Alexa Martha Designs
An Interview with Jewelry Designer Alexa Martha Butler
At USA Handmade, we’re honored to showcase the stories and passion behind our community’s most talented artists. Today, we’re excited to feature Alexa Martha Butler, the creative force behind Alexa Martha Designs. Her journey - from family legacy to spiritual awakening, and from goldsmithing in Germany to building a meaningful handmade brand in Montana, is truly inspiring.
In this in-depth interview, Alexa Martha shares her artistic evolution, the heart behind her brand, and the daily joys and challenges of life as a maker. Read on for the story behind her favorite pieces, her thoughts on “handmade,” and what’s coming next for Alexa Martha Designs.
Q: How did you get started as a jewelry designer/maker?
My journey into jewelry design began with a family legacy. Born into a German jewelry-making family, I grew up surrounded by tools and the art of jewelry making. I eventually earned a journeyman's degree in goldsmithing and jewelry design. After moving to Montana, I launched my jewelry business, Lexi Butler Designs, in 2015, which was later relaunched with a new domain and became Alexa Martha Designs in 2020.
Q: What inspires your designs and creative process?
My creative process involves letting ideas develop in my head, then sitting down to create what I envision. I combine my formal training with techniques like bead weaving and wire wrapping to create my original designs. My work stands out due to its attention to detail, quality craftsmanship, and innovative designs, especially in copper and silver jewelry.
Q: Can you share the story behind your business name?
I previously operated under the name Lexi Butler Designs. However, after a period of personal growth and a spiritual awakening, I felt inspired to reclaim my birth name, Alexa Martha, and rename my business accordingly. I had disliked my name previously, but learned to love it after being saved in the desert.
This shift marked a deeper connection to my purpose and a desire to create a business reflecting my values. Alexa Martha Designs was born out of a need to break free from the past and embrace who I was meant to be, a journey that involved recognizing my purpose and passion in life. The renaming also coincided with my being inspired to dedicate my work to helping abused children and survivors, a cause close to my heart as a survivor myself. My jewelry designs often incorporate symbolism to convey compassion and hope.
In essence, the name change from Lexi Butler Designs to Alexa Martha Designs signifies a personal and spiritual transformation, grounding my artistic creations in a deeper sense of purpose and a commitment to making a positive impact.
Q: What’s your favorite material to work with and why?
As a passionate jewelry designer and featured Wire Sculpting Artist, I'm renowned for working with high-quality materials. While I utilize a range of materials, including pure copper, new and recycled sterling silver, 14K gold fill, and various gemstones, I have a particular fondness for sterling silver and copper, especially for my wire sculpted designs. The combination of sterling silver and copper's workability and beauty, along with my skill and passion for creating meaningful pieces, makes them my preferred materials for my unique jewelry designs.
Q: What does “handmade” mean to you?
For me, "handmade" signifies a commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and uniqueness in my jewelry designs. It means each piece is meticulously crafted by my own hands, using techniques like wire-wrapping and attention to detail, rather than mass production. It also implies a personal touch and a connection to the artistic process, with each item reflecting my passion and dedication to creating beautiful, lasting pieces.
Q: How do you source your materials, and why is sustainability important to your brand?
Alexa Martha Designs prioritizes ethical and sustainable practices.
Transparency and Traceability: Acknowledging the complexity of the jewelry supply chain, where materials like metals and gemstones are mined and processed in various locations, Alexa Martha Designs is committed to ensuring transparency and traceability in our sourcing.
Ethical Labor Practices: Recognizing the potential for unethical labor practices in traditional jewelry mining, Alexa Martha Designs aims to avoid materials sourced through exploitation or illegal means, such as those linked to slave labor or conflict.
USA-sourced materials: We explicitly state that we source metals, including pure copper, new and recycled sterling silver, and 14k gold fill, along with gemstones, Swarovski crystals, beads, and other essentials from the USA, either online from US-based stores or locally.
Recycled Materials: She makes use of recycled materials, specifically recycled sterling silver and copper.
Q: What’s your favorite piece you’ve ever created, and what makes it special?
The Handmade As Seen On TV Jane The Virgin Sterling Silver Turquoise Wire Wrapped Earrings: These earrings were worn on the TV show "Jane the Virgin", which certainly adds to their specialness and allure. They feature intricate wire wrapping with sterling silver and turquoise jasper beads, creating a vibrant and elegant look.
A Special Edition Choker Necklace celebrating 25 years of love: This hammered sterling silver choker, adorned with Swarovski crystals, is a symbol of enduring commitment and is a luxurious statement piece. Its purpose to celebrate a quarter-century of love and milestones like enduring happiness and overcoming trials makes it special.
The Copper Hammered Textured Bangle: This bangle has been featured in Brides Magazine for five years as a top copper anniversary gift, indicating its popularity and significance for marking milestones. Its durability and health benefits also contribute to its appeal. 232 orders have been placed for these bangles so far from 1–7 bangles.
