The lovely necklace was made by designer Gisele Theriault of The Barber's Daughter Studio in Toronto, Ontario. You recognize the beauty who is wearing it: the Grammy-award-winning songbird Alicia Keys. What forces converged to bring these two together? Let's go behind the scenes.
A HIGHER PURPOSE
Gisele Theriault, whom we know as a regular exhibitor at the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft, shared the story for Market Insider, with the gracious permission of Ms. Keys.
Chance meeting? Gisele believes there is no such thing.
She was invited to accompany a makeup-artist friend who had a gig working with some musicians -- an impromptu, private trunk show. The musicians bought several pieces, and word began to spread about Gisele's message jewelry, and also, about her dedication to her craft and her sense of purpose as an artist.
See, it's not about the bling or the pursuit of a celebrity endorsement: Gisele did not hire an agent or loiter at the recording session door or stalk stars like paparazzi. She just pursued the art that matters to her, with a zeal that comes from knowing in her heart that this is her purpose -- to make beautiful jewelry with a message to inspire others to live their lives to the fullest, to seek peace and to make the world a better place.
WORD OF MOUTH
She found a receptive market for her art among fellow artists who appreciated the higher purpose of talent and her willingness to strive to achieve the same. Word of mouth did the rest.
When she was introduced to Alicia Keys, there were more sales of jewelry, but also, lots of earnest conversations about art, goals and values. These led ultimately to the topic of a charitable foundation supported by the singer. Her charity, Keep a Child Alive, raises money for the child survivors of the AIDS pandemic in Africa, the region of the world most afflicted by the deadly disease. More than 25 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are infected with the virus that causes AIDS, according to World Health Organization statistics. Millions of adults have died, leaving an estimated 11 million to 13 million children orphaned and in many instances, living with HIV/AIDS, but lacking access to proper care. Keep a Child Alive raises funds that provide the expensive medicines needed by those young patients, as well as health testing, training for health care workers, counseling and medical facilities.
SHARED VALUES
Out of mutual caring grew a collaboration. Gisele made the necklace. The singer wore it in November 2008 during her annual fund-raising auction and celebrity ball for Keep a Child Alive.
"I dreamed that the necklace may fetch $5,000," Gisele said.
At the charity auction, it sold for $25,000.
INSIDER ADVICE
What advice does Gisele have for fellow artisans who want to see their work reach such heights?
-- Be true to your principles, your values, your art and your mission as an artist, so your work reflects a depth of honesty about who you are and what you're on Earth to achieve.
-- Relationships are built on trust and on a love of humanity. These are the foundations of business and of all of society. You have choices about what type of work you do, and what type of people you want to associate with, share your art with and do business with.
-- Use your talents to help make the world a better place and help others rise to their greatest potential. Doors that are meant to open for you will open.
Copyright 2009 Market Insider
Interview by Jean Thompson. Photo by Javier Agostinelli.