Meet Sophia Rivera | Metal Smith and Wire Wrapping Jewelry Artist

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

Hi Sophia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
At the beginning of 2020 I was living with my best friend, Julianna, the other co-founder of Piezas Únicas. Together we took a metal smithing jewelry class on our college campus as our effort to find a creative outlet. Within the three months of taking this class, I fell completely in love with metal fabrication. I spent many days and nights creating my first ever collection and finding my artistic voice. At first, this little side project was the perfect way to make my friends and family gifts as well as create school projects. Once the pandemic was in full swing and we were restricted to the confines of our own home, Julie and I craved a way to continue this craft that was had dedicated ourselves to. I made it my mission to assemble my very own smithing studio in our garage, while Julie found herself pursuing other mediums such as resin art and painting. We sat down one day and thought, why don’t we make this our full-time gig? There we created Piezas Únicas, or unique pieces, our very own, one of a kind adornment and visual art business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Before ever finding myself as an artist in the industry, I began working at a small local jewelry store in San Luis Obispo. I never knew that this part time job would lead me to gain much needed knowledge for my future and the business. Within a year of working at the store I was promoted to manager at the ripe age of 20. At the time, I genuinely did not know that I was capable of such a position especially while still being a full time student. Once I realized that I wanted to pursue artistry in the jewelry world, I became very dedicated to my job, doing my very best to get this small business through the pandemic. This position prepared me for future way more than I could have ever expected. I ended up leaving this position due to harassment from the owner, plunging myself into the business to keep my mind clear. After a few months and graduating college I was finally able to come to terms with what had happened and convinced myself that there was better in the industry for me. I move to Los Angeles and was able to score a position at an amazing LGTBQ, POC owned small fine jewelry business. In the last year and a half I was once again promoted to supervisor and have gained even more vital knowledge about my craft. I value being able to surround myself by what I love in and out of the job.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am very big on sustainable fashion, I love to thrift and shop second hand, just like my friends! I would have to take them to the Silverlake Flea Market and Los Feliz Flea on the weekends. Some weekday second hand shopping would take place at my favorite local boutiques in Little Ethiopia, Out of the Closets (an LA staple benefitting those with HIV/AIDS), Retro Row in Long Beach, and maybe a stop at an estate sale. I am a SoCal dude at heart, the beach is my favorite! This week would definitely include a trip to Santa Monica with a stop at one of my favorite low-key spots, Lobster and Beer, for a perfect lobster roll. Along with the outdoorsy theme, I would definitely take them on a bike ride at the Hollywood Reservoir, one of my top trails, or a roller skate date at Plummer Park. I live very close to West Hollywood, the perfect spot for all of my LGBTQ friends and I. Tacos Tu Madre is a must when my friends are in town, as well as a stop at my favorite bars, Roger Room and TomTom. While in the area, a stop at LACMA is a must, too bad the Alexander McQueen exhibit ends tomorrow! I am a huge concert goer, a show at the Wiltern, El Rey, the Belasco, etc. would be the ideal perfect end to a weekend! I am also a huge fan of the theatre so a play at either the Dolby Theatre or Pantages Theatre would be a great addition. Lastly, I would like to add in a stop downtown for a night out at another favorite bar Lilly Rose, or a warehouse rave.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Something very important to Julianna and I is recognizing the role the people in our lives have played in the success of the business. We are both very grateful to our families for constantly supporting our dreams. We also owe a lot to our close friends, Abi, Cristian, and Dani for being there every step of the way. Before we moved away from our college town we had the amazing opportunity to be able to host a number of local craft sales and events where we promoted local artistry and small businesses. Our friends were a huge part of making these events happen, as well as the amazing queer community we had the pleasure of working with in San Luis Obispo. We both have been very lucky with extremely supportive partners, a huge thank you to Lorenzo and Harry for always believing in us. Lastly, someone who was there at the very beginning of this journey, Mari, our first ever smithing instructor, we wouldn’t be here without her.

Website: artbysophxjulz.com

Instagram: artbysophxjulz

Image Credits
Jo Anna Edmison Yaz Reve