Meet Tara Feld | Jewelry Designer

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

Hi Tara, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my business because creating jewelry brings me pure joy—both in the process of designing and in seeing others light up when they wear my pieces. I love getting lost in the details, working with beautiful materials, and shaping them into something special. There’s something magical about transforming raw elements into wearable art, and even more so when that art resonates with someone personally. My jewelry is my way of sharing that joy, connecting with others, and making the world a little more beautiful—one piece at a time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Several key habits have helped me succeed as a jewelry designer. I make space for inspiration by visiting art galleries, flea markets, gardens and plant nurseries, and traveling—experiences that fuel my creativity and keep my designs fresh. I maintain consistency in my craft by dedicating time each day to designing, refining, and experimenting with materials. Staying organized is also essential; I have structured systems for inventory and materials, such as categorizing my bead collection by type and color. I prioritize learning by taking workshops and researching new techniques, which helps me continually refine my skills. Most importantly, I trust my artistic vision and stay committed to using high-quality materials, even when sourcing them takes extra time and effort. These habits not only support my creative process but also allow me to create jewelry that is both meaningful and beautifully crafted.

What are you inspired by?
I draw inspiration from many aspects of life—nature, culture, fashion, and the materials I work with. Beads, in particular, hold a special place in my heart. I’m constantly inspired by the incredible variety of beads I collect, each one with its own unique story, texture, and color. Vintage and custom jewelry also inspire me, and I’m drawn to the timelessness and craftsmanship of pieces from different eras. I also find inspiration in the vibrant Los Angeles community I’m part of. Artists, models, photographers, designers, film makers, writers and musicians— the city’s diverse creative scene—feeds my imagination and pushes me to constantly evolve my designs. Travel has also played a huge role in shaping my aesthetic. Whether it’s exploring new cultures or simply admiring nature’s palette, I’m always searching for inspiration to incorporate into my work. Ultimately, my design philosophy is centered around creating pieces that celebrate the inherent beauty of materials, whether through clean lines, organic textures, or rich, culturally diverse elements.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
I pursued an artistic career because it felt like a natural extension of who I am. Growing up, I was surrounded by creativity; my mother was an artist and my father was a woodworker, sister was a skilled designer/ calligrapher, so I was exposed to art, design, and craftsmanship from a young age. The creative environment I was raised in allowed me to explore my passion for design freely. I was also heavily influenced by the beauty of L.A.— its rich culture and its diversity, which sparked my interest in combining different artistic traditions, especially beadwork, into something modern and accessible. Jewelry-making, in particular, resonated with me because it allowed me to combine my love for fine art with my fascination for craftsmanship. I believe that creativity is a lifelong journey of exploration, and pursuing a career in the arts allows me to continuously grow, connect with others, and share my unique perspective.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for my business developed from a lifelong passion for collecting beads and creating jewelry. My fascination with beautiful materials and the craftsmanship of indigenous beadwork from around the world inspired me to start designing my own unique pieces. The turning point came when I began gifting jewelry to loved ones, and I was consistently met with admiration and curiosity about where my designs came from. The encouragement I received, paired with my desire to share my creations with a wider audience, led me to open my online store and launch my brand. It’s been an organic evolution, driven by my love for materials and my desire to craft something meaningful that others could enjoy.

What’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The most important lesson my business has taught me is the immense value of persistence and adaptability. Running a jewelry design business has shown me that success doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a series of small steps, challenges, and breakthroughs. There’s always something to learn, whether it’s through customer feedback, refining my craft, or evolving my design process. This journey has taught me the importance of staying committed to my passion, remaining true to my artistic vision and the power of kindness and community—my small business wouldn’t have thrived without the support of my family, friends, colleagues, and loyal customers. Their encouragement and feedback have been wonderful, valued and integral in shaping the growth of TARA FELD DESIGN.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?
Being Tara, and having autonomy on my time and space to flow and create has been the most important factor behind the success of my brand. I’ve always believed that jewelry is not just an accessory but a personal expression of one’s style and identity. By staying true to my artistic vision, having grit to see it through and utilizing raw natural materials that inspire me has been the cornerstone of my jewelry design work. I’ve been able to create a brand that represents my aesthetic, innovations and detailed handmade jewelry with people on a deeper level. Whether it’s through my curated bead collections or my commitment to handmade craftsmanship, my success has been a direct result of staying connected to my core values and passions.

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?
Here’s a big Shoutout LA Love to few of my favorite Los Angeles, CA destinations:

Antiques:
Mart Collective on Lincoln Blvd in Venice, drop in anytime Monday-Sunday, https://themartcollective.com
Santa Monica Airport Flea Market on the 1st and 4th Sundays of the month, https://www.santamonicaairportantiquemarket.com
The Rose Bowl https://www.rgcshows.com/rose-bowl
Urban Americana https://urbanamericana.com

Culture:
Craft Contemporary https://www.craftcontemporary.org
Hammer Museum https://hammer.ucla.edu
Music at the Hammer/ Summer Nights Summer soul events upcoming https://hammer.ucla.edu/summer-soul
The Hollywood Bowl https://www.hollywoodbowl.com live music and picnic
The Huntington Gardens https://huntington.org/botanical-gardens

