-Hey homies, I'm Mira Flynn -and welcome to the Homegoings -YouTube channel.

-If you're new to the show -and you just -stumbled on our page, -hey, what's up?

-And if you're already a Home- -!goings listener, welcome home.

-Homegoing is a podcast -and a live event series -all about people, -super interesting people.

-!People who challenge our biases.

-People -who challenge my biases.

-!Sometimes you're going to see me -here in my home -studio in Los Angeles, -and sometimes you'll see me -out in the world -talking to people.

-Either way, we are going -to bring home to you.

-!So be sure to subscribe, chime -in with your thoughts -in the comments -and tell your friends.

-!We'll have a new guest for you -every other week.

-To kick us off -I talked with jewelry maker -Aman Itomi about how he's -bracing for the T word.

-Everybody -can't stop saying, tariffs.

-What I do is a -specialty -and it's not like food.

-It's not like gas.

-It's not things that people -need.

-Not essential.

-Right.

Luxury item.

-So I'll be the first one.

-Cut off the list.

-Aman Itomi -isn't a boastful dude, -even though his life is -something to brag about.

-Aman makes precious jewelry -and many of his pieces -!have been worn by celebrities.

-His work has even graced -the cover of Time magazine -!and his nickname in the jewelry -!world is the Basquiat of Metal.

-But when you talk to Aman, -he doesn't bring this up.

-He'd rather let -you know -!the kind of recent chemical he's -working with -to polish his silver.

-And that's because day -in and day out, Aman -!keeps his nose to the grindstone -at his home in the valley -in Southern California.

-Like literally cranking out -pieces of precious jewelry -that he's hand cut, handmade, -hand crafted, and hand -wrought by, -well, his own two hands.

-And now, right now, -those hands are tied -by Trump's tariff war.

-Needless to say, -Aman has been doing -a little doomsday prepping.

-I really think -about everything I do now.

-Down to the penny -!weight to the gram to the ounce.

-If it's gold, that -!could be another $200 instantly.

-From Vermont public -this is Homegoings.

-I'm Myra Flynn -and today on the show, -a conversation -with humble craftsman slash -celebrity -jeweler Aman Itomi -about how he's prepping -for Trump's tariffs.

-Im making a ring.

-Your making a ring?

-Yeah, a basic ring.

-We had this conversation -in my living room -in Los Angeles, and now it's -your turn to join us.

-We're a proud member -of the NPR network.

-Welcome home.

-I've heard that -!you are the Basquiat of metal.

-What's going on?

-Because that's that's not -!a little nickname at all, right?

-!That that's a pretty big deal.

-!How did you get this nickname?

-!Like, tell me about what you do.

-Well, I lived in Brooklyn.

-I did art in Brooklyn?

-I did art in Bedford Avenue.

-Park Slope, all over -all of the New York.

-Soho.

-I was at a party one time.

-And I was doing some charity, -charity work for the party.

-And I came and some guy -that was like in the music -!industry is like, the Basquit of -Metal is in the building!

-So it started like that.

-That was subtle.

-!Something like that, you know.

-Yeah.

-So, that's, that was that -sort of being my nickname.

-You But why do they call you -that?

-I make rings, -earrings, bracelets, chokers, -wedding rings.

-Anything really custom.

-I can make you a Honda.

-I can make you a Bentley, -is all on budget.

-I mean, okay, like, can we -I mean, what's -what are you doing Saturday?

-Working.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, yeah, I just -I just create, -what I see in my mind, -you know, -unless it's for somebody -!and they has something they have -in their mind, it -they want me to execute, -and then I'll make that.

-But usually I just make -what I think what I feel, -based on my vibe.

-And I just create it.

-And I'm lucky -!to have people that like my art -enough to support it.

-You don't -just make jewelry like, -around the house.

-You make jewelry for a lot of -really well known people.

-I mean, not to make you name -drop, but can you name drop?

-Yeah.

I'm grateful.

-!I'll start with the older crowd.

-Like my mom -would be proud of, my dad.

-Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, -Earth Wind and Fire.

-Oh, to name a few.

-Wow.

-Most def, -a lot of people, I did -covers for, like, -Little NAS X for the Time -magazine cover.

-Ive done -Billboard covers with -Maluma, -Jennifer Lopez.

-So I've been blessed to, -!have people really like my art.

-Yeah, yeah.

