This Brand Started With Bold Feathered Pieces And Transitioned To Beautifully Crafted Hammered Gems

We were so excited to speak to Anulikah Dawson, founder of an amazingly vibrant jewelry brand called Anukah Jewelry. Based out of a small studio in Dallas, TX, Anukah Jewlery offers unique artisanal earrings crafted by hand.

Check out this inspiring interview:

When and why did you start this jewelry brand?

I started my brand in 2010, which my first collection were feathers. It was during the time when everyone was wearing feather earrings especially the feather hair clips. That year, feather wearing was trendy. But my feather earrings really stood out from the trend. They were very unique like no earrings you seen before. It was actually wearing ear art made out of feathers. That was the very reason why I started my brand cuz I wanted to create pieces that stood out, that made a statement. That's who I am, so I had to put that into my designs. Another reason I started my brand is when I would go shopping for jewelry, I could never find anything that catch my attention. Alot of jewelry was blah to me. So I would take two pieces of earrings that I thought had some potential I bought and put together to make bigger and unique. People would always ask me where did I buy my earrings and I would say I made them. Then they would want a pair, so I decided that I should started designing for others cuz they saw the uniqueness in my creations just off some cheap earrings I put together to make look cool. I was always into big, bold pieces and at the mall noone sold jewelry like that. I think cuz most people are afraid of boldness. My earrings are bold and minimalistic for those who loves unique but simple. I always have to remember when creating, I'm not creating jewelry for just myself, but for others so I have make sure not to always make pieces so huge, for big earrings is not everyone's thing. However I do get a little carry away cuz that's really been my vibe. I just do both.

Photo by by Roneka Patterson

What materials do you use in your collections and where are they sourced?

Alot of jewelry I use mix metal, brass, copper and acrylic. All sourced in the USA handcrafted in a small studio in Dallas, TX.

What is your greatest inspiration for your collections

God! Haha Yes God first for God is such the designer that I'm so inspired by. I mean look around, so much beauty and inspiration is always around us that's been created by him for us. So basically nature definitely is my inspiration. I love trees, flower, plants, the sky, the sun and the moon. That's is where all my inspo comes from. For I have earrings made out of gold brass call Somansh meaning "Half Moon" and they look just like the moon in detail with it's hammer texture. They are my statement piece that are 5" long. So if you're one of those bold I wanna stand out types, you would definitely rock those for sure. Their my favorite pieces to wear as well.

Does being a Woman of Color influence your brand? If so how?

Yes! I feel when we see others that look like us being creative and successful it really can give you that confidence that "I too can do this" More and more women of color is being so successful and it's helping others to go out there, embracing who they are and do what they're suppose to be doing without feeling insecure or ashamed of their dark skin. Sometimes we need that extra push of someone like us showing us, it's ok to be you, to embrace you, your blackness and love what you do and with confidence. I get a lot of women of color appreciate me not only cuz I'm a woman of color but cuz I'm a women of color who is not afraid of being myself and creative who I am into my works. I hope to inspire others to do whatever they desire without having negative impacts holding them back cuz of their beautiful dark tones. We should always embrace every element of ourselves and put them into our creations.

How do you see the future of the ethical jewelry business?

I see it evolving more and more. The thing is people are appreciating sustainable products in their lives more than ever. We always want something that's natural, long lasting that we can cherish for years to come to pass down to next generations. We definitely need more of that in local Black Owned Businesses. I believe we're getting there fastest than we know.