In addition, Alexa Martha's designs often incorporate faith-inspired motifs, adding a meaningful and unique touch that fosters an emotional connection with the wearer. The use of premium, ethically sourced materials also reflects her commitment to quality and values.
Ultimately, while there isn't one definitively stated "favorite," several of Alexa Martha's creations showcase her passion and craftsmanship, holding special meaning for various reasons.
Q: Tell us about a typical day in your studio.
A typical day might involve:
Creating jewelry in her home-based workshop: Alexa Martha is a metalsmith journeyman and a featured wire sculpting artist, designing and handcrafting jewelry from a variety of materials including copper, sterling silver, and gold fill.
Nurturing her business: As the owner of Alexa Martha Designs, she manages the business aspects, including design, creation, and marketing, possibly with the support of her husband, Mr. Alexa.
Connecting with customers and the community: Engaging with her online followers and participating in events like Michaels Maker Place.
Commitment to Ethical Practices: She prioritizes ethical and sustainable sourcing of materials, enhancing her reputation as a socially concerned company.
In essence, Alexa Martha's day is likely a blend of artistic creation, mindful craftsmanship, business management, and community engagement, all driven by a deep passion and commitment to creating beauty and meaning in her work.
Q: What’s the most challenging part of running a handmade business?
One of the biggest challenges for Alexa Martha Designs, as an online-only handmade jewelry business, is the lack of a physical storefront where customers can meet the owner in person and experience the products firsthand. This makes it difficult to establish a personal connection with customers compared to brick-and-mortar stores.
Additionally, the jewelry market is saturated with mass-produced, cheaper, stamped artisan jewelry, making it challenging for a small home-based business like Alexa Martha Designs to compete on price. As a result, the owner, Alexa Martha Butler, cannot simply lower prices to match larger retailers. This necessitates a focus on emphasizing the unique craftsmanship, quality, and story behind each handcrafted piece to differentiate the brand in a competitive market.
Alexa Martha also highlighted the importance of avoiding procrastination and the need to constantly learn new things, particularly when managing an online business independently. With approaching 60 and as being an empty nester there is plenty of time to keep schooling yourself and get better at what you do daily.
Q: What advice would you give someone starting their own creative business?
Starting a creative business requires careful planning and a strong foundation. It's crucial to validate your product or idea, understand your target audience, and have a clear business plan that outlines your goals, target market, and financial projections. Consistency, patience, and a willingness to learn are also key to long-term success.
Q: How do you stay motivated during tough times?
Practice mindfulness and self-care: Engage in activities that reduce stress and promote relaxation, such as mindfulness exercises, deep breathing, or spending time in nature.
Build a strong support network: Connecting with empathetic and understanding people can provide emotional support and encouragement during difficult times.
Set small, achievable goals: Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps to feel a sense of progress and accomplishment.
Cultivate a positive mindset: Focus on the positives in life, even when things are challenging, and practice gratitude daily.
In essence, building resilience, practicing self-care, and leveraging external support systems are critical for navigating tough times and maintaining motivation.
Q: Are there any other makers or artists who inspire you?
Nicole Hannah the wire weaver, because of her great talent. Other than that? No, Alexa Martha draws inspiration from above. She makes the jewelry from the designs she sees in her mind when given. From what she sees in her mind, she makes the jewelry, she just grabs the materials and makes it according to what she sees in her head. Alexa Martha's designs are often described as "faith-inspired," and some pieces are created to raise awareness for causes like child abuse prevention.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making jewelry?
When not designing jewelry, Alexa Martha enjoys painting with acrylics, composing music, and writing informational e-books. She also teaches classes and has released a relaxing music CD "#5 Time To Relax by Lexi Butler on Spotify."
Q: How has being part of the USA Handmade community influenced your work or outlook?
Embracing Individuality and Resisting Mass Production: In a market flooded with mass-produced goods, Alexa Martha Designs stands out by focusing on unique, handcrafted pieces, rather than striving for uniformity, according to The New York Times. This highlights the increasing appreciation for craftsmanship and artistic individuality, which is a key aspect of the handmade art movement. We are looking forward to becoming a vital part of USA Handmade.
Q: What’s next for Alexa Martha Designs? Any exciting plans or products on the horizon?
Alexa Martha Designs is releasing a new CD titled "Spontaneous Creations 'Different Kind of Season'" on Spotify on May 1st. The designer also has a new logo in the works and is focusing on handmade jewelry, including a special line for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness called HOPE. HEALS. HURT. She is also releasing new product lines and offers discounts for those who subscribe to her email list.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Music: A new CD, "Spontaneous Creations 'Different Kind of Season'", is available on Spotify. You can also find her music on her website under "My Music."
Thank you, Alexa Martha, for sharing your powerful story and the heart behind Alexa Martha Designs. Your commitment to craftsmanship, meaning, and giving back is exactly what the handmade community is all about. We’re thrilled to have you as part of USA Handmade and can’t wait to see your continued impact—through your jewelry, your advocacy, and your music.
Check out Alexa Martha’s work:
www.alexamarthadesigns.com
Follow on Instagram & Facebook: @alexamarthadesigns