Today we’d like to introduce you to Eva Porche.
Eva, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My fascination with jewelry began when my great grandmother taught me how to make beads out of rolled magazine clippings. That same year, at the age of 11, I started my first jewelry company called “Go Green Jewelry.” I made necklaces out of these beads as well as other recycled items like old fashion bottle caps. I spent the summer of 2010 selling my pieces at my local farmers market, before eventually retiring from the craft and focusing on school.
Throughout my teenage years, I dreamt of starting a Jewelry line again. This time, I wanted to create pieces that were lasting and timeless. I began researching how I could make pieces out of precious metals from scratch. I eventually stumbled upon the lost-wax casting method- a method that involves hand sculpting a piece of wax and then casting it into metal. The method is ancient and uncommon; it took me years to figure out how to start and where to cast. I moved to Santa Monica in 2018 for modeling and spent my free time sculpting wax pieces in my room with no direction. With the help of some jewelry casters in downtown LA, I was able to make these little wax carvings into wearable pieces. The dream of mine finally started to become a reality, and Evangeline Jewelry was born! Today, I still use this same method to make my collection. I currently sell them online but plan to soon sell at a craft market or through another shop.
Has it been a smooth road?
Trying to navigate such a complicated craft and start a business on my own has been incredibly challenging. I have always preferred self-taught learning, but I often feel like I am navigating an invisible world when trying to figure out how to make a piece look the way I want it to. Hassling people in downtown LA has tested my patience more than anything I have ever done. Sometimes spend hours in the car only to find out that a caster has lost or broken a piece that I worked on for days. I try to remind myself how grateful I am for these jewelers that alchemize my work into metal- it is very dangerous, and I certainly could not do it myself! I really struggle with the fear of letting down a customer, but I am learning that all I can do is my best. Trying to let go of that control and believe in myself has been the best lesson for me.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Evangeline Jewelry – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Ancient jewelry is a huge source of inspiration for my jewelry; I am fascinated by the history of humankind and the way we have adorned ourselves over the ages. Jewelry is as old as man. Humans have always had the urge to decorate ourselves and cherish items for their personal meaning. I try to tap into this instinct through my pieces. I am proud to say that my pieces are made by hand, not by a computer or a machine. Like the natural world, they are always imperfect. I believe this gives my jewelry life. It is not fast fashion- it can be worn for years. My jewelry is meant to hold meaning that is relative to the wearer. I aim to create quality pieces that are unique yet classic. I put so much love and hard work into my jewelry. I love being able to tell the story of how each piece was created and what part of my heart it was created from. I believe that selling my jewelry is an exchange of energy between two people, and I cherish that aspect of it.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I grew up in San Diego, which is like a very mellow version Los Angeles. I love living here because the city has everything. Los Angeles has breathtaking nature and it also has bustling city streets that are full of opportunity. There are so many experiences to have in LA, and you can meet nearly every walk of life. Everybody can find their place in LA.
That being said, it can be challenging to connect with people here. Like every big city, people are very busy and impatient. Traffic is a major disruption for many of us and has contributed to a culture of canceling plans. There is a downside to every city, so it is certainly not a deal-breaker for me!
Contact Info:
- Website: evangelinejewelry.com
- Instagram: @evangeline.jewelry
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