-!Why do you think you, you know, -why do you think they like -!what's unique about the jewelry -you make?

-I don't know, other -than when I was younger, -when I was in high school, -they had a -!program called Young American, -and it was basically, -architectural program.

-!And so if you when you come in -!first place to build your house, -I came in second place.

-I felt like I shoud have -come in first.

-But, that was when I was -in the high school, -and I never really, -!I didn't really have the support -to keep going in that, so -I kind of left that alone -but later, -became intrigued with jewelry -and -I just, -I feel like I was good at it -because I was very good -at doing architectural work.

-I just translated -that into my pieces.

-So, I have an old teacher -he did jewelry for -Ossie Davis, Ruby D, -Harry Belafonte.

-So we had the same birthday, -August 8th.

-So he feels like Im a newer -version of him.

-So, fellow a fellow Leo.

-Yes, yes, yes, yes.

-So, I feel like, I -kind of was made to do it.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Amazing.

-So when you're called -the Basquiat of metal, -what kind of metal -are you using?

-I mean, are you wearing -your jewelry right now?

-Yeah.

Okay.

All right, -all right.

-!So what kind of metals are you -!using typically that you need?

-Well I use -precious metals.

-!So I use like, silver or gold, -depending on what, -what they want.

-18 carat, 14 carat.

-I really work with those -sometimes if I feel like -if I work with nonprecious -metals, like, copper, but, -because I use a torch -mostly for my work.

-!So when you do not have precious -!metals, they give off a certain -chemical in the air.

-It is kind of poisonous.

-So I try not to use those -as much.

-So I just try to stick -!with the precious metals.

Okay.

-But just depending -on the project, -I would work -with a different metal.

-Okay.

All right.

-!So I kind of want to talk to you -about something -that's been largely affected.

-Maybe you're being largely -affected by right now, but, -metals -are certainly being affected -and that's tariffs.

-I feel like I am getting like -a history lesson -in them for the first time -in my life really right now.

-And you know, -they're a tax -imposed by a government -on goods and services -that are imported -from other countries.

-And so President Donald Trump -announced a 25%, -tariff on steel and aluminum.

-Out of China?

-Yeah.

-And, and and this is like, -not the first time -that he's done this, right?

-In 2018, Trump -also imposed a 25% -tariff on steel.

-So like metal -has kind of unequivocally -been hit first and hard.

-So yeah, I'm very curious.

-!Like specifically how but also -when you first -!heard that this was happening, -where did your mind go?

-Oh hell no.

-I was like, what?

-Because I know -what I do is a specialty, -and it's not like food.

-It's not like gas.

-It's not things that people -need.

-Not essential.

-Right.

Luxury item.

-So I'll be the first one.

-Cut off the list.

-!So you know it's great for art, -is great to have -something you can pass down -but people are not thinking -about that, especially -for working class people.

-Right.

Right right.

-Thats last thing -they would think about.

-So I definitely, I'm -!going to be affected, you know.

-Yeah.

-!I've been doing this since 2006.

-So I remember -when 2008 happened, -my business was never really -the same from that, -I was doing art shows at -!Capitol Hill at Eastern Market.

-But once the recession hit, -all those clients -that were buying rings -!that were like a couple hundred -!dollars, it just kind of never -!really, really got back to that -level, you know?

-The average person -wasn't scared to buy stuff.

-But after that my business - -it's a labor of love.

-Right, right.

-You ever hear of a -starving artist?

-Never, what are those?

-Yeah.

So Im not -starving but Im, -!I don't think I'm ever going to -!be rich off of this, you know?

-So it's -definitely a labor of love.

-And I went through situations -where, -I felt like, -something happened, and I was -like, you know, keep going.

-If I ever make $1 million, -$1 billion off of it or not, -just keep doing your art.

-So for me, -I'm going to try to do it -regardless, it's just -going to be harder.

-And I would hate to pass down -the, what what affects me -!to my consumer or to my clients.

-So that's -it's a bad situation.

-Yeah.

-Because -!even if you're worried.

Right.

-You see this on the news, -you see it's -coming down the pike and -!you're like, oh, I can see that -I'm not essential.

-!But you can't let your clients -see you sweat.

-Probably.

Right?

-You've got to kind of -still maintain, -I don't know, for me -!as an artist, like I'm an artist -and I feel like there's -this mystery -you have to maintain -all the time.

