Talisman Founder Vanessa Barcus

Mar 12

Written By Hannah

Can you tell us how you started Talisman and what inspired you to make jewelry?

Talisman originally started back when I owned a women's boutique in Denver called Goldyn. We sold a lot of jewelry in addition to clothing by independent designers, and figured why not make some simple, basic pieces ourselves. I've always been a jewelry lover, even since childhood - I see it as sacred adornment and armor at times. What you wear can be both utilitarian as well as a reflection of who you are, who you want to be or project, and how you're feeling. My love of adornment most definitely comes from my mother, who always has amazing jewelry on. So, that love naturally carried through to my store's product mix, and Talisman Fine Jewelry as we know it now. The collection has really evolved a lot since its humble beginnings, particularly when I learned how to do casting. That allowed me to make more substantial, sculptural pieces, and thus Talisman became the conduit for my art form that it is today.

vanessa barcus founder of talisman at her jewelry studio smiling at camera

It what ways has starting Talisman changed your life?

These days my life is a lot more balanced, which is an intentional and welcome change. I also now predominantly work with my hands, as opposed to working mostly on the computer. I love that. It's very grounding. I owned my boutique Goldyn for 11 years, and while it was very fun and fulfilling, it was also extremely stressful and necessitated long hours every day. Just focusing on Talisman gives me a lot more flexibility each day, and I don't have to push myself as hard as I used to, which wasn't healthy. Plus, I just love working with gold as a metal. It has some really beautiful energetic properties, which I enjoy being around. Jewelry making is such an amazing craft too, because you never run out of new skills to learn and new ways of doing things. I'm a perpetual learner, which keeps it interesting.

Who or what has greatly influenced your life and business?

Going way way back, I was lucky enough to land an internship with an up-and-coming clothing designer, Trovata, while I was in college. It was through the experience of working directly with the founders, and CEO John Whitledge in particular (who is simply the nicest, most amazing human), that I realized it was possible to have a career in fashion. That changed the course of my life.

Are you working on anything new?

Always! I actually just completed 3 pretty major new pieces, which I'm extremely proud of. One is an entirely handmade chain, which took almost 100 hours to complete! So much work, but totally worth it. Each link was sculpted in wax and cast. The other two new pieces include a large portal pendant with multiple "dimensions" to it - meant to embody the Divine Feminine - and a smaller, coin-like pendant on a daintier chain, which has a hidden inscription on it that invokes phoenix energy. All of my pieces are imbued with some kind of deeper meaning like that, though I prefer to keep that aspect more inconspicuous. That way my jewelry can be enjoyed simply on an aesthetic level too, for people who are less "woo-woo" haha.

What piece of advice would you give to someone starting their own business or artistic endeavor?

Be honest with yourself about what your strengths and weaknesses are, and find people to help you whose skills complement your own.

Outside of work, what are some creative outlets that keep you inspired?

I'm a lover of art and music. I spend most of my free time experiencing one or the other of these. I'm also a big fan of meditation and mindfulness. Keeping my "channel" clear is important to receiving inspiration.

Where outside of your physical space feels like home?

A beautiful garden, swimming in a warm ocean, a meadow filled with wildflowers. Also Greece and the island nation of Cyprus, Mendocino and the Northern California coast, and the Sonoran desert at sunset.

What excites you most?

Eccentric people who are not afraid to be authentically themselves.

Tell us about your morning routine.

Wake up, make my favorite adaptogenic mushroom coffee, meditate and do some yoga stretches, then shower and start my work day.

What is currently your favorite beauty or self-care product?

A couple years ago I was turned onto a skin care line out of Fort Collins, Colorado, called Zi Zai. The whole line is formulated by a dermatologist with a Chinese medicine background, and the products are incredible. I use their Yin Herbal face soap and facial cream daily. I also love the Vitamin C serum by Intelligent Elixirs.

What is your favorite way to move your body?

Honestly, I used to be such a gym rat, but after an accident I was in, followed by the pandemic, I have really grown to appreciate gentle exercise like walking, yoga and qigong.

What does self-care look like for you?

Making time for meditation and movement every day.

What are your 3 wardrobe staples?

Perfectly-fitting, high-waisted trousers, high top Converse (literally never a wrong choice), and a statement piece (or two or three) of gold jewelry of course! My Talisman Rollo Hoops, Portal Bracelet, and Rollo Band are pretty much always on, day or night.

What book is on your nightstand?

Currently reading "The Nineties" by Chuck Klosterman

What brands, artists and/or makers are you loving right now?

So many! I’m particularly inspired by painters Simphiwe Ndzube, Paula Duro, multi-disciplinary artist Elena Stonaker, and sculptor Alma Allen. For brands, I love what Alessandro Michele is doing at Gucci, and I always adore independent, sustainably-minded designers like Rachel Craven, Bode, and my friends Mecla Soyer and Kate Towers.