“In retrospect, I can see in my own life what I could not see at the time—how the job I lost [left behind] helped me find work I needed to do, how the ‘road closed’ sign turned me toward terrain I needed to travel, how losses that felt irredeemable forced me to discern meanings I needed to know. On the surface, it seemed that life was lessening, but silently and lavishly the seeds of new life were always being sown.”
~Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation, Parker Palmer
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I have both a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in graphic design and a Master’s of Education in Teaching (?!). I have spent most of my adult life figuring out that I really do want to be an artist. My vocational journey has been a difficult one at times. It has taken me years to understand and accept that my soul was not created to flourish in “corporate” anything!
During those angst filled years I discovered two loves; an affinity for typography—an affair which began during design school. My second love—a strong desire to connect meaningfully with others through words and language—was cultivated during the years spent teaching. Motherhood and lots of “inner work” seeking God’s voice have helped the healing process along, though there is still so far for me to go.
Happily today, the work I create under Hazelnut Cottage is the meaningful work I sought for so long. The two loves I discovered earlier in my careers is now melded into one passion: a line of soulful, modern handstamped jewelry. I work mainly with oxidized sterling silver and semi-precious stones.
Deeply personal in nature, my jewelry making is actually a form of therapy and catharsis:
“There is something soothing and quieting about the work of my hands…the coolness of the small, smooth pieces of silver…the solid feel of the letters as they sink into the metal…mostly though, it’s the words and phrases in which I revel. They stir in my mind as I think about my struggles, and the sorrowful experiences I’ve seen others endure. Jewelry making allows me to process the craziness of life when things get overwhelming and hopefully the pieces that emerge encourages others on their journey. Doing this work somehow feels clean and right and it resonates within me in a way that I can’t quite express.”
That’s me, mostly. I am petrified and exhilarated to have my very own Hazelnut Cottage website! It is a yearning fulfilled that I cannot fully express. Making art my life’s work, and being a part of a community of fellow indie artists has been my dream before I even knew I had a dream, so thank you, thank you for even being the least little bit interested!
In my free time you can surely find me at the beach, having deep conversations with those I love about things that matter. In a perfect world, I shall one day live in an ocean front cottage with my husband of 15 years, two sons and a one slightly used, pee obsessed cat.
Hoping That What Moves Me Stirs Something in You Too,
Jan Avellana
Hazelnut Cottage