-And that can be -really exhausting -because you want to just talk -to people and be like, hey, -I'm going to business like -anyone else, like, you know, -and I'm worried about this, -but I don't know, -how are you showing up -for your main clients, -!especially high profile clients -like Earth, Wind and Fire?

-I'm a small business.

-Once my surplus dwindles -and I can't give them -a certain price, -they'll probably go -to a bigger manufacturer -in America to get it done -for a cheaper price.

-Okay.

-That's how it's -really going to knock me out -because once -I run out of my surplus -of everything that I have, -that's not already -has the tariff on it, -like the, like the, -the amethyst you're talking -about like the metal, -Even now, -say if I get a diamond -from overseas, -!if I get something from India, -say if the Stone is, -$1,000, right now -it would be -maybe an extra 5 to 6% on it.

-Just like that!

-Okay, okay.

-You know?

-So, I'm going to lose first.

-But if the a bigger -manufacturer has already -the surplus -once mine is, is dwindled, -I'm out of there.

-Right.

You're -out of material literally.

-Then I have to get it -from where I get it from.

-!And it's going to be a tax on it -and I have to put it -on my clients.

-So just by the surplus alone, -I'm going to lose.

-Right.

-And what does that mean -for what you be charging -your clients -like what would their price -difference look like?

-It'll probably be higher -than the bigger manufacturer -because I'm a small business.

-Yeah.

-I don't have the room -to cut corners -!or I just don't have it right.

-I'll be affected.

-!I'll probably be affected first.

-So are you doing -any like I'm interested in, -like imagining -what kind of prep work -you're doing in your business -right now -!for, you know, doomsday prepping -essentially, in a way, like -how are you preserving -!those little bits of materials -that you have leftover?

-And you know, -what does your work day -!look like that's different now?

-Okay, so there is this -thing called butterscotch -amber.

Right?

-Butterscotch.

Amber.

-Oh, I give you, like, -a lot of it.

-In Ethiopia, it's, -like a privilege.

-!It's like one of the number one -things -to have and adorn yourself -with right now.

-I know when I was younger -and I used to do jewelry, -I could find it -when I go to the trade shows.

-It was easy to get.

Then, -probably like ten years ago, -it was hard to find.

-A lot of copies that weren't -real were out.

-I was like, I'm not giving -my clients fake things.

-Right.

-So, I finally found some.

-Maybe three years ago.

-And the strain was thousands -!of dollars for a strand, before -!it could be like $1,000, $800, -but they already went up.

-Maybe it was like $3,500.

-How much is a strand like?

-That's much.

-!The strand is probably 32 beads.

-I'll send you a picture.

-$1,000 -for 32 beads?

-No, about $3,500 now.

-But its worth -something, right?

Right.

-But now, before, -when I was younger, -!because of the price I was, I'll -just cut it up and make stuff -and just utilize it, thinking -!I was going to get more.

Right?

-Now that its more of a -commodity to have it, -I really -I use it sparingly.

-Right.

-You know, so it's like, -!and I have to ask for the most -when I do it -because this is hard to find -and you don't know, -!you don't know when you're going -to see it again.

-I thought it would be -forever.

-Like I didn't know in my -lifetime, in my short -time of being a designer, -right, -wed be out of it -so fast, right?

-Now, even my quartz, -all the stuff I have -I really, when -it's time to do a job, -hopefully I have the stone -that the client wants.

-So Ill try to hold onto it -instead of just making art -just to make it, you know.

-So, I really think about -everything I do now.

-Awesome.

-!Down to the weight to the penny -weight to the gram -to the ounce.

-I really -you really have to calculate -in metal -what its going to cost?

-So if Im off two grams, -if it's gold, that -!can be another $200 instantly.

-Before I do -any creative work to it.

-So yeah, I have to keep -my eyes on the numbers.

-You're like doing math -in real time, like, you know, -before you even purchase -the thing, you just have to.

-Yeah.

-How much of this is prep work -right now?

-Doomsday -prepping for what you think -might happen versus -how much of it is actually -starting to happen to you -now, like, -have you tried to find -something, a resource, -something that doesn't exist -!or you can't afford it anymore?

-Probably like a week ago -when gold fluctuated, -!I didn't want to get anything.

-I wanted to wait.

