The Heart of the Arts: Julie from The ZEN DEN

Julie from The ZEN DEN

by Christina Romeo

I was first drawn to “The Zen Den” because of the warm atmosphere, colors, and the two inviting chairs in the center of her booth. Between the chairs, situated a wooden side table that featured books Julie was just getting her hands on. She was all smiles and positive spirits when I came over, and immediately introduced herself and her work. Her contagious spirit led me to get to know her more as a person and as an artist.

Julie first worked for a jewelry designer, Juliette Campbell, many years ago, and she “taught her everything she knew about her craft.” She worked in bead stores from then on. She loved the gemstones in particular because she has been always drawn to them, as she describes it, on a “good vibe level.”

She started making jewelry because it was meditative and her creative outlet. She does “many other creative things,” but this is what she lives for. She particularly lives for Arts In The Plaza because she absolutely loves it. She has been here for several years and always looks forward to it—and not just to make money. She looks forward to meeting fellow artists. Arts In The Plaza brings people who “really appreciate hand-crafted,beautiful things.” Out of everything that she makes, she loves making tassels. She makes them with silk cords, different beads, and was looking to make one with a Hindu goddess.

As for her art, she transitions easily because she gets bored and “unenthused” with her work over time. She ventures into the media to get different ideas and muses. She looks into magazines, television, or even people she sees to draw more inspiration to help her continuously develop her creations.

As for her other passions, music is where her heart is. She has been practicing with “Stormy Wednesday,” and recorded a song she wrote in his studio named Studio Noir. She described the song, with a smile emerging from her face, as “slammin.” She has George on saxophone whose “killin’ it.” She’s hoping that if it isn’t this summer, then by next summer, she can sing it at Arts In The Plaza. Julie says that it would “be her dream,” and it’s her “short term goal right now.”According to Julie, there is “Always a good vibe to catch, baby!” at Arts In The Plaza.

If interested in any of her designs, you can contact her at SurfzenGEMS@gmail.com or by cell at 516-382-1239.

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Christina Romeo is a 20 year old Long Islander that studies English and Adolescent Education up in Albany. She has been writing creatively since she knew how to form sentences. She is ultimately dedicated to catering to the writers, poets, and English enthusiasts on her college campus. The club she is dedicated to gives opportunities for students to hone their writing skills and find their voice within the written word. When she isn’t organizing events, she is cooking cruelty free recipes and tending to her plants. She is endlessly passionate about the bridges between political science, literary criticism, environmental studies, women/gender studies, race, and philosophy. She is dedicated to serving her community, both by being a voice and active member within it. Contact her to write for you at christina.romeo5@gmail.com or visit her website here.