Hi there — welcome to my very first blog post. If you’ve just discovered me, my name is Oriana, or Li Ying in Chinese. I’ve been working as a jewelry designer for about six years. I recently made one of the biggest decisions of my life: to leave my job. Now, I dedicate myself fully to designing and creating handmade silver jewelry under my brand, Unsome.
I’ll also be sharing a video alongside this post (scroll down to watch) — because sometimes the best way to connect is face to face. But here, I wanted to share my story in writing too, for those of you who love to read and reflect.
From Designing with Gemstones to Learning the Bench
For years, I designed bespoke jewelry with gemstones of all kinds. It was beautiful work, but along the way, I found myself craving a deeper connection to the process. That’s when I started teaching myself silversmithing and even a little gemstone cutting.
Working with silver at the bench — hammering, soldering, polishing by hand — opened a whole new world for me. I fell in love with the slow, imperfect rhythm of craft. In a fast-paced world, it felt grounding to create something tangible, lasting, and meaningful.
This is where my passion for artisan jewelry truly began: not just designing on paper, but shaping metal with my own hands.
The Leap Into Handmade
Recently, I decided to quit my job so I could give my full focus to what I love most: designing and making jewelry that tells a story. Each piece I create is meant to carry emotions and meaning — turning ideas into something you can actually wear.To me, jewelry isn’t only about decoration. It’s about connection. A ring, a pendant, or a pair of earrings can hold a memory, a feeling, or a personal reminder of strength. That’s what I want my work to embody: meaningful design that resonates on a personal level.
What “Unsome” Means
The name of my brand, Unsome, comes from the idea of embracing the parts of ourselves that don’t always fit in. We all carry pieces of ourselves that feel different, misunderstood, or even fragile — but those are the very qualities that can be transformed into something strong and beautiful.
I designed my logo around this idea: a small boat facing big waves. To me, it’s a symbol of courage, of the quiet strength it takes to keep moving ahead even when life feels overwhelming.
My very first pendant design is based on this theme. I created it in silver, and in my next video, I’ll share the process of how it came to life.
Looking Ahead
This is just the beginning of my journey with Unsome. Through this blog and my YouTube channel, I’ll be sharing:
- Behind-the-scenes of handmade silver jewelry making
- My design inspirations and creative process
- Thoughts on slow fashion and why handmade matters
- Stories about the meaning behind each piece
If you love artisan jewelry, value slow fashion, or simply want to follow the journey of a maker learning and growing, I’d love for you to stay connected.
Join Me on the Journey
Thank you so much for being here with me. You can watch the full video below to hear me share this story in my own words.
If you’d like to explore more:
- Subscribe on YouTube for new videos.
- Follow on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments.
- Visit the Unsome Website to see my work.
Until next time — stay true to yourself, and keep moving forward.