-And any client, -I was talking to a client -about a wedding ring, -I was like, based on -what's going on, -if you buy today, -!it might be this price, right?

-Tomorrow -might be a little higher, but -I just can't say yes, -this is the price, -the final price.

-So I have to be in real time -and check whats going on -before I say its -finalized because like I said -I can be off two grams -and that's $200 right.

-That could be my budget.

-That could be my, -the money, my profit.

-So I can -actually put myself in a hole -!if I don't look at the numbers -!and what's going on, especially -with a bigger project.

-So how does all of this -make you view -I guess -like our current presidency -and like some of the choices -that are happening -in our government right now?

-Sad.

-Why?

-Because -most of the people I know -are good people -and they just want -to take care of families, -!they just want to have a life.

-They want to have a vacation.

-!They want to have a retirement.

-You know, -!they want to make their, their, -!their, family members proud and -this is -making people stressed out.

-I have people in my family.

-They're affected by -what's going on.

-Some are retiring early, -you know, -so, youre human, right?

-Yeah, I try, yeah.

-It affects everybody, right?

-Right.

In an own way, -you know.

Right.

-!The saving grace for me is that -I do things with my hands -and I do everything in-house.

-Most of the stuff, you know, -even with, -cutting my own faceted -stones.

Right?

-!I have, I have a janky machine -to cut my faceted stones, -but I can cut them.

-But, I'm -not the best at that.

-What is that, like -for those of us -who don't know what you mean?

-So say like a diamond ring, -a wedding ring, its -facetted.

-Okay.

-Different angles, -different corners.

-Because I thought faceted -would be like -!when the prongs, like, faceted -to the stone?

-A prong is not the stone.

-The prong is what holds it.

-Yeah, so I thought faceted -meant like that.

-It has a seat.

-It might be like a diamond.

-Yeah.

Okay.

-So I can cut stones but -I'm not a professional at it.

-Like I'm -not certified to cut it, -!but I can, and I don't want to.

-I'd rather get -the masters of that to do it.

-And sometimes they not here.

-But the good thing for me, -like I was saying, oh, -the saving grace is -I really make stuff.

-So I make it in-house.

-So that's going to save me -the least -when I when this happens, -I still can do it right.

-But some people, -if they get everything -from overseas, from India, -!if they get all their diamonds -like this, -I think it's a percentage of -I forget the percentage -from Europe on diamonds -now, but if they -they outsource everything -and they have -a big company that they run, -I feel sorry for them.

-Right.

-So I, I have been prepping, -make it yourself, you know, -it's American made and, -I'm proud of that, you know?

-So I think that's the thing -that's going -to help me get through -these hard times.

-Is your own two hands?

-And so actually, -I can bring it from idea -into reality without -a team to do it.

-Yeah.

That's amazing.

-And also, I can imagine -maybe a little daunting -on your production.

-Like you only have two hands, -you don't have 20, right?

-!So will it slow down production -for you?

-Yeah.

With larger orders.

-Definitely.

-It will definitely slow -down orders.

-And I tell people its art.

-So you got to kind of wait, -unless say, -!sometimes I have my website up -!where, if I'm not doing a lot, -I can pull the website -website up -!and they can go to the website, -they can buy, -the product is ready.

-But for anything -that they have to make, -it might be a waiting period.

-Like it is custom, right?

-Might have to wait like two -!months, three weeks, four weeks.

-!So it does is definitely going -to change.

-Yeah.

-So so far your -!what's changing on your clients -ends is maybe price -and maybe wait time.

-!And what's changing on your end -is everything -about how you make stuff.

-I mean it sounds like you've -!always known how to make stuff, -but you can't produce -as much as quickly.

-This makes me -think a lot about like, -how this might be happening -and coming for like all of us -right now in a way, right?

-We're going to have to learn -how to, not rely on, -on too much outside resources -!or sources or forces to help us.

-And so we're going to like, -start doing things.

-!I'm predicting maybe like more -in home daycares, right.

-Like more, more situations -where people lean -into their community members -like, hi, I'm Aman.

-My production -is crazy down right now -because of these tariffs.

-And so instead of, you know, -shipping that work overseas, -!I am going to ask my ten buddies -to help me out.

-Do you foresee, -like any of that happening, -like us -leaning into each other more?

-Yeah, I have a -!I have a son and, I, you know, -he has his own life.

-Yeah.

-But, sometimes -I have to get him to help.

