Home with Jess Hannah

Style, jewelry, smarts, and natural talent-- the makings of success and inspiration. I found 'em in Jess Hannah.  

I had the opportunity of spending time with Jess last week, local jeweler and style-babe. After following Jess on Instagram, I found out that we were neighbors here in San Luis Obispo! I am so grateful I was able to connect with one of my favorite artists on my feed. Her style carries through her home, wardrobe, and jewelry effortlessly with classic lines and timeless details. 

It was so refreshing to find strength and drive in such a young artist. Outside of her classes at the Revere School and a local jewelry course with Linda Lewis, Jess is mostly self-educated. She also apprenticed with local jewelers Baxter Moerman. Her passion to do what she loves pushed her to grow as an entrepreneur and artist. 

Jess and her boyfriend have plans to relocate in Los Angeles to better establish her line of jewelry--with the help of Olive, their child/cat. I am so thankful for opportune connections with beautiful people. 

View more from Jess here.

Naomi Ruth

I have a friend called Naomi. She is from Christchurch, New Zealand 

and is the most beautiful example of spit-fire and compassion that I've seen in a long time. 

Authenticity does not cease to flow from her emotions, conversation, and lifestyle. 

In the time when we met she was a traveler, but since a devastating earthquake in her home town, 

she's brought her hope, strength, and discerning wisdom back to a land close her heart. 

There is a search and struggle for any creative person in finding their own identity, 

especially among so many influences. It is easy to get discouraged among the golden ones 

when you're trying to find your own way. 

I asked Naomi to share a bit about her own creative journey,

 so here is a bit about this complex little sparrow. 

My name is Naomi Ruth Haussmann. 

Creativity seems to be something I sort of tumble into. It's a moment in time where something has to be captured,

 penned down, or sung out otherwise I feel like it might be lost forever. That's sort of how I started writing and taking photos. 

I've been writing and photo taking since I was a kid. I used to take throw away cameras to school 

and take photos of all of my friends. I still use throw away cameras today. 

Writing was always a means of expressing things that I couldn't in conversations. 

Gave me time to explore the things going on in my head.  Now I use it as a way to provoke thought or 

to tell people the journey of my life and those around me. 

To bring change in mindsets and understanding. 

I want to show life honestly, but I also want people to see the beauty in all circumstances. 

So I endeavour to show this with my poetry and photography linked together. 

At the moment I have a blog that I showcase this in. I also have a photography page 

which is more the business side of things that I am excited to grow further this year. 

To do something you love as a job is a crazy blessing. So that's my advice to creative people out there. 

Take hold of the creative outlets and do them. Don't let them sit around waiting for a perfect moment. 

Pick them up, write them down, whatever it is, do it each day. 

Even if it's just for a moment. 

All photo credit to Naomi Haussmann. 

||  http://wecouldgosailing.tumblr.com   ||

||  https://www.facebook.com/GoneSailingPhotography  || 

Kim Madeleine

There are some people that you don’t remember meeting. It’s as if they were always in your life.

Kim Madeline Avakian is one of these.

Kim is a blend of German and Armenian heritage. She was raised in Germany for the first half of her life, and after some traveling, spent the other half in Hawaii.  Her soul reflects the beauty she loves. Her tongue relays the wit and poise of the books she spends her time with.
Her hands play Midas to every piece of paper she touches, making it golden.

I have had the privlege of spending the past year with this beauty,
being challenged to be kinder with every step of her graceful little stride.

She inspires me to drink more deeply as an artist and as a friend.

Both of my parents have always been artistically inclined--my father being a graphic designer (among other things) and my mother simply incredibly talented. We've always had tons of arts supplies, and my parent's artwork, lying around the house.

I couldn't give you a concrete reason why I create,
but it's one of my favorite things to do. It comes to me quite naturally.

Simply put, I love beauty. So I love creating it. 

Hence the whimsical feelings of my paintings. I'm inspired by beautiful words and stories, and I frequently read. I would say books are my main inspiration, aside from nature. And video games (if they're pretty) and comics. Anything fantastical and out of this world, really. 

I hope you enjoy my work!

| Kim Madeline Avakian |

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Here's a few that weren't posted from the Kyle Naylor shoot.

 It was so much fun running around with Amanda and Kyle all over Bishop's Peak. 

Check out Kyle's work over on his Society6 page!

(this curious little one liked my camera)

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As some of you may know, I'm also a photographer for the Blood Sweat & Tears blog. It's been so much fun working with them and meeting new creatives here in SLO. Go check it out, let us know what you think! 

Here are some from a shoot I did with Kayla Hooper, a beautiful thrifty babe who plays in the Simple Parade (with her hubby) and also does some of her own photography on the side. AND and Etsy shop. She's incredible. See the full feature on the Blood Sweat & Tears blog! 

It was such a joy to have fun with Kayla. I love shooting artists, they bring their creativity with 'em.