Vanessa Barcus, designer and owner of Talisman Fine Jewerly, has sculpture inherently imbedded in all that she does. Her wearable art is inspired to be sustainable and minimalistic, as her Denver-based jewelry boutique showcases collections near and dear to her heart. Drawing inspiration from her “hippie” Boulder upbringing in the 80’s, to people, music and places, Vanessa’s eco-friendly and made-to-order jewelry serves as a conduit for the passing of energy and ideas.
Tell us a bit about Talisman.
Talisman Fine Jewelry is my collection of sculptural, heirloom jewelry, which is handmade in recycled 14K gold. The idea for Talisman really started back when I owned a boutique in Denver, called Goldyn. We sold a lot of fine jewelry at the store, in addition to sustainable and forward-thinking designer apparel, and eventually, it just made sense to do our own in-house line.
How has sculpture influenced your pieces?
I love the tactile nature of sculpture as an art form. My mother’s late first husband was a sculptor (Boulder-based artist Kim Field), and I grew up with his work and others’ around in the house. Perhaps that’s why it’s inherently imbued in what I do. I really see jewelry as just a smaller-scale, wearable version of sculpture when it’s done right.
What sparked your interest in the jewelry industry? What makes Talisman unique?
I see apparel and jewelry as sacred adornment. I think my mom instilled that in me. It’s how we communicate who we are, or who we want to be, to the outside world. I believe it’s one of the most important mediums for personal expression, and at times can even be armor. Jewelry, in particular, interests me because it has a timeless nature that can transcend trends, and almost always has some significance attached to it.
Although the Talisman Fine Jewelry collection is meant to include classic, everyday staples, it is definitely anything but “basic.” My signature aesthetic balances organic, wabi-sabi style, with clean, minimalist lines…perfectly, subtly imperfect.
Tell us a bit about your upbringing in Boulder—how has the Boulder community shaped some of your work?
I am definitely a Boulder kid, I’ll put it that way. My parents were both hippies, who came to Boulder in the 60s and 70s, respectively. My mom’s first place here was a cabin with no running water up Fourmile Canyon! Spirituality, art, activism and healthy living were a part of my life from day one. Now I value it more than ever.
What goes into creating sustainable jewelry? Why is sustainability important to your process?
In my opinion, if it’s not sustainable at this point in time, it’s not worth talking about. I don’t want to put new objects out into the world that create more waste or do something that is damaging to the planet. I go by the philosophy of “as you know better, do better.” I work with recycled metals and ethically-sourced or reclaimed stones. I hand-make all of my pieces using old-school techniques, and I always try to source responsibly when I do buy components. It’s why I work with solid gold in general; I want to make pieces that will be cherished for generations.
What is your vision, or goal, for Talisman in the long term?
Although I’ve been doing this since 2015, in my mind, Talisman is really still in its infancy with endless opportunities ahead. As Talisman’s retailer base expands, I envision getting to travel to beautiful destinations with the brand, meeting more inspiring people.
Equally important is the fact that the more the collection expands, the more I’m able to take creative risks and really define who I am as an artist. I want to really step into that artist self, hone my craft and aesthetic. I evolve as the collection evolves, growing more and more into a better version of myself. That’s always the real goal, isn’t it?
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