Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Swinney.
Stacy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always been a maker. My favorite thing to do is to take something unsuspecting and turn it into something that really catches your eye. I’m a collector. My entire life I’ve always had little boxes, vignettes, etc. filled with things that I love and bring me inspiration. Rocks, feathers, dried flowers, a found key. There was no limit to what these little things mean to me. Knowing that so many had passed them, and felt no need to collect them. As I’ve grown older, this has expanded to antlers, shells, bones, furs. Again finding something to be treasured about seemingly pedestrian things that had been cast aside or left to be found.
I knew I was supposed to do something with all these pieces– eventually– but until the moment came, I would keep collecting and artfully arranging my things. The moment eventually came in 2013, when I got really serious about creating costuming for a hobby of mine, dancing American Tribal Style Bellydance. It started as a personal endeavor as a way to make exactly what I wanted for costuming & performance pieces– but couldn’t find. It also started small– hair adornments and reworking jewelry I already had to become more statement-making. Flash-forward to September 2017.
I take a trip to Los Angeles, CA to visit my best friend (Julie Forte). We spend my entire stay trying to put pieces together for her jewelry collection. In helping her, I was inspired to start my own line. As a Virgo-Type-A person, I couldn’t just jump into my own venture without doing some research– nor was I ready to quit my day job and pursue this avenue as a full time gig. I spent time researching and working on making a full brand to debut.
When determining what I wanted my brand to be, I knew one thing I wanted; I wanted it to be something that matched my style of collecting: you find it when you need it, you find it when everyone else has passed it by, it was meant for you. With that mindset, Fortuna seemed like the obvious choice. Forturna, the goddess of luck, she represents life’s capriciousness. I wanted my brand and my pieces to be something you found by happenstance, or exactly when you needed it.
So now I had a name, a concept, and I needed pieces. I started making bracelets & rings. The bracelets were simple, common semi-precious stones; the rings were also simple; wire wrapped beads that resemble Saturn (layers of wire surrounding the bead to create “rings”). I then created signature pieces, the Pretty & Protective collection: naturally shed and ethically sourced South African Porcupine Quills on breakaway necklaces. In their simplicity– I still had to make sure they were “me”; I worked Numerology into every piece I made (and still do)– from the number of stones, spacers, and the stones between the spacers, the length of chain– every element of every piece has Numerology worked into it.
And from there– it’s expanded to so much more: the Huntress Collection (naturally shed and ethically sourced White Tail Deer antlers used in necklaces; honoring the myriad of goddess that represent the hunt/hunting/providing), the Familiars Collection (bones/teeth of animals turned into rings or necklaces; honoring those that guide & support us through our lives), a revolving door of bracelets, raw and tumbled stone statement rings, and anything else I can dream up or that someone asks me to dream up for them. But I really don’t think I would where I am without the support and inspiration from those around me– constantly pushing me and helping me iron out every dream I have into a tangible piece, accessible to others.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For me, I think I have had a smoother road than some. I was able to take a small dream and turn it into a profitable reality within eight months. I have over a decade of Retail Industry experience; I have seen first hand what things can make or break a business and it’s customer base. I used that experience to create something that I believe in, and have stayed true to my vision of what I want Fortuna to be. I work tirelessly to create pieces that I hope people will love, and put it out there, and express as many thanks and gratitude to and for anyone who connects with Fortuna’s mission.
I think another reason things have been smooth, is the immense support the community has shown me. I am constantly in awe with every order and every purchase someone makes. I still cannot believe in this digital age, and so many makers– they chose me.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Fortuna is intuitive-hand-crafted jewelry inspired by tarot, astrology, and Numerology. Using precious and semi-precious stones, sacred woods, bones, teeth and time tested metals to honor those tools of divination. Each piece is carefully and thoughtfully made to honor the wearer, and the elements used to create it. Each piece also cleansed and charged before being sent or before being shown at an event. I think it the intent to honor every element of every piece is something that sets us apart. And the numerology element is something you don’t see or hear a lot about.
The thing that I am most proud of with Fortuna is two fold: one it’s a piece of me and my craft that I am able to share, and two, it’s a way to connect with other people on their own path as they follow their own craft.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Oh my gosh! So many people, and I am sure I will leave some people out (unintentionally) just like people do at the award shows… But I will try to give everyone credit that I can:
Julie Forte (Mentor & Best Friend) she gave me the original permission slip to chase this dream. And with well over a decade of friendship– she helped me through my best and worst. She’s an endless source of support, inspiration, and remote assistance in bringing my visions to life.
Aaron Reed (Boyfriend & Biggest Supporter) gave me some of my first tools, my first tent & my first tool bag, and he continues to find new ways to support me in this endeavor. He is always willing to lend me a hand and teach me how to use a tool or improve my technique most effectively. He’s been with me at almost every event, under every condition imaginable since the very beginning.
Supporting shops/brands/owners: Fort Witch (Di Corral), Artio Artisanals (Wendy/Bear Griffin), Stones & Bones (Jessicka Beasley), Beasley Blades (Shawn Beasley), Moonlights Apothecary (Jodyn Copeland) Mystic Guidance (Angela Edwards) Potions by Jen (Jen Denise)
These shops & owners have helped me, encouraged me along the way. I am so grateful for the support they’ve shown me. It’s wonderful being part of a community of makers that strive to build each other up and enable each other– instead of seeing each other as competition. There are so many talented makers & creators in the DFW area– that I am very proud to be a part of it.
My Clients: I won’t name them– so no one gets outed of the broom closet. My clients mean the world to me. I am so honored and thankful that they put their trust in me & choose me to make them pieces that support them on their journey, and aide them in their craft. They are a huge source of inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 817-228-5675
- Email: fortunacreates@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohhfortuna
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohhfortuna
Image Credit:
all photos by Stacy Swinney
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