Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Spangler.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Ever since I have been a young boy, I have collected stones, mushrooms, seaweed, arrowheads, etc. Even then, I remember being stunned by the complexities of nature’s design and its simultaneous simplicity. As a child, my grandmother taught me to cherish the earth and to treasure its offerings. I like to ponder on my experiences with her, teaching me how to nourish my body from the fruits of the land, and how to nourish the land in return. I remember her guiding me through the woods, where she taught me to ground myself through a circle of precious stones. At times of anger or frustration, the stones helped to quiet my mind and bring me stillness.
“Hunting” is what got me completely hooked though; my grandfather took me Jade hunting when I was eight years old, and I reflect on that memory as the beginning of my life with the stone. It still excites me to go out into the remote canyons, wade through the river, and find that one Jade stone amongst thousands of other stones.
A Jade carver of 40 years himself, my grandfather was excited to pass on his knowledge and experience to me. He has taught me, encouraged me, and at times, even pushed me to understand the stone – beyond its technicality. Traditions like returning the first piece of jade you find back to the river; not to take more than you can carry; to practice presence in the hunting and carving processes. To shape jade and dedicate my life to teaching others about it only feels right by the experiences of my upbringing.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not always been smooth, but I am grateful for every twist and turn in the road. In 2013, as an amateur carver at age 19, I had little income to begin collecting tools and jade for my shop, My shop was (and still is) a garage that I used to share with a bunch of random roommates. This was a fearful experience for me, as the tools, I use to carve jade are embedded with tiny diamonds, so each bit, burr, and blade is more expensive than it might be if I were working with a softer material like wood or soapstone. I was afraid that the shared space would be somehow compromised: left unsecured, tools carelessly used and not returned, tools broken by other happenings in the garage, etc… And some of these fears played out just as I imagined them. So it was really just a “scarcity mentality” that I had to overcome, in addition to creating trust with the people I live with, that my designated space and my investment in tools and materials would be respected.
However, my age also gave me an edge because it sets me apart from the majority of craftspeople that make up my trade. I am the youngest jade-carver that I know of in the Western cultures, who is pursuing and supporting themselves with this kind of work and ONLY this kind of work; the fine art of gemstone carving and sculpting. I have only my grandmother and grandfather to thank for sparking my interest and leading me to this work at such an early age…
In February of 2014, my grandfather opened a jade gallery called “JadeNow” in Santa Barbara. And let’s just say this wasn’t all smooth sailing either. It was a magnificent space that highlighted and supported many of California’s most unique fine arts and crafts, not just jade. It was truly a unique and challenging undertaking that brought over 30 artists together in collaborative effort for a surprisingly harmonious outcome. Everyone who entered the space could feel how special it was, without question.
With plenty of capital at the beginning, we made the classic mistake of over-investing in the space and over-spending, as though our well of abundance would never run dry. A few swift moves caused us to close the gallery in late 2016 and it was an emotional loss for all of us involved, especially my grandfather. Since then, he has been forced to downsize his studio space and move way out of town, as he attempts to begin again. Though this weighs heavily on my heart, I find inspiration and awe in his ability to impose positivity on any situation, even the worst of them. I think it is so surprising and admirable to me because my family struggles so intensely with addiction and substance abuse, so to see him show such resilience and strength of character gives me hope for myself, my parents, my sisters, my brothers, my other grandparents and friends who struggle or have struggled with addiction and/or dependence. Observing him closely enables me the privilege of learning from his experience, as well as taking pride in carrying on his legacy. If you haven’t heard of him, I encourage you to look him up (Jeff “Jade” Spangler), as his experience as a child of the 60’s and his unique, self-taught artistry is simply unparalleled…
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My specialty seems to be contemporary design with undertones of ancient practice and appreciation for primitive cultures. For me, carving Jade is a complex co-creation with nature. Its beauty and integrity are beyond comparison, making it an incredibly dynamic medium with which to express my creativity and translate my experience. I am inspired by those who respond so powerfully to my work – by their emotional reaction to a particular piece, their words of appreciation for my art form, connections they have to the stone and the stories they share about their own lives. It brings me great joy to carve for someone a piece of nature that they may always carry with them – a treasure that will bring them the stillness it has brought me.
I do not find this outlook and intention to be common among “rock hounds” so it is my honor and responsibility to bring integrity to the mining, carving, and selling of this precious resource that has influenced and shaped the cultures in China, New Zealand, Canada, and other places around the world, for thousands of years. Carving jade has been revered in these cultures throughout their history, giving them a market and an appreciation for what it means to be a carver of stone. In the US, we have no known history with the stone which presents both a barrier and an opportunity for us Westerners to create an educated culture and market for hand-carved jade jewelry and sculpture.
Carving jade for the last five years has taught me focus, patience, discipline, a dedicated work ethic, and an artistry I didn’t know was within me. Jade has been introduced and nurtured through family and friendly connections and I believe it is a stone to be gifted in the physical form, as well as in the form of knowledge and appreciation. I intend to carry on both.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Since we are outside of LA in Santa Barbara, this question is challenging to answer. I suppose I wouldn’t recommend Santa Barbara specifically because of the high cost of living and the gap between the wealthy and the struggling artists that live here. It doesn’t feel like there is an overwhelming amount of support here, but we are grateful for the support and community we do find.
There has been an immense gentrification of our grungy little artist community called “The Funk Zone” where artists used to live and work in tiny little spaces that were poorly maintained but conducive to an inexpensive and resourceful style of living that many artists revel in. In recent years, the artists have been mostly removed from “Da Funk” to make way for wineries, bars, fancy restaurants, and luxury hotels. There’s even a newly created “Artist Village” composed of stationary shipping containers and little workspaces, but they are absurdly over-priced for what they are, making them inaccessible for young artists like myself and my compadres to grow our businesses from infancy…
Pricing:
- Hand-Carved Jade Earrings = $100 to $250
- Hand-Carved Jade Pendants = $100 to $300
- Hand-Carved Jade “Detail Carvings” = $250 too $2,000
- Hand-Carved Jade “Miniature Sculpture” = $3,000 – $10,000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.californiajadecarvings.com
- Phone: (805) 448-6923
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @californiajadecarvings
- Facebook: @californiajadecarvings
Image Credit:
Nico Cabildo, Paje Victoria, Roberta Reed, Levi Spangler
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