Food:
Tomat LA www.tomat.la Family style farm to table dining, incredible experience and memorable community connection.
Food LA food-la.com – a gem of a local cafe that serves seasonal, healthy and delicious foods with seasonal ingredients.Thank you Judy!
The Apple Pan theapplepan.com: hickory burger, fries, and a slice of pie: pecan and or coconut cream yum! Love to Hector Morales and the AP team!
Ban Ban Burger banbanburger.com: Thai Burgers: Graw Pow Smash Burger or Waygu Laab Smash burger with shoestring fries and a Thai tea or Coconut shake.
Tuk Tuk Thai tuktukthailosangeles.com: The whole menu is fabulous, great food and vibe
Ostertia La Buca osterialabuca.com: bucatini carbonara, pappardelle bolognese, Pizza Guanciale or The Classic
Echigo https://echigosushi.com Omakase Sushi, Blue Crab Roll, Cucumber Sunmomo, Phenomenal Experience
Tenatori tenkatoriwla.com Karaage with dipping Yuzu Aioli or Spicy Mayo Sauce, Bentos and Bowls
Monte Alban Restaurant montealbanrestaurant.com: Oaxacan cuisine and mescal cocktails
Mariscos Guillen La Playita https://mariscosguillenlaplayita.com Ceviche cups, coctteles – cocktails: Camaron (Shrimp), Pulpo (Octopus), Abulon (Abalone), Campechana (Mix Sea Food)
Tacos Por Favor https://www.tacosporfavor.us
Taco Tu Madre https://www.tumadre.com
Cali Tandoor calitandoor.square.site: Veg. or Keema Samosa’s, Chicken Tikka, Lamb Biryani Alloo Gobi, Raita, Paapadam, Garlic Naan
Al Watan Halal Tandoori Restaurant www.alwatanrestaurant.com: Beef Aloo Qeema Mattar, Daal Channa, Rice, Salad, whole menu is fabulous
Support local family owned and operated restaurants like John O’Groats, Snug Harbor, Bru’s Wiffle, Cafe Belen, Rae’s Restaurant, Marty’s Hamburger Stand, and NYBD Bagel Deli & Bakery and Dim Sum House for delicious breakfast or lunch, kind customer service and community love.

Community:
Yamaguchi Nursery https://yamaguchinursery.com Best Nursery, incredible plants, Japanese herbs, bonsai nursery, workshops and care
Gifted LA https://giftedla.com Gift big. Shop small.
The Book jewel https://thebookjewel.com independent book store, pop-up and author events
The Gourmandise School https://thegourmandiseschool.com Cooking and baking classes
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Park https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22790

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
TARA FELD DESIGN | JEWELRY’ s Shoutout LA dedications:

Special Thanks to: Divine Dawson – DivineWear Intl @divinewearintl and team, Perry White @perrywhite.la, TJ Walker @crosscoloursla, and Seven Nazzer @thepurpledoorstorela @sevennazzer and family for the collective encouragement and warm welcome to the LA Fashion community. Thank you to all of the artisans worldwide and beading and finding vendors for your many contributions to my creative journey.

Thank you to all my family and friends for inspiring me to pursue my art & design dreams.
Diana Feld-Lipnick www.feldstudios.com, Amanda, Jonathan, Maya & Theo Klein, and extended family. Athena Gam, Eric Lake @lake_artstudio and Itzquautli, Bianca Koenig @bekcollective, Joe and family, Kathryn, Ken and Ella Girardi/ Eisenhower Family, Carol & Steve Porter, Lorraine & Fabrizio Bonanni, Aviva, Jeff Pierce, Debra and Edward Gordon, Sarah Watkins, Sha/ artist name Bahar Shah and Paris, Crystal, Jordan and family, Allie Deeps @alliedeeps, Asher, Speedy Alexis, Amanda and family, Mario, Deidra, Valerie Shaffer and P., Marc and D./H., Mia, Jonah and Rose Blumstein, Celia Luna-Gonzales and Family, JR-Riley Minor, Phoebe Parros, Zorine and Dash, Masami and Kana Kawai, Daniel Steinhart and Yuna, Marianne Yamaguchi, Mitchiko, Nathan Waldon of Nathan & Co. @nathanandco, Denise and the Tuesday Night Life Drawing community. Merci!

SHOP
Gifted | Los Angeles: Jill Cooper-Lefferman and family, and entire team @gifted.la
*Now Available – Private Jewelry Workshops Gift Certificates
The Book Jewel | In The Heart of Westchester: Karen Dial, Sean Moor and team @thebookjewel
TARA FELD DESIGN | JEWELRY @tarafelddesign https://tarafelddesign.etsy.com

Website: https://tarafelddesign.etsy.com

Instagram: @tarafelddesign.com

Image Credits
Credits:
Event Hosted By: Los Angeles Fashion Week – LAFW ‘24 EFDI @embassyoffashiondesigners
Jewelry Design: TARA FELD DESIGN | JEWELRY @tarafelddesign https://tarafelddesign.etsy.com
Fashion Design: Divine Dawson DivineWear Intl @divinewearintl
Model Coach: Lancelot Dawkins @lancelotdawkins
Models: Tina Glaze @tina_glaze, Trent Baldeo @trent_baldeo, Wynter Alana @wynterspringfall, David Rucker @Davicii6, Luke Stoddard @Irsii, Leisha Forman | Lay’lay @laystylesu @bze__bar, Queen Skia @queensika1, Natasha K. @natashaka_art, Patience Taylor @_patienxe, Arlondriah Lenyéa @lonnielenyea, Cina @cina, Paije Johnson | That Girl Jayy @shadedjayy, Natasha K. @natashaka_art, Christopher Ruiz @christopher.ruissr, Kyrstian Alexander @kryssnextdoor and team
Hair Stylist: Leisha Forman | Lay’lay @laystylesu @bze__bar and team
MUA by – Linda Arecchia @lyndababyyyy and Bárbara Danielle @barbaradanielle.art and team
Coordination: Terry Evans and team
Music: dj ain’t incredible, Lecurr Josey @lecurr.josey
Photography: Donna Wilson @donnawilsonphotography and Tara Feld @tarafelddesign and team
Studio Hosted By: Perry White @perrywhite.la
Writer: Athena Gam @intentionalvideo