Jessica Ilalaole - Creating Home in the High Desert

Jessica Ilalaole is a New Mexico-based artist who specializes in handcrafted jewelry inspired by the natural world and the landscapes of the American West. Through her online store CobraCult Jewelry, Jessica has built a loyal following of customers and admirers who are drawn to her uniquely stunning designs, as well as her authentic and unconventional lifestyle. Jessica’s personality is a unique mix of confident yet humble, social yet solitary, fiercely independent yet fully devoted to her friends and family-- a special blend of traits that have allowed her to create unique art and one-of-a-kind life.

Jessica grew up in Hawaii but now lives on a spectacular property in Northern New Mexico on the western slope of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Her jewelry studio looks out onto the mountains, and she and her partner Cody are in the process of building an adobe cabin from the ground up. But while the views are spectacular, their lives are currently fully focused on hard work-- home construction, jewelry making, and the day-to-day realities of running Jessica’s business. Their vision and work ethic are extremely inspiring, and it was a pleasure to meet and record this episode at the property.

We sat down in Jessica’s studio and had a wonderful and wide-ranging conversation. We started by chatting about the property-- how they decided to move there, how they acquired it, and their plans for it. We then talked about Jessica’s journey as an artist, and when and why she decided to make a go of it as a full-time jewelry maker. We discuss the influence of her parents, her artistic influences, her love of motorcycles and tattoos, and how social media has helped her to grow her business. We also discuss her commitment to positivity, the roots of her independent streak, and she offers some excellent advice for other aspiring artists. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, films, the best advice she’s ever received, and more.

Be sure to check the episode notes for links to everything. Hope you enjoy!

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 3:10 - Jessica describes her property
• 5:40 - Growing up in Hawaii
• 8:10 - Being considered a haole
• 10:10 - Source of Jessica’s independent streak
• 11:10 - Similarity to parents
• 15:55 - Early years as an artist and jewelry maker
• 18:00 - Decision to make jewelry making a full-time job
• 20:00 - Skills learned from taking jewelry classes
• 22:00 - Deciding to take become a full-time artist
• 24:10 - Challenges of working solo while being a social person
• 25:40 - Relationship with Cody and building their cabin
• 30:10 - Artistic influences
• 31:10 - Riding motorcycles
• 37:00 - Jessica’s connection to tattoos 
• 39:40 - Independent streak revisited
• 42:00 - Daily routines
• 44:40 - Exciting personal news!
• 47:30 - Long-term plans
• 49:10 - Influences or heroes
• 51:40 - Meaning of CobraCult
• 54:00 - Instagram’s role in her business and life
• 59:30 - Favorite books
• 1:03:00 - Favorite documentary
• 1:04:00 - Favorite location in the West
• 1:05:30 - Best advice ever received
• 1:09:30 - Advice for aspiring artists

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