Today we’d like to introduce you to Alice Matiosian.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alice. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
Music: I’ve been a musician since I was around eight years old. I started with piano, transitioned to guitar when I was 12 and had been playing ever since. While I have always been a writer by nature (journals, poems, short stories, etc.) I had never really attempted to write a song until my senior year of college. To be honest, it was kind of a magical first-songwriting-experience. I sat down on the edge of my bed with my acoustic guitar and began mindlessly playing through some chords while staring out the window and found my self humming a melody over it. Within a half hour, I had constructed a full set of lyrics, and it was then that I had a light go off. I started sending them to my cousin, Marc Walloch (Company of Thieves) who insisted that we record some of them. Shortly after, he helped me release a three-song EP which also led me to land a licensing contract with Synch Audio. I’m so grateful that he believed in me and my art and encouraged me to record my songs. It has opened up so many doors, and we’ve had the chance to strengthen our friendship in the meantime which is priceless. More currently, I just released a single on January 31st and am now working on another that will also have a music video to accompany it. I hope to have a full album out as soon as possible but making sure I have enough songs that I feel are strong enough to be included in a large body of work has proven to be a challenge.
Jewelry: My mom made jewelry as a hobby and took silversmithing classes for almost ten years so growing up she always involved me in making simple beaded necklaces, as well as wax pieces to later, have cast in metal. As I grew older, I remember creating accessories like a feather or beaded hoop earrings with recycled materials but never really had an interest in taking a proper class. For whatever reason, I caught the bug the year after I graduated college and took my first official silversmithing class and, as cliché as it sounds, it changed my life. I continued to take classes and completely fell in love with the craft. As someone who gets bored easily and tends to jump from one hobby to another, it finally felt like I had found “the one.” When I first moved to LA, my workbench was still in my parents’ garage in Santa Barbara. I drove up nearly every weekend to work, but it got to the point where I knew I needed to find a space closer to me. I was lucky enough to stumble upon a shared artist space 10 minutes from my apartment called “Studio A” and have been renting there for the past couple of years! It was a bit of a leap of faith to sign a lease on a creative space, but it really ended up holding me accountable for my own progress and dedication. I’m so glad I took that risk because it has allowed to me to hone my craft, become a part of a supportive international group of jewelers via social media-many of which are now great friends- as well as turn my favorite hobby into a decent source of extra income!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Music: I’m someone who tends to forget to enjoy the ride/process so if anything, I think my impatience is what causes any bumps for me. I get frustrated that I’m not immediately at my end goal and the act of creating music is not necessarily a quick endeavor, so it has been an interesting test of my character.
Something else I’ve been up against is being able to accept that a song is done and ready to leave the nest at a certain point… there will always be something I want to tweak. I think allowing myself to be vulnerable has been a weird adjustment as well. Music is very personal, and it’s an unsettling feeling to send what is essentially a page from your journal out into the world and hope that someone connects with it.
Jewelry: The struggles I’ve encountered so far have mostly been in the making of the jewelry itself.
However, I see any wall I run into as progress and a learning opportunity. Other than that, navigating the business side of things has been a bit of a learning curve. With social media creating such a saturated market, it can be hard to want to price things competitively but not undermine the time you’ve put into a piece.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Alice Osian and Red Tail Jewelry – what should we know?
Jewelry: I try to only make jewelry that I would wear myself. I’d say my pieces have a bit of a rustic quality to them. They all seem to incorporate nature in one way or another, but it’s not really something I intentionally do. I think texture adds another layer of interest to a piece so any time I can work that in, you know I’m gonna. I love what I like to call an “everyday statement pieces.” Something that’s bold but not too big or in your face that you can wear all the time. Around Halloween, I like to play with more whimsical, themed designs. I created some ouija board necklaces that I’m obsessed with. They have a stone planchette and are fully hand stamped to include all of the letters and numbers that you would find on a real board.
I’m really proud of the growth I’ve seen in my business over the past year and just in general! I’ve been able to double my profits – which is so exciting!- And hope to so do again this year. Something different that I’ve decided to do in 2019 becomes a conscious business. I will be setting aside $5 from every sale to donate to Rocky Mountain Institute (which focuses on green energy) at the end of the year. Giving back and green energy are both very important to me, and if I am able to double my sales again this year, I think we’ll be able to send a decent donation their way.
Music: I think you can expect a dreamy ambiance with some dark undertones to be in most of my work. I love dramatic, grandiose soundscapes as much as I love stripped down intimate minimalism so playing with that balance is always in the cards. My lyrics are autobiographical, honest and hopefully relatable. I’m really excited for the music that will be coming out in the future. My first EP was something I’d never expected to even happen, so I wasn’t exactly sure which direction I wanted to go in.
Now I make inspiration playlists for each song I’m working on and can make more informed and direct decisions for the final product. Hopefully, that shift in my process will eventually create a distinct sound of my own that sets me apart in some way.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Music: I’m extremely lucky to have parents who have supported me and my impulsive ever-changing art endeavors. Every piano recital, theatre production, art program final presentation, an improv show, etc. They have been there. They’ve always let me carve my own path and have been the best support system- especially emotionally because… artists, man.
My best friend and roommate from college, Sarah, was the first to hear the first song I wrote and really encouraged me to sing to literally anyone who came over to our apartment, so I have to shout out to her for her support. I’ve got friends, family, co-workers ( thank you, Alphonso, for asking me how music is going every week), and people I haven’t talked to in years who have reached out to tell me they support what I’ve been working on. It’s amazing. As I mentioned before, I couldn’t have done this without Marc, and I’m forever grateful for his help. Of course, I’m also grateful for the many music and voice teachers I’ve had the opportunity to learn from.
Jewelry: Again, my parents having my back is a great feeling. When I signed the lease for my studio space, my dad immediately offered to help me build some tables to work on.
He has continuously made sure that I have what I need to succeed and is always there for me if needed. My mom is the best supermodel and marketing team I could ask for. She tells all of her friends about what I’ve been working on and sends them pictures of my new work.
Honestly, social media has introduced me to such a phenomenal group of fellow silversmiths-especially my Ladysmith!- who all support and help each other. I’ve bonded with people across the country/world because of it. I’m also so thankful for everyone who has ever supported my business through purchasing something from me or has messaged me after to tell me how much they love their new piece.
Contact Info:
- Website: redtailjewelry.etsy.com
- Email: [email protected] [email protected]
- Instagram: @aliceosian @redtail_jewelry
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7HlNsJY7xlQpKNg4g5CMMo?si=XUQ2daYtTzChUFqnvZk09w
Image Credit:
Talya Coviello, Nick Serian, John Furth
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