starting from scratch in so many ways. I balanced working at a coffee shop with building a business. I researched how to register my business, I began looking at local craft markets to try out and began identifying my brand’s purpose. I did a lot of self-reflection in that time and also kept pushing forward despite not knowing how to be an entrepreneur.

I overcame challenges by taking consistent steps to learn about entrepreneurship and talking to a mentor. My confidence grew once I realized that people felt connected to the pieces and wanted to purchase them. It was extremely motivating to see how happy people were wearing their new jewelry and I loved helping clients pick out a piece for a loved one. I eventually branched out and began offering custom pieces, repurposing of existing jewelry, and repairs. When I deliver pieces to my clients, I feel a lot of joy knowing that there is an energy of love in every piece.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are a lot of cool areas to scope out in DC and plenty of things to do in the surrounding areas. I recommend Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, especially in the month of July when the Lotus and Waterlily festival is happening. If you’re looking for great food options, Union Market is a great place to check out too. There’s food stalls and coffee bars, so you’ll definitely have lots to savor. For a foodie experience, the wharf is lined with themed restaurants and cafes.

I spend a lot of time on trails and parks, so I would head west towards the Shenandoah mountains. Stop over in Sperryville on your way to Mary’s Rock trail and order a latte and croissants from Before and After café. The town is small but it has historic buildings that have been revitalized into restaurants and shops. On the way back, I like to take friends who are visiting to farmers markets and produce stands that are along the highway during the summer months.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my shoutout to my first jewelry teacher, Maestro Zamora. I took up jewelry making in Ecuador in 2015 while I was healing from grief as a result of my partner’s passing. He saw my potential, encouraged me with life advice and guided me through some of my hardest days. At the time I was beginning to learn jewelrymaking and also in the early stages of grief, so it was a lonely and difficult period.

Website: www.metalandstone-creations.com

Instagram: @metal_and_stone_creations

Facebook: www.facebook.com/metalandstonecreations