Today we’d like to introduce you to Ani Jessica Simonian.
Ani Jessica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Hi, this is how my love for crystals sparked and turned into a creative hobby. As a young retired dancer who used movement as a form of creativity and expression, a canyon car crash with injuries set my 20-year dance life on hold. This also led me to narrow in my vision from rocks and geology to Kinesiology and physical therapy. I wasn’t going to end up being the weather girl on the news, or study fault lines in the desert anyway. Little did I know, that my first crystal guided meditation led by Jessica Snow at Spellbound sky would connect the dots and reignite my love and work with semi-precious stones and crystals. It was then, six years ago, that I taught myself how to wire wrap these beautiful specimens gifted from earth. My style has evolved throughout the years and molded into my finest love for my untraditional Mala pieces. I have always been a soul that believed in balance. These talismans from nature give flow and put into harmony the individuals that closely held and cherish them. I am happy to let my creativity flow into the lives of those who choose to carry on my work into their lives and gift towards the lives of those they love.
Great, 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?
The road into working with crystals has naturally flowed with ease. If anything, it was my calm through all the chaos I was experiencing in my scholastic and personal life. Meditation works wonders on the mind. When using crystal guided meditations, you really learn to narrow in on the purpose of the crystal and it makes concentration on an affirming thought so much more possible. I used every moment I had to create my pieces, and most of the time when they weren’t being stubborn, it was so calming. That is why my business has the word ‘Meraki’ in it. Meraki means to do something with your soul, creativity, and love; leaving a piece of yourself in what you are doing. I carry this word strongly not only with my passion for crystals and work with them, but also my professional life with my patients in physical therapy.
Please tell us about MerakiSolWraps.
My work was originally based on wire wrapping single crystal pieces. I then added bracelets into the mix. Two years ago, I taught myself how to make what I named “Untraditional Mala” necklaces. These are a modern branch off of Buddhist and Hindu meditation prayer beads. I call them untraditional because they have an artsy modern feel to them, that don’t always use silk thread, a guru bead, and a tassel. They do however always include 108 semi-precious stone beads. I am very proud of each of my pieces. They are all so uniquely different, with their own special character and energy. As a single individual customizing my own creative vision into my pieces, I don’t think there is any comparison to anyone else in this field. I feel every artist is truly unique in their own way. Therefore, I believe everyone is connected and at the same time uniquely separate in styles from each other. I always encourage people to check out work from fellow artisans in the same field and business.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood was taking one last trip with my parents to the Bahamas, New Orleans, and Florida before my dad gained his wings. I lost my father at the age of 11 to cancer. This was one of the sweetest memories I formed with them, that I could remember. With trauma, you naturally block pain, and because of this, I have a hard time remembering a lot of my childhood. I know I’ve had countless memories, with the most important people in my life, my family. The trip with my parents was definitely the best.
Contact Info:
- Website: etsy.com/shop/MerakiSolWraps
- Phone: 818-299-6159
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @merakisoltosoul
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