-To keep it going.

-Yeah.

-Not big things, -but just things that will be -better if he can do it.

-Because I can focus -on the more important things.

-Right.

So yeah.

-Yeah, some help, but I think, -!like, maybe that's not so bad.

-Anyway, -!I don't think everything is bad.

-I just think how it's done -and how fast things are done.

-Yeah.

-We should have more products -made in America right.

-It should be like right -tomorrow.

-Right, right.

-We're going to have to lower -our expectations of pace.

-Yeah.

-It should be funded, -fund small businesses.

-Yeah.

Really fund them.

-Yeah.

-We know especially ones -that look like us.

-Yeah.

-Im creative.

Right.

-I can be a -Creative director.

-You know.

-But I'm not tripping -if I am or not.

-I'm my own creative director -for people that like my work.

-Right.

-But, I think -America has so much talent -and sometimes we just don't -!have the tools or the resources -to really to compete -with other companies or play -!other places around the world, -you know, but it's, -you know, your talented, -I know about you.

-Me?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

-Were uber talented -but sometimes -!we do everything on the budget, -right?

-It's a small budget.

-So imagine if we had -the resources in America -!to really do it, but it can't be -!like, tomorrow, I want you guys -We want to get everything -from here.

-Whos voice is that?

-You know, not my voice.

-Im just making it up.

-Somebodys voice.

-I just I just think things -need to slow down, you know?

-Yeah.

-Because -it's really affecting us.

-Yeah, but like, that's what -!I'm saying is like, maybe that's -maybe we're in desperate -need of slowing down.

-Yeah.

-I dont control -that, its out of my power.

-Right.

-We don't want to have -to be forced to slow down.

-But I definitely slow down.

-But, like, -maybe that might bring forth -!some new clients who have, like, -!a very special thing that, like, -they're happy to wait.

-I don't know, you know, -like, instead of, -like, the crank out -a bunch of jewelry for me -Aman, it'll be like, -I want that one butterscotch -amber -piece or whatever.

-Yeah.

-You know, we used to wait -But even getting -!the tailored suit, right?

Yeah.

-It might not be -!perfect the first time you come -to get your measurements.

-They try to look like, -!okay, get them away at the back.

-!So we gotta make that a little, -give you a little bit -more space for that.

-!So that is a tailor made thing.

-!So they should just be so quick -anyway, right?

-For me -!I feel like things are positive -and negative, theres pros -and cons to everything.

-There's pros -and cons of being an artist.

-Pros -and cons to working in, -in government.

-Right.

-I think is it -can't it could be good.

-But right now is not good.

-The way is rolling out.

-Right.

-You have a great album -but the rollout is terrible.

-Were dropping it tonight.

-you know, got it.

-No marketing.

-Prepping, get people excited.

-Yeah.

-Roll it out.

Feel like.

-!Yeah.

That's what it feels like.

-It feels like unexpected.

-!You don't want to have to change -your business plan -unexpectedly, right?

-You want to be able to -go to that trade -show the year before -and buy enough supplies -to get you through whatever.

-!you brought up something earlier -that you said, -!you know, especially for people -that look like us.

-And one of the things -I feel like as a Black woman, -as a Black person, -and I don't know -!if you feel this way, but just -that, like we were always -preparing for doomsday, -like, like we're always, -we're always skeptical -of systems lasting, -doing the right things by us.

-!There's a world in which, like, -we have built in skill sets -to take care of ours -and our own, -because we're always kind -of assuming -that the good times -won't, won't really last.

-How much of your Blackness -!comes into play with with this?

-I'm a 80s baby.

-Ive seen what -!crack has done to my community -and to family members -and friends of families -I grew up in it and have -seen it with my own eyes.

-I feel like I've always been, -!its a been at war against me.

-I feel like I've always been -on the bottom, you know, not -not spiritually -or anything like that, -but as far as how -the world sees me.

-So I feel like I've been -fighting my whole life.

-Like, -!even, like I said, in positions -that I could probably be -in, but I'm not going -to be in.

-!And I understand how the world -works from from where I sit.

-Right.

-So I feel like -this is not new to us.

-Right?

-You know, my dad said, -!he says, we're from the bottom.

-How old can we go?

-I thought about it.

Yeah.

-You know, -!we're not too far from slavery.

-Like, family members, -still alive, had connected -to other family members -that were in slavery.

