Who we are.
My name is Laurel and I am the owner and metalwitch behind Which Witch Handmade.
I am moved to create jewelry by a philosophy of the body that seeks out the narratives left obscure to history. Our aesthetic embraces the texture and juxtaposition of woman, female, and witch through the pairing of handmade copper and sterling silver elements with gemstones of alchemical portent. Our name, Which Witch Handmade, rose from the anonymity of Otherness and the disfranchisement of the body when it is reducible to gender, and our desire for conscious, handmade means of speech.
When I construct pieces, I consider the physicality of my materials and how they will be worn on the body. I make jewelry that celebrates the body as a site of power and mystery, a source of creativity and an unpredictable force. Our belief in bodies is ancient, woven into human history with a secret power always supressed, but never quite extinguished.
Fashion inspires me as a visual narrative exploring how we relate to our environment. Color and texture reflect the language of individual assertion with a silent agency, especially when we wear items that transmit the energy of handmade fashion to the wearer.
Which Witch Handmade began in 2015 as a sister-run project and is entering a new chapter in 2024, as I explore silver fabrication and stone setting.
Who we are.
We make one of a kind pieces because we value your body, witch. Each piece is created with natural semi-precious gemstones, solid copper, .925 sterling silver, or 14k gold-fill.
Metal makes witches stronger. Every pair of earrings is made with sterling silver or 14k gold-fill, both of which are nickel-free.
Stones are formed with an intricate balance of time and pressure, much as we emerge from our past selves with the bold energy of renewed intention.
Why we make.
The historical oppression of the body, especially the female or the gendered body, is a prejudice we fight by making handmade accessories that embolden wearers to challenge existing statuses and structures.
To recognise the body is to acknowledge the cries and yearnings of a being whose complexity is forcibly masked and hidden by false histories. The body is a map of ideals, of justice, of corporeal presence, of confidence and sensitivity. We wish to create an emotional space with handmade fashion that shields the wearer from fear of the power of our voices. Our bodies are strong, witches. We speak of a power that exposes and unites us, declares us sisters under the same moon, and tells a history of the voices who could not be silenced.
Earth values. Human values.
We are conscious bodies and we value yours, witch.
Sustainability. We strive to be relational in our sourcing of materials, focusing on slow and intentional creation with high-quality materials. We use copper and sterling silver, which can be recycled and turned into new pieces.
Respect. We take great care sourcing gemstones from dealers who have respectful relationships with gem cutters, ensuring quality, natural stones.
Care. From the fall of the hammer to the delicate wire wrapping, we take great care with each piece to ensure it can withstand years of wear.