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

Hi Fernanda, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
Hard working women! Since moving to Denver with my family 2 years ago, I have been welcomed by so many open hearted and hard working women. From when I decided to start selling my art to most recently being able to learn how to make jewelry from a well known Denver based jeweler. I love how collaborative everyone I encounter is and I’m just so grateful! Their lack of scarcity shows that we can focus on holding each other up vs tearing each other apart and I just love that! Vibes so well with me as a person, ya know?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work is inspired by Art deco’s simple yet complex design and that of universal signs we see all over the world and beyond. This has translated so beautifully into my jewelry making in the way of textures and moons on anything I can put them on really! I’m most excited about rebranding my business and focussing more on my custom handmade jewelry! Creating did not always come easy to me. Life got in the way, being an illegal immigrant for most of my younger years proved to be a road block I never thought I would overcome and so my aspirations whittled away. Fast forward some years, my circumstances changed, I met my now husband, and his endless love and support have inspired me to create again. I’ve learned to keep my head up in life and to be grateful for where I am, in every step of each process.
I’ve always loved to paint and draw and so many would ask me if I would make jewelry. In my head I would tell myself I could never do that, till one day at the end of 2020 another voice in my head said why not?! That’s when I reached out to Kate Wilkonson, owner and creator of Arcatus Jewelry and Arcatvs, and asked if she would consider teaching a couple lessons, she said yes, and months later here I am! I’m in love with all of the processes and steps of creating custom pieces. It’s so intense and time consuming and I LOVE it!
I’d love the world to see my jewelry and art and be blown away by its uniqueness. From the texture in my jewelry to the fine details in my art. My business is in its early stages and doing pretty well, and I can’t wait to do more! I’ve already accomplished more than the little Costarican me ever dreamed of and so now, I’m shooting for the stars!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We love going to the Waldschänke Cidery, they are a small family owned cidery and it’s one of our favorite spots, they also have puppy days during the summer and it’s so fun! We also love El Five, Linger and when they open back up, Ophelias! Bartaco is drool worthy. Oh and to get a gorgeous view of Denver, the restaurant at the top of the Source Hotel.

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?
My husband has been so supportive of all my artistic endeavors and I would not be where I am without him, love you babe! Kate Wilkonson, my mentor, thank you so so much for taking the time to teach me and guide me, I’m honored that I’ve had the opportunity to learn from such a brilliant jewelry artist. Alycia Scantland, thank you for connecting me with all the babes and for believing in me from the very beginning! To Lexie Baker, thank you for helping me create the most gorgeous logo! If you need a logo or some rad art, seriously, check her out!
Sydney Yancy, Neicy Wagner Geise & Christine Cereghini, my ride or die babes, I love y’all so much, thank you for your friendship and support! And lastly, my therapist, without my mental wellness and your support I wouldn’t have the capacity to be confident and love myself, so thank you!

Website: www.fernandadurmer.com

Instagram: @universal.deco

Image Credits
Corinna Lander Alycia Scantland

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