Deep Dive | Tracy Whipple of Radiant Rituals
Jewelry-maker Tracy Whipple of Radiant Rituals whips up gorgeous brass and crystal earring confections that never stick around long in the shop. We dropped by her West Sedona studio to watch her in action, chat about her process and gather her crystal wisdom.
How did you start making jewelry and what’s the first piece that you created?
I’ve always had a craft that I do in my spare time, usually it’s something to sell. In the past It had mostly been clothing. Just before making jewelry I got into making macramé plant hangers. I was doing that for a while but it wasn't a very compact craft. I started traveling in a small trailer with my now husband about three years ago and needed a craft that I could do in a small space. I had this necklace design in mind that I really wanted and couldn’t find one to buy anywhere. I was in a crystal shop in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico and saw a clear quartz that I wanted as that necklace, I went to Walmart (which was the only option to buy chain in that small town) and bought some chain and my jewelry business was born. Since then, I have sold many necklaces in the same design. After that, I branched out into earrings, which I actually make more of now than necklaces.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Most of my best ideas come to me when I’m looking at crystals and beads in crystal shops and bead stores. While we were traveling I would look up shops in every town we were passing through. I would see a shape or a kind of crystal and get an idea of what other pieces I would like to have with it. I also buy all of my earring findings on Etsy from other small businesses. When I’m looking at all of the offerings designs pop into my mind. Sometimes I still remember them when the pieces actually arrive and sometimes I don’t.
What’s your favorite crystal to work with?
My favorite crystal is the crystal that began it all just a simple, clear quartz point. I really love the elegant simplicity of clear quartz. My favorite is to find a small crystal shop and dig through a little bin of their clear quatrz to find the perfect ones that I want to incorporate in my jewelry.
Is there a story behind the name ‘Radiant Rituals’?
The name Radiant Rituals came to me when I was doing a 28 day yoga teacher training in Baja Mexico.
It was the name I came up with to use for my yoga business, and when I started making jewelry, I thought wow this name really works well for the jewelry. To me a ritual is anything you do with intention, mindfulness, and repetition. It’s a way to bring the sacred into any daily practice.
Why Sedona, what has it taught you and do you think the energy here contributes to your work?
I have a long lasting love for Sedona. I moved to the area in 2009 after graduating from college in Portland Oregon. Growing up in Tucson Arizona I visited a lot and was always so mystified by the red landscape. From 2009 to 2016 I lived in Sedona in Cornville and loved my life here so much. Being an adventurous person I thought well life here is really great but what else am I missing out on? From 2016 until this past year, I spent a lot of time traveling and seeking somewhere that felt more like home to me than Sedona. In all of my searching I didn’t find that. When my husband and I decided that we wanted to have a baby, I immediately felt that that needed to be in Sedona. So we moved back six months ago and are expecting our new addition in August of this year.
Sedona is where I first was introduced to crystals and the beauty and magnificence and energy they emanate. Being surrounded by the power of the red rock has been very inspiring for me. I feel very uplifted and creative living here. I’m so grateful to call Sedona at my home and don’t take it for granted, not one day.
Tracy’s jewelry can be found in our shop, and on her website https://radiantritualscreations.com. Follow her on instagram @RadiantRituals_Creations
