I don’t know a single girl who doesn’t love jewelry. I may love jewelry a little too much actually- from glittering diamonds to delicate gold, chunky vintage pieces to polished pearls, I love them all. There’s something magical about little trinkets from Nature though… Being a beach baby through and through, I’ve been a shell collector for as long as I can remember. I have a shell from every single beach I’ve ever been to. Now that I’m older I try not to collect so many on my trips, I prefer to leave them for others to admire too… but almost making up for it, I’ve begun scooping up every piece of gypsy jewelry I can find.
Gypsy Jewelry: jewelry (typically handmade) influenced by the elements: the sun, sea, earth, sky: and composed of natural elements
And with so many amazing gypsy jewelers out there it’s hard to resist the temptation to carry a little bit of their magic with me everywhere I go.
One of my favorite recently discovered brands is Prism + Sol (their mala necklaces are some of my favorites!). With pretty jewelry as simply magical as the natural inspirations behind it, it’s no surprise that I became immediately smitten with the brand- and now with the beautiful woman creating it as well. I love discovering a brand then finding out it’s backed by a competent, intelligent, creative, and most importantly, passionate, woman. Her story helped inspire me to believe more in my little dreams and I think she’ll inspire you too.
Name
Linda Whigham
Location
Maui, Hawai’i
Why the name Prism + Sol?
Prism+Sol was born from my love for the islands and passion to create. The name is representative of two elements which are ever present in Hawaii: water (prism) + sol (sun), without both we wouldn’t have rainbows everyday. Nature is truly magical.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
On Maui, we are surrounded by beauty and inspiration; the bluest ocean, rainbows, brilliant colored flowers and dense, lush jungle. Our Spring 2013 collection & lookbook “Somewhere Below the Canopy” really tries to capture that.
It’s about being still and feeling your feet root into the earth, the breeze whisper in your ear, and taking in the warmth of the sun on your skin. I combine metals, gemstones, crystals + shells to create an earthy yet feminine look. As a child I always admired my mom’s gorgeous turquoise and silver jewelry, so you will notice a bit of that influence too.
Your site mentions that this is a passion project- what were you doing prior to this?
Before the launch of Prism+Sol, I worked as the buyer and manager for Maui Girl, a sweet little swimwear boutique on the North shore of Maui. I was at my position there for about eight years, and really enjoyed the experience. It was so valuable to learn the ins and outs of running a small business.
What finally gave you the push to pursue jewelry?
I have always loved making jewelry and silversmithing, but had never pursued it as a career. It has been a long time dream of mine to have my own line, and to invest my time and energy into a creative outlet that would pay the bills. With the encouragement and support from my incredible fiancé, I dove into Prism+Sol, head first . I recently read a quote, “If you don’t build your dream, someone will hire you to build theirs.” (- Tony Gaskins). I decided it was time to take a leap of faith.
Dreams for Prism + Sol’s future?
I hope to see Prism+Sol continue to grow and expand our reach. I absolutely love seeing my creations on women across the globe, and knowing that it can empower them or simply bring a smile to their face. That’s what it’s all about.
Inspiring words that get you through?
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” – Eleanor Roosevelt
You can find Prism + Sol at www.prismandsol.com
or on Instagram: @prismandsol
