Meet Luana Coonen | Jewelry Designer & Goldsmith

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luana Coonen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In my last semester of college, my professor asked our classroom to share what everyone’s next chapter was. Amongst the answers of ‘go to graduate school’ or ‘attend an artist residency,’ I was one of the only two students who said ‘start my own business’. It was such a clear decision in my mind, I was surprised to hear there were other choices & options. My mother was an entrepreneur my whole childhood so I’m not sure if it was that, American idealism or sheer will which drove me to become a small business owner. Either way, I’m glad the drive was so strong, because that much motivation is needed to make it through the first few years.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets my jewelry apart from other designers is both my choice of materials, and blend of creativity with wearability. I create pieces that are highly inspired and unique (think inspired by butterfly wings, anatomical hearts, and celestial movements) which for some designers come off as ‘unwearable’ or too large. Yet due to my time in the fashion industry, I make these jewelry pieces incredibly easy to wear which become everyday favorites. The other thing that sets me apart is my blend of alternative and traditional materials. I am a trained goldsmith, meaning I work with gold, silver, diamonds, gemstones, and platinum. Yet my desire to work with a larger breadth of creative materials led me to become self-trained to work with acrylic, polycarbonate, gold leaf, dragonfly wings, mica, rose petals, beach-combed coral, and other interesting natural treasures.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live on Colorado’s western slope, so nature is key over here! I would probably take them on a hike to one of my favorite lakes for a swim or a SUP, then a hike through the lush fern-dotted aspen groves, and in the evening we’d head back to where I live, the town of Paonia for a casual farm-to-table dinner followed by live music in an organic orchard.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ll give my shoutout to my college professor and mentor Marylin da Silva. She saw a teacher in me I did not know was there, which launched me into being a college-level and trade-school instructor for over a decade. She introduced me to well-established artists which started my journey into doing high-end craft shows around the country. Marylin saw so much potential in me I could not see past the classroom, and I’m so glad she nudged me along during my young twenties, as two decades later I’m still successfully working in the field.

Website: www.LuanaCoonen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luana_coonen_jewelry/ (or luana_coonen_jewelry)

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luanacoonen

Twitter: https://twitter.com/luanacoonen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuanaCoonenJewelry/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/luana-coonen-jewelry-paonia-2

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/luanacoonen/

Image Credits
photo of artist: Cadencia Photography photos of jewelry: Luana Coonen