-!So I've been going through it.

-I lived in New York.

-Stop and frisk, -you know, -you drive in the car and cops -pull you over -!because you're in the car, like.

-!So I feel like I've always been -fighting my whole life.

-So to me, I feel like -I'm ready for the fight.

-You know, being -being a Black man in America, -you know, it's so funny -not to get into race, -but with you talk about -this whole show.

-This whole show is about race -and Blackness.

Go for it.

-I think about for me, -this is how I look at things.

-My family's originally -from the south, right.

-So I was taught to open -a door for elders.

-Right?

-But somebody would -see me and think I'm a thug, -but I'm like, -you know what, miss lady?

-I would probably be a better -grandson than your grandson -because I do open doors.

-I do respect people.

-But based on what I look -that this is sad.

-Right.

-And meanwhile you're making -jewelry behind the scenes.

-Yeah.

-Super thug, super hardcore -out in these jewelry streets.

-Out in these streets, trap -jewelry.

-For live TV, were just going -to do a quick version -of it with my hands.

-This thing is called -silver solder, -if you are doing a -silver ring.

-This flux is like glue when -I put it to the torch.

-!Do you think there's a cultural -agreement -that we're kind of all making -with one another during this, -like presidency, -during this time, -while these different things, -like tarrifs -keep coming down the pike -and coming around the corner -where we're just, -like a little unbothered -because we kind of know.

-Yeah, I think so.

-I feel I feel that vibe.

-Yeah, I feel the vibe.

-And it's, -I think it's bigger than us.

-!I think its a spiritual thing.

-I think we're connected -and sometimes -it's a good thing -just to sit down, right.

-And sometimes -we all got to play a part.

-Right.

-I shouldnt just come out -when it affects me.

-I should come out -!when it affects every American.

-Yeah.

-And sometimes people, -people don't work like that.

-They come out with it affects -their situation you know.

-!Everybody needs to be involved.

-You know we we get involved.

-Yeah I got aunties.

-I got sisters and they -fight for America.

-They fight for everybody's -rights you know -man woman and child.

-So you know people are hurt.

-People get hurt.

-People need time to be held.

-Personally, -I'm not a businessman.

-I'm an artist -and a business man.

-Yeah, yeah.

-I mean, you're -making you're making jewelry -for some rock stars, -!like, people could look at you -and be like, well, he just -he just got there.

-But what would you say -to the young artist -who maybe doesn't think -that they need to lean -into that craft of skill?

-!You know, that daily practice?

-Everything takes time.

-Before I started hammering -and soldering and torching, -making jewelry, -I had to clean everybody's -jewelry.

-I had to clean for hours, -days, months.

-Just polish.

-So can I get the product -to look a certain way?

-That was my first thing.

-Though -!you know what was before that?

-I had to cut metal.

-So is this thing to you?

-Is.

There's -so many ways to do it, -but it's like a, machine, -like you melt the metal.

-Roll it through -the metal machine right?

-!And it gives you certain shapes.

-So I had to be the guy -that would measure and cut -for the bracelets, measure, -cut for the rings, that was -Can I cuss on this thing?

-That thing was no fun.

-But looking back -all these years, I mean, it's -those were -the foundational tools -I needed to be to be -where I'm at right now.

-And then also -when something like -tariffs comes down the pike, -it comes in handy.

-Yeah.

Like literally that.

-You know how to do this.

-I can I can eyeball work, -say if I have a -wax carving that I created -before it turns into metal, -I can kind of guesstimate -what it's going to be, -you know, I feel like.

-But that's years -and years and years and years -!of just working on your craft.

-yes, it takes time -to become a big deal.

-But even if you become -!a big deal, then something like -tariffs can happen and you're -right back where you started.

-So there's a lesson there.

-Or out of business.

-Before you even get started.

-So that's what's hard - -its going to be so hard -now that people -can't even get started.

-Yeah, they can't -they can't even afford - -Why would you start something -that you can't finish?

-!Or why would you start something -that you know -!it's going to be super taxing.

-We're all in this together.

-You know, pollution -affects everybody.

-You know -We're in this together.

-!It's like fish and water, right.

-If you, -if you mess up the water, -all of the fish are affected.

-Right?

-!So I feel like we just got to, -!I just don't know.

I don't know -who's running things.

-!I don't know the empathy level.

