To begin, it has been several years since my last post. Where do I even begin? A global pandemic, state shutdowns, inflation, and even two cross country road trips, alone (I’ll be posting about them soon) could not slow me down. I pushed and pushed until I made it to this moment right now, where I can finally speak about it. I look back with intense gratitude and a profound sense of accomplishment, so now let’s begin!
My journey began in February 2020, when I decided that I had enough of the east coast. I packed up my truck with my treasures and memories, donated everything else in my apartment, then I simply left. I drove four days across this beautiful country, in search of setting up new roots. I needed a fresh start, desperately. Work and family tensions peaked that year for me, and I wanted to escape. To leave all and everything I had ever known to seize my life and place it back under my own control. This was a mission I would not back down from, because it literally meant life or death.
The trip was indescribable. I felt emotions so deeply that through the entire drive to Los Angeles, I periodically pulled over to just cry from the sheer beauty and freedom I was experiencing. It was all therapeutic, freeing, and yet incredibly terrifying. I had no prospects, apartment or even a secure source of income waiting for me on the west coast, but I did not care. Since I could not force any guaranteed outcome for myself, plus battling the pandemic, caused me to depart shortly after I had arrived. I cannot begin to describe the disappointment I had in just about everything at this moment. I even attempted to set roots in the west the following summer and could not. After my second trip, I decided to stay on the east coast for now. Stay and do what my heart was pushing and calling for me to do, and that was focus on my business.
The brand is entitled GoldField. The name is a combination of my favorite metal and my paternal last name. It has been my brainchild and passion since 2009. After co-founding Sergio + James in New York City, I always knew I wanted my own brand, that worked with more elevated materials. GoldField is my small, beginners “stage” that will showcase all of the treasures I have collected over the past decade, and a prime space to represent my handcrafted creations to the world. In-between several unfulfilling and challenging jobs, I began to carve out time to organize my collection, work on samples and get ready for the brand launch.
I am living proof that you can experience failure, have no capital, income, or even formal education in a specific industry, and still pursue your dreams. These last three years I have been rejected in more ways than I care to share with you, however my inner strength carried me through it. At times I felt as though I had lost everything, yet I never lost my passion. My burning desire to be a business owner for the second time before the age of 35, finally came to fruition. You are capable. You are strong. You have experience. You WILL succeed. If you have a passion, GO FOR IT. Simple as that. Let nothing stop you.
GoldField was created in theory in 2009, however the online shop was officially launched in 2022. I am very grateful for the time gap. That time allowed me to continue working on designs and adding to my vintage/fine jewelry collection. My ultimate goal for GoldField is a physical boutique on the ground level, and my private residence located above. I want and will have the true “atelier” a studio, where I have free range to create, realize my designs, and cultivate my dreams.
I thank you all for still trickling in to view my little blog, and I am so excited to share my journey with you into the new year. If you are interested in my progression, stay tuned and check out my new social media accounts created to focus on my business and passions. Thank you for reading!
James Field – December 13th, 2022.
Check out the links to: The GoldField Shop on Etsy. The Instagram page of The Educated Jeweler & The Tumblr page of The Educated Jeweler, via the links below. 💜
The Black Nouveau 