Conversations with Orzora Norman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Orzora Norman.

Hi Orzora, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Gabrielle Norman although I am professionally known as Orzora. I am 27 years old born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, I am a Jewelry Designer and owner of Oh Goddess O where I make handmade jewelry.

I have always been driven by the art of creating by hand and I opened my jewelry business in August of 2018. I received my metal-smithing certification on September 14th, 2021 and it marked a major changing point in my 4 going on 5 years as a Jewelry Designer.

When I began making jewelry, I already had a very successful candle-making business that I did for over a year and a half. I started crafting my own jewelry because I wanted to express myself at work when we started having to wear uniforms.

Slowly others started asking me where I got my jewelry and when I told others I made them that’s when I began selling on the side not thinking much of it at the time. One day, I sat to myself and realized how passionate I was about my creations and I became hooked!

Previously, I have had several different businesses that involved me crafting. I have always been hands-on in everything from my baking business where I made everything from scratch and I was popular due to my vegan alternatives, handmade clothing business which was all hand-stitched, candle business where they were hand-poured, and as a freelance artist with a love for black-smithing.

Over the years, my designs have drastically changed! In my first two years in business, I was making jewelry out of beads, yarn, wire, and shrinky dinks which is a plastic that shrinks 3 times its original size using a heat source. Right around year 3, I began using resin and that changed my life FOREVER! I started using the two-step method where you mix the two-part liquids, pour, and then wait 24 hours for it to harden.

Although I like to be able to see the final project the same day so I opted for the UV resin and it is a permanent part of my business. My goal has always been to create work that can start a conversation. I worked hard to be able to gain enough to start bringing in better materials such as stainless steel products that could last and be passed down if desired. I want to become a household name.

In order to help my business reach more people I joined a modeling and acting agency (John Casablancas) and graduated without missing a single day of classes in 2018. This means a lot to me because it showed my dedication to what I wanted to achieve and I succeeded. I wore all my work to every set, music videos, movies, TV shows, runways, photoshoots, and even rehearsals.

I have been featured on billboards in the city of Nashville and surrounding areas. I have had other models and actresses even Channel 5 News TV Anchor Vicki Yates wear my work live on television even featured on international television on the TV Ones Fatal Attraction by an actress and model named Chakara. My work has even made it overseas including in Sweden.

My main focus is to help every woman stay encouraged through the hard times and can see that no matter what is going on they can still look good going through it! I was raised “If you are broke, you don’t have to look broke!” So I create work that is beautiful, affordable, and one of a kind. The greatest part about making things by hand is that every piece I create may be a recreation, although none is exactly like the other.

I enjoy creating custom work because it gives me a chance to expand on my craft and push my creative limits. Since I am certified in metalsmithing I am able to create work using brass, copper, silver, gold, and many more metals in my work!

Being able to create rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and even body jewelry is amazing! My biggest motivation is my mother who has been in business since I was 1 year old (26 years) and Louis Vuitton because of how they both began their brands from the ground up. So due to my mother being my blueprint in entrepreneurship I too want to leave a legacy for my future children. They do not have to be in the same business as me although I would want them to have that same drive.

All in all, I am a 27-year-old jewelry designer who wants to spread enlightenment through my work which features Chakra, stones and crystals, animals, personal representation, and more. Anything to do with a spiritual balance is my go-to for all that drives me. I use Palo Santos or sage to cleanse my work before mailing it out to better ensure that the energy is nothing but positive.

I also hope to build a community of people who wish to do nothing but uplift and encourage each other in our daily goals. My desire for my business is to become that household brand that represents new beautiful beginnings and strength. My business motto is to stay elevated, and motivated and radiate confidence in everything that you do!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say that overall it has been challenging in regards to selling my work in the beginning. Once I started creating I saw there were so many styles that I personally enjoy, but not everyone was into them.

I would say only a handful at a time caught interest, but it would die down after some time. It took me a long time to find the style that would bring about customers.

Also finding companies to invest in my brand due to it not making a certain amount of revenue was difficult as well because I made under that minimum amount needed to be qualified. Plus, working my day job to pay for materials and equipment was slowing down my process of creation.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Jewelry Designer and owner of Oh Goddess O which is a jewelry-based business where I specialize in designing and crafting handmade jewelry.

I am able to carve onto various metals and turn them into wearable works of art! I am also able to use the techniques from my experience in resin to create waterproof jewelry in many bright and colorful styles! My specialty is truly on my ability to use every method to get to my goal in designing.

I pride myself in creating something that is truly one of a kind for a client who desires custom work. So what sets me apart as far as what I have been told is my great customer service.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
It always seems that when I truly desire something for my business around the corner comes the blessing I was praying for.

I do my part in trying to reach my milestones and when I am met halfway in a process I go even harder to maintain that and try to show nothing but gratitude even during those really rocky moments.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://oh-goddess-o.company.site
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ohgoddesso
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/OhGoddessO/