I’ve been making mystical jewelry for many years here in New Orleans a city with deep esoteric roots and traditions.
My workshop is my creative cozy space and before I begin each day, there is always a moment of stillness, a pause where nothing is being made yet, but everything is already present. I stand among my tools, metals, and stones and allow myself to arrive fully. In this quiet moment, I take in my creative space and all the many things that coexist in my workshop. I also take in the pulse of the city, its rhythm and history. It is here that my creative process begins weaving its own story and song. The sounds of grinding stones, filing metals, clanking chains, and the soft roar of my jeweler’s torch being lit.
Growing up in New Orleans, I was surrounded by stories, ritual, and resilience. The music and art reflected these stories and rituals, weaving together generations. This rhythm lives with me in the workshop, guiding the way I move, listen, and let inspiration in. My travels to other places have added many textures that layer into my work. I also take in the journey of the stones and the travels they have made to be here with me. I hold them, sit with them, and listen. Each stone carries its own story, and I try to feel what it wants to share. This is an integral part of the design itself. I view the stones as collaborators in the process and express gratitude for their presence, energy, and guidance. My role is to respond, not impose.
Making jewelry is grounding and rhythmic. Working at the bench has taught me to slow down. I feel the rhythm of my hands, trust, and listen, rather than forcing a certain shape or form. Lessons first whispered to me by my city and carried through everything I create. My jewelry is always changing and evolving, like the seasons. Allowing my work to shift keeps my love for creating ever-growing. Each new piece reflects where I am in that moment, what I feel, and what I’ve learned. It shows the importance of honoring material, intuition, and gratitude. What emerges are pieces made of more than metal and stone. They invite anyone who wears them into their story, to feel their rhythm, and to hear their song.
My Favorite Songs
There’s a gentle magic in New Orleans during springtime that I love. Everything feels like it’s waking slowly, deliberately, and that same energy moves into the workshop. During this season I always find myself drawn to Peridot. It feels sunlit and alive with warmth that mirrors spring.
The stone I return to again and again is Labradorite. It’s often called the psychics stone for its ability to improve one’s intuition. At first glance, it can seem understated, until light meets at just the right place of the stone. Suddenly its magic and beauty shines. It asks you to slow down and be patient. That’s when Labradorite transforms and reveals it self. It’s a sacred reminder of the many layers of transformation.
Gabrielle Williams is a multidisciplinary nomadic artist whose work is driven by intention and exploration.
