VOYAGE MIA: Meet Tracey Carswell of Powerful in Pink in North Miami

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey Carswell.

Tracey, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.

I’ve been making art as long as I can remember…my parents always encouraged my sister and I to create and express ourselves through art. I come from generations of artists and teachers- grandfather, mother, and my sister and I. I made my first piece of “real” silver jewelry as part of an Arts Magnet program while in my senior year of high school. After graduating, I studied for two years at the Maryland Institute College of Art; working with various metals, wood, and textiles, focusing on 3-D functional sculpture.

After a five-year life learning hiatus, I went back to school to study Fashion Accessory Design at the Miami International University of Art and Design. I studied how to draw, design, and fabricate shoes, hats, belts, and jewelry. When it came time to pick an area for my final collection, I had no hesitation about making jewelry.

It took me another eight years after graduating to come back to jewelry, all thanks to some queer youth who reminded me that I love making art and then held me accountable. In 2017, I began taking classes at Jewelry Creations Workshop in North Miami and shortly after became the Studio and Business Manager. I took several classes in various techniques over two years, learned the ins and outs of running a school, worked with teachers, students and studio members, and built my jewelry community in Miami. I also began teaching jewelry making classes and got to experience the magic of seeing students light up when they learn something new!

Last year I founded the Miami chapter of the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA), an international non-profit organization committed to the empowerment of women in jewelry. WJA’s mission is to “help women in the jewelry and watch industries advance and develop professionally through networking, education, leadership development, and the provision of member services.” I love seeing the beautiful leadership showing up with the women in the jewelry industry. I’m especially proud of the WJA Miami board members, these women give so much, and I’m forever grateful for their partnership and friendship. This platform is steadily growing, building and expanding our community of women, men and folx in Miami and South Florida.

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