Hi!
Thought I'd introduce myself, name's Melissa - the dreamer (and doer) behind LEAP STUDIO. This little labor of love has been 9 months in the making and I'm so glad you stopped by.
Jewelry has always played a role in my life and in many ways, launching LEAP STUDIO feels like a full circle moment. Fun fact: I was rejected from art school years ago because I failed the drawing test (joke's on them, my drawing skills are still questionable) but it was my jewelry portfolio that convinced them to give me a chance. Over the last two decades, I've dabbled in jewelry making (mostly beaded accessories) but this year I wanted to explore making jewelry from scratch. That curiosity led me to discover the wax working technique. I decided to take a chance on myself and invest in learning this new skill. Found a metalsmithing studio in New York City offering classes, booked a flight and the rest is history.
Why the name LEAP STUDIO? My life has been marked by many moments where I've had to take leaps of faith—some big, some terrifying, but all worth it. Those moments have proven time and again that there is so much more on the other side of fear. So when it came to naming the brand, I wanted one that embodies the same spirit. When the name first came to mind, I doubted I could pull this off so I shelved it in my folder of ideas labeled 'someday'. Fast forward a couple of weeks later, I was stepping out of a store and there it was on a random street in New York City. The sign I needed.
After months of sweat, blood and (a lot of) tears, here we are.
If I'm being honest, my goal isn't to be the next Tiffany's - I mean, if it happens, amazing. If not, I'm happy to continue creating just because. That said, my dream for LEAP STUDIO is for it to someday become a collaborative platform that supports and celebrates other makers' creative leaps. A community that roots for each other because at the end of the day, we're all just trying our best.
Right now, this dream feels delusional and I'm not really sure how it's going to happen, but I'm down to figure it out. So, here's hoping you'll stick around and make the journey a little less lonely!