"Art has always been my passion ~ Color is my obsession and while my focus of expression has changed some, my desire to create has not."
The studio is named after my two precious daughters, Francesca Mei & Annabelle Faith ~ for these two girls inspire me every day to be the best that I can be & to live life to the fullest.
"If you can imagine ~ You can create" This is what I express to my children every single day....
Seeing how creating is truly so important to me ~ I have always dreamed of having my own art studio. Back in 2001, my first studio was established, Shelly's Impressions, and by 2004, many of my original paintings & drawings were being featured {and sold!} in galleries all around the world. Once we started our adoption paper work for our oldest, Francesca {back during the Fall of 2004}, I became "consumed" with bringing my daughter home, so I "took a leave of absence" from the art world & retired Shelly's Impressions. Four years - two adoptions completed - and another one being worked through the paper chase - later, I felt a calling within me to create {again}. I started drawing & painting again, and started something totally different from anything I ever did before ~ designing {one-of-a-kind} jewelry. It was here that I felt that I could truly express my visions of imagination while still being able to be a” hands on” mom. So after months of planning, discussing and preparing, Mei Faith Studio was born {est. 2009}. Two months later, I opened my etsy shop featuring all that the studio had to offer. I remember the day I had my first sale here on etsy. It was within 2 weeks of opening the studio's shop & ever since then, I have been striving to design and create an unique & flawless collection ~ that continues to grow & expand today.
The question I get asked the most is, "How come jewelry?" Well that one is easy, I have always had a passion for fossils, minerals, and gemstones since a very young age (and yes - I had a rock collection). The colors, the forms, the textures - everything about these amazing pieces that were created because of time, pressure and "Mother Earth" - had me exploring, collecting, and wanting to know more about each discovery I made. As I grew older, I loved wearing these precious gems! My collection is truly unlike no other and I discovered I had an eye for "recreating" pieces I acquired that didn't fit my expectations as well as designing new ones too. When family & friends start asking me about the unique pieces I was wearing, they were not surprised to hear that I was the one who created them. It was then that I started researching ~ once again ~ about "rocks". I must admit, I am very picky when it comes to selecting gems/precious stone to be featured in a piece from the studio's collection. There are times I'll purchase a strand of 30 precious stones from one of my gem brokers and out of that strand, I may only use 8. If the quality isn't 100% there, I will never use that gem or stone (not only in my personal collection but {{most of all}} the studio’s pieces as well). That is the one thing I can promise you about my studio & my designs, you will only get the best because you deserve the best!
Recently my studio has been taking a few different directions. Only a short time ago, I added some amazing photography pieces that have been taken during our many travels around the world (including our adoption journeys to China) & the studio's very own hand crafted unique mosaic suncatchers. The studio's own creations are also currently featured in a local boutique here in the DC area and I have been asked to have a few of the studio's original jewelry creations be included in a fashion show here in the DC area as well. If you have visited my etsy shop in the past, please be sure to stop by again for I have recently updated all photos displayed & added many new creations that I am sure you will enjoy!
I know this is only the beginning & I can't begin to imagine where this all can go - but I can surely dream, hope and keep creating....
It is because of etsy that my studio has truly become 'a name' that is well- known today for its craftsmanship & designs. But most of all, etsy has given me the opportunity to meet so many other amazing artists, creators and visionaries from all around the world that I not only can relate to but became close friends with as well. Etsy is truly one amazing community that I am so proud to be a part of!
I truly hope you all come along and join me for this amazing & sometimes crazy ride as we move forward and see where Mei Faith Studio will go....
Sincerely, Shelly Pompey Leonard Mei Faith Studio
