Today we’d like to introduce you to Charmaine Vegas.
Hi Charmaine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Charmaine Vegas and I am a studio jeweler making jewelry under the name Bless the Theory. My current work speaks to our human experience, with a focus around imperfections and flaws.
I found Jewelry and Metalsmithing in my early 20’s while studying Fashion Merchandising at Long Beach City College. I had the great fortune of studying under Kristen Beeler, whom is the director of the metals department today – she is a phenomenal and regarded artist and professor.
Bless the Theory studio was started in 2014 after deciding that I was ready to move on from my career as a Fashion Merchandiser and Stylist.
Since starting then, I have done shows, collaborated with other artists and creatives and have had wonderful features of my work and myself in online and print publications. Most importantly, I have become part of a great and growing community of jewelers and artists in Long Beach and Los Angeles, which has allowed me to share my knowledge with students and jewelry/metalwork enthusiasts!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every vocation has its struggles. My current struggle is navigating my new life as a mother and an artist.
After giving birth to my son Miles in October of 2020, I took time off from my studio practice to focus on being a mother. I initially planned to take a few months – three to be exact. Who was I kidding? Three months turned into six and six months turned into a year.
While being at home connecting and caring for my son and trying to find balance on my new “mommy legs”, I found myself wondering “how (and when) am I going to get back to my creative life”? I knew I wanted Miles to grow-up watching (and helping) his mommy work in her studio – I knew I wanted him to become familiar seeing creativity in action. Alas, there I was barely having time to take a shower, let alone sit in my studio tinkering away on new ideas.
Now that Miles is almost walking and becoming independent, I am finding little pockets of time to sit at my bench to start new work.
My practice looks much different; currently while watching my son explore and “morph into himself”, I am completing commissions, working on new work and filling holiday orders for some of my favorite shops. I have a clearer understanding of how precious my time is now and because of that, I do not say “Yes” to just any project or opportunity – it has to light me up inside, it must be worth me taking time away from my family. I’m blessed to be in a position where I get to make those choices!
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’d want your readers to know that I love creating and I am proud of they way my jewelry connects to people, the way a piece can resonate with someone without me muttering a single word.
It is always my desire to create something with meaning and to be honest – to create jewelry with feeling.
We are all imperfect, we all love imperfectly, and from what I understand, we all want to be seen. With my current collections, my hope is that each piece of jewelry encourages the wearer to be seen and to embrace those imperfections and possibly inspire someone else to do the same.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I try to be careful about giving out advice, but for the sake of this interview; my advice would be, for those whom are just starting out, to try everything.
If your desire is to become a stained-glass artist; I think a good start would be to learn everything you can about the subject, put yourself in the spaces where stained-glass artists are and learn from them. Invest in tools (the best your money can afford) and play and practice and play some more.
Committing is important too. This is something that took me a while to get. I can want and I can dream all day long, but none of that means anything until a commitment has been made. If your intention is to be the best stained-glass artist that you can be, you must first decide that that is your truest priority and duty.
It is my belief that art/craft vocations can be fruitful especially for those who combine determination with genuine enthusiasm to share their talents with the rest of the world.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.blessthetheory.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/blessthetheory
Image Credits:
Photo credits of Charmaine in her studio: Isaiah and Taylor Photography, Photo credits of Jewelry: Sara Rey Photography, Photos of jewelry on model: Michael Dirlam Photography
