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

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always been an Artist at heart, constantly making things of all medias thru out my life. I started my business journey after becoming a mother of two girls close in age in 2021 thru covid. I needed an Outlet for my Mental health and to help support my family finically. I started making earrings and selling them at the Colorado Mile High Flea Market when i met a few individuals about vending and market opportunities. In just a short period of time Metal Morphic Studios was born. I am a Woman of many skills and traits and did not want to conform to societies small box. My business name has many meanings, i am a Silversmith/wire wrapper, metamorphic rocks are my favorite type of rock, i am a metal head who is constantly morphing and ever evolving with my art. There was so much trial and error learning the ins and outs of vending, collecting supplies, managing a website and finding ethical taxidermy work from other indigenous people across the world if not from me. In March 2024 i celebrated the start of the 3rd year anniversary of creating my business, reminiscing on this long, beautiful journey looking at how much i have grown and achieved. when you run a small business alone you realize that you have to acquire skills you didn’t even know you would need, website design, photography, shipping, and product quality. You take one thing at a time and learn new skills. having a positive and happy attitude, you can accomplish anything!! I want everyone to know that the medicine i create comes from a long line of Mayan white light mixed with my personal touch, how the teachings of our ancestors and what we know today combine to help heal the soul. I am excited to share Ethical animal medicine, giving new life to something so sacred that has walked among us, to give it a new life after death. I love to create for fun and for a meaningful purpose. I get into full regalia and weave my dreamcatchers in new moon or full moon energy only listening to Maya Taan chanting to fully channel the medicine i put into my work in hopes to heal others. I want people to know that when they buy from me or support my small business in anyway that i can help bring awareness to the resilience of the Mayan people, it is my duty to show love and support keeping these cultures alive in education and unity!
  

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.
Starting with a little shopping at my favorite art store of all time i would have to go to HR Meiningers. i would visit my favorite apothecary Terra Apothecary. Favorite bone and beads store ORRS Trading post!! My Favorite food would have to be sushi train or blue sushi, Thai Golden or any of the food trucks if you can find them. for our visiting needs i would definitely have to do the botanic gardens, the nature and science museum and the art museum. 100% would have to go to my favorite crystal stores Desert Gems and the crystal garden in Evergreen. Sound bath healing and a soak in the Himalayan cave at salt wave wellness. Take a hike and a drive thru the mountains and for the final touch i would go to the best venue on the planet, Red Rocks for a stellar show!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Danielle Boyer. I think this person deserves a shout out. She is designing robots to help teach indigenous languages to help educate and keep the cultures alive for the new generations to come.

Website: https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmetalmorphicstudios.square.site%2F&e=AT0mdmon6vw3PNl6Wyy38JlF0Z13Tr7Ct6T2DNtzpUxjllL9bz3iyFAwKPQPwG7hXnquyfaVPLy6mxUA475Ix7ZwBThcWWXqcJhz0Ds

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metalmorphicstudios/

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

Image Credits
Chelsey ray Light Photography Rays of Light Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.