Life and Work with Deidre Berry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deidre Berry.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Deidre. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Deeply rooted in the sacred land of the Queen City, I am Deidre Henry Berry, native New Orleanian and creator of Queen Mother Jewelry. My ancestral roots, ancient world traditions and the healing energies of crystals guide my spirit in creating bold and authentic “wearable art” designs.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Queen Mother Jewelry was birthed from my life experiences. The aesthetics are heavily influenced by the various cultures and traditions I was exposed to while traveling the world as a young adult, and thereafter, by the incapacitating tragedy, I endured as my marriage and life, as I had known it, unraveled.

Women, especially women of color, are often scrutinized and harshly judged for abandoning the traditional workforce and endeavoring to explore our deepest passions. As I assembled the pieces of my dismantled life, I made the courageous decision to forego my position as a Kindergarten teacher at a local school in Houston. My decision was met with a cacophony of dissenting voices from family and friends predicting, what they considered to be, my inevitable failure. I allowed their harsh criticism to jolt my confidence in decisions, my creations and, most detrimentally, in ​myself​. Channeling the life force energy of my ancestral Queen Mothers, I became the alchemist; listening to the voice within, reclaiming my power and transforming my pain into beauty through the artistic expression of my jewelry designs. My “recovery art” was a conduit for communication that allowed me to express my deepest feelings, helping me discover a greater purpose in life.

Please tell us about Queen Mother Jewelry.
The warrior Queens of Queendoms past, who placed valor before fear and sought triumph over defeat, are the impetus behind my contemporary designs. My collections are intended to serve both as a decorative statement and gentle reminder of a woman’s abiding strength, perseverance and innate ability to breathe life into destruction.

The crystals and stones incorporated into my jewelry possess unique healing properties. I personally cleanse and infuse each completed design with positive intentions and affirmations that encourage healing and promote self-empowerment.

I believe my purpose in this lifetime is to come into alignment with my true power and through the clarity of my example inspire others to do the same. The mission of Queen Mother Jewelry is to serve as a reflection of strength, a symbol of resilience and to be a constant reminder of our inner nobility.

As a brand, Queen Mother prides itself on providing quality and bespoke wearable art that is beautiful to the eye and feels good to the soul!

There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Finding someone to help you navigate your career path can be valuable. My advice for aspiring artists is to find someone you admire in your desired industry and reach out to them. Mentors are great because they are able to draw on their experiences to answer questions and give advice.

I would also suggest getting active in local community events as well as using social media outlets to help grow your brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: queenmotherjewelry.com
• Email: deidreberry@me.com
• Instagram: @queenmotherjewelry
• Facebook: Queen Mother Jewelry Design
• Twitter: @QueenMotherLLC

Image Credit:
Soufiane Sattva @iamsoifianesattva

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