Buddha Jewelry Organics for the “Halo” Design

Buddha Jewelry Organics took home the Technical Innovator’s Award for their “Halo” design. I had the opportunity to interview Katrina Wickersham regarding the history of their company and their inspiration for this design.

Marina: Tell us a little about the history of Buddha Jewelry Organics. Your website has a synopsis, but it sounds like quite a journey. Tell us more.

Buddha Jewelry Organics: In 1991 Rion began piercing and in 1998 began designing and carving wood jewelry for the original Organics company. During a trip to Bali in 2002, Rion started collaborating with local artisans and Buddha Jewelry Organics was officially established! In 2004 Rion and I partnered personally and professionally. I have always had a love for piercing and jewelry, but came from an international business/fashion background. We quickly realized that our design aesthetics both contrasted and complemented the others in a unique way, and thus the Buddha Jewelry Organics design perspective was born. We have three piercing and tattoo studios in the Seattle area, which give us a unique insight into the studio owner/ jewelry buyer perspective, as well as the end client’s experience. Between our studios and traveling often for our jewelry, Rion and I stay pretty hands on. When Cassidi joined our team in 2013, she elevated BJO to new heights. BJO really is a team effort and that collaboration has a wonderful impact on both the direction of the company and our jewelry designs.

Marina: How has that unique history influenced the company you are now?

Buddha Jewelry Organics: We express who we are as people and what we love about life through our jewelry. We love to travel; we love to study cultures both traditional and modern, people, architecture, landscapes, art. We find inspiration everywhere, and love translating our experiences into new designs. Nature is an element that strongly influences our jewelry. Rion and I initially connected over our shared passion for outdoor activities like snowboarding, surfing, and hiking. We have a huge respect for the inherent beauty of natural materials and often our jewelry is about showcasing that in a progressive, wearable way. I design jewelry that I want to wear, usually from a more couture point of view. Rion is definitely more innovative and comes up with the most amazing ideas. We definitely inspire each other. Cassidi has also brought a new perspective and has had a great impact on our designs as well. There’s definitely a synergy, we’re super blessed to have the small team we do.

Marina: What was the inspiration behind the “Halo” design? What makes this design unique?

Buddha Jewelry Organics: We are slightly obsessed with stones and crystals… shocking right? I have a very edgy, high-fashion point of view and Rion is insanely creative. Our goal was to showcase the raw beauty of the crystal- line structure and the stone, but in a very modern structural way. We played around with different variations and combinations until we just knew that we had something we wanted to wear every day. For us, that’s the win.

Marina: Buddha offers a diverse collection of styles. Do you all have any personal favorites?

Kat: I have so many personal favorites, when you design something and see it brought from an idea to a physical creation it’s a sort of birth, and I get attached to those designs. I’m a nerd, I can’t help it. Right now I’m really into our Osiris weights for everyday and of course my pair of Halo weights.

Rion: I wear the Idol plugs almost every day, or the Luxe weights. I also really love the Deco fans.

Cassidi: I love the Muse hoops, I’m obsessed with the crystalline rawness mixed with the streamline metal.  I also really love the Deco weights, I can wear them to work and a fancy event, they look great anywhere. I really love anything vintage inspired.

Marina: As a well-known and established jewelry company, do you have any words of wisdom you’d like to share with up-and-coming manufacturers in our industry?

Buddha Jewelry Organics: Stay true to yourself and your style. The wonderful thing about jewelry is that each designer brings a unique perspective and adds a new dimension.

Marina: Is there anything else you’d like to share with The Point readership?

Buddha Jewelry Organics: We’re just really grateful for all of the continued support! We’re excited to see our industry evolving and look forward to sharing our new collection with everyone!