Firstly, how are you?
Doing well is harder work than usual, but I'm pretty resolute about it. I'm giving myself what I need to feel good, given the circumstances. As long as I know what that looks like, I'm doing it. This is a long way of saying I'm adapting, and I'm good!! How are you?
Who are you?
I'm Jess Hannah Révész, founder/designer of J. Hannah and Ceremony, lover of flea markets and vocab words that I often forget.
What’s your sign?
Taurus Sun, I forget my moon and rising. Virgo is one I think :)
Where do you feel most at home?
At the start shelter in place, I might have said my office! I put a lot of TLC into that space and spent so much time there. I've been there longer than at my current residence! I miss it, but staying home has also been a good pivot for me. I'm focused on the nesting process and have been cycling out furniture and rearranging things. Mostly due to my habit of stress craigslisting…
Morning rituals?
Coffee or tea in my backyard, a bowl of oats, taking my dog Ruby for a walk.
Pantry must-haves?
Furikake, Soba Noodles, Chunky Peanut Butter, Fungirl!
Something you love to indulge in?
Sweets, massages.
How do you like to exercise your body?
Yoga, Pilates, Dance, hiking/walking with Ruby
And what about your mind?
Alterity and growth go hand in hand. I feel mentally stretched when engaged in conversations that challenge me, or through exposure to new experiences or ways of thinking. Podcasts are a treasure trove for this, especially since my ADD doesn't afford me the focus to read anything beyond "chick lit". For the record, I resent this term and there are some excellent books that fall in this category.
Gold or silver girl?
Gold... mostly
What’s your one jewellery piece you never take off?
Duet Signet on my pinky and double Strata Hoops
What do you do for fun?
Look at Craigslist furniture! This is fun until the consequences of collecting start to bloom. Even then I enjoy the puzzle of how to fit another end table into my house.
Name a book everyone should read.
Priestdaddy
Name a film everyone should see.
13th if you haven't already! Really opens your eyes to the alarming magnitude of our prison industrial complex. And will throw in The Handmaiden for fun, in case you're into erotic psychological thrillers…
Name a restaurant everyone should dine in.
Kensho
Where do you find inspiration?
We post a lot about the historical origins of our jewelry, which is often an elaboration on traditional pieces. Historical jewelry was often functional as well as decorative, so I like to name that original purpose. I find that my designs are very influenced by living in Los Angeles - I like things to be easy and casual, even though they are wrought in fine materials. Furniture and interior design always get me going. Shout out to Craigslist again!
What does creativity mean to you?
Creativity in my world is the recognition that objects have identities and engage the duality of form and meaning. I think if you enjoy playing with how aesthetics or form cultivates more than just physical quality then you are a creative. No matter the media you're working in, you're designing an experience. Half that experience is determined by the viewer, reader, wearer, or whoever picks it up after you put it down.
If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
This is a tough one given the current circumstances... While ideally, I'd love to say something fun like the beach in Italy or the south of France... At the current moment, I'm actually longing most to hug my best friend and have dinner in her home. She's been sick for several months now.
How do you create work-life balance?
I'm pretty good at blocking out time so that relaxation feels distinct from work. This is necessary since I enjoy my work and it can easily blend with my more recreational activities. I have office hours, but I make a point to go out and enjoy the fresh air, or spend time reading in my backyard. Really soaking up that time makes it easier to hunker down in the home office.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know it's normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions." -Ira Glass
Screenshot your most recent saved photos on Instagram.
It's honestly just infographics and memes at the moment, not too cute
Do you have a favourite medicinal mushroom?
This isn't really my forte, to be honest! But I want to say Lion's Mane because I think that's an ingredient of this focus tincture I like by my friend's brand Zizia Botanicals. I do also enjoy images of the pink ones, whatever those are :)
Tell us your favourite way to enjoy Fungirl.
As an excuse to eat chocolate for breakfast :) I added one square to hot coffee with milk the other day and made an improvised mocha!
Can you share a little something with us? A recipe, daily practice, DIY tip…
DIY Tip: If you have a bottle of wine that needs to be chilled as quickly as possible, wrap it in a wet paper towel and put it in the freezer.