Meet Alexa, a cool inspiring human with a very cute husky named Akela. Alexa decided to ditch her corporate day job to pursue her passion of saving the oceans through her jewelry design. I have been lucky enough to watch her grow her business into what it is today and find her voice in the fashion industry.
Q: Tell us about your business?
A: From Isla is a fine jewelry brand that encompasses all things ethereal. I make 14k gold jewelry with an ancient process called lost wax casting. Using this technique allows me to create whimsical designs and organic textures reminiscent of the sea. All the jewelry is handmade in my little studio set up inside our apartment by the beach. Now that I work from home, Akela has become my not-so-little sidekick. She keeps me company during the day and always reminds me to take breaks. It can be difficult to separate work life from homelife sometimes. Luckily, I have Akela there to cuddleIf I get anxious or play with when I’m feeling stuck, she really is the best coworker!
Q: How did you get into jewelry design?
A: I started making jewelry to raise money for ocean conservation back in 2014. It was my hobby for years! I would make seashell necklaces and wire wrapped crystal bracelets, I did that for a long time! Then slowly my skills grew and my passion for making jewelry became stronger and in 2021 I took the leap to make my side hustle my full-time job!
Q: How did Akela come into your life?
A: Akela unexpectedly came into my life about 4 years ago! I was working as a swimwear designer in an office. My team and I were waiting for our fit model to arrive so we could do a fitting for some new suits. She called us and said she was going to be late because she pulled over on the side of the highway to scoop up a neglected dog. When she brought Akela into the room I knew she was going to change my life forever. She was very malnourished, didn’t have a collar or a chip, and was covered in fleas and ticks. Our fit model had to leave town that weekend and asked me if I could take care of her until she got back. Of course, my boyfriend and I absolutely fell in love with her. By the end of the weekend, it was decided Akela had found her home with us and we’d keep her. We were so ecstatic!
Q: Were you looking for a dog?
A: We weren’t really looking for a dog when Akela burst into our lives, but I had always wanted a husky.
Q: What tips would you tell anyone that adopts a dog with an unknown background?
A: Be patient, navigating different temperaments can be very challenging at first. I think the most important thing to do is to make sure you give your dog plenty of love and exercise. A tired dog is a calm dog.
Q: How did you help calm Akela’s anxiety?
A: Akela had bad separation anxiety for the first couple months. So, we watched YouTube videos on separation training and did lots of research on how to help her become more confident being alone. It took time but she is a much more relaxed dog now. Having a dog that is confident is the key, when your dog is anxious all the time, that’s when aggression can become a real problem. It’s so important to us that Akela has good behavior inside and outside.
Q:What have you learned from Akela?
A: Akela has taught us so much as dog parents. She has taught us how to be more responsible humans and we’ve learned to be more patient. Akela has shown us the importance of connection, spending time outside, and always remembering to have fun!
Thank you Alexa for spending your time sharing some of your story with us. Do not forget to check out her site www.fromisla.com to shop for some cool pieces while helping her save the ocean.