-!I don't know the caring level.

-If you only care -for a certain type of people.

-!But we're all human and we just -want to live a, a good life -while were here -and this is definitely -affecting it, you know?

-Well see in -!six months to a year, you know?

-Yeah.

-Between me and the universe, -this is my art.

-This is my heaven.

-This is how I can give back.

-So, when this interview -and all this stuff -is over -!and we have 20 more presidents, -the jewelry that I make is -going last for 100 years.

-So when we're gone, -all those thousands of pieces -I made -its still going to be here.

-!Thanks so much for joining us.

-If you want to continue -!to be a part of the Homegoings -family, -!stay in touch at homegoings.co -and subscribe -to the Homegoings podcast -wherever you listen.

-Take good care.

-My name is Amanda.

-Tell me, they call me -the Basquiat of metal.

-I am a jewelry designer, -and I just make drinks.

-Beautiful people.

-They're like art.

-All right.

-How'd you get into it?

-I saw an old guy in Atlanta, -at his mark.

-I remember doing an art show -during the holiday season, -and soon I saw it.

-I was like, this is why, -I don't know, something in me -snapped it, -!and I asked him for his number, -and he's like, -!yeah, you're kind of like BTK, -right?

-You're like, but I love you.

-You know what?

-Can I study other?

-Yeah, he's like, -take one of the kid.

-So, took another call on -!for like a year and a half.

Wow.

-Then what?

-I, I mean, that's -kind of stalker.

-!Stalker level, like, every day.

-It was like, -let me call this guy.

-Yeah.

-Then he didn't answer.

-Sometimes.

-Sometimes call back or back.

-And then, -!one time he answered, he's like, -can't get so persistent.

-Come on, come on -down to my shop.

-So and the funny thing is, -I had a car -and I was living in Atlanta, -right?

Yeah.

-I just got in a bad accident.

-It was like raining so hard.

-What I forgot was 20 -the highway.

-And, I told him my car.

-So when I went to his house, -it was raining that day, -and I was just soaking, -and he was like, -he's like this kid.

-He's persistent.

Yeah.

-So that's kind of how -I got here.

-!Like, I walked uphill both ways.

-!Oh.

Oh.

We just lost the shot.

-Can you just make sure that.

-Okay.

-That is so.

-Yeah.

-It's not, it's just the shot.

-Well, that's what we got, -so I'm hoping it works.

-The rest that I have covered.

-Yeah, I think so.

Yeah.

-Well, what happened now?

-So he opened the door -and said, what?

-Like you're persistent.

-And I was dressed.

The rain.

-So he was like, this guy.

-He's coming out in the rain -to do this.

Yeah.

-I just feel like -he felt like I was him.

-!And then once he found out that, -like I said before, -!that we had the same birthday.

-Yeah, like I'm -the new version of him.

-And so then he took you -!under his wing or what happened -the other, the right wing.

-And like I said, -I started as the cutter.

-That's for him.

-That was for him.

-Okay, -I would do it, -but it was like -a whole bunch of artists -that, you know, -was like a corporation -without a corporation, -artisan come together -to, to do shows -and to do product.

-!So saying, like, okay, you cut -!the stones, I'll do the bends, -I'll do the earrings.

-So I was like, -you know, a team, right?

-So I will be -the guy that was cutting the, -!the measurements of the metal.

-!And then after that I moved up -into, polishing the metal.

I.

-Why?

Because it's you.

-!You wear mask and you're just.

-Oh, it's a chemical.

-Yeah, yeah, -you're on it.

It's dirty.

-It's like my hand.

-My face is dirty.

-If I don't have a man.

-Yeah.

-Do that.

-And then from there, -what was the next step after -I did the Boston -I started, -!I learned how to make earrings -because they're a two -dimensional.

-Okay, -so I start touching -the earrings, -and then from there, I just -start growing and growing.

-And then he was like, -!man, you're great designing it.

-Like one of the greatest -designers -!that I've had that I've taught.

-So from there, -I did a lot of art shows.

-!Like I said, I used to do Bryant -Park, New York.

-Yeah.

-Oh, well, jazz festival, -a lot of shows I used to do.

-So I started noticing and he, -I used to start -putting my jewelry on a table -and he's like, man, -your work is real good.

-And then I started noticing -people -use the body pieces -I made.

Right?

-So he's like, man, you good?

-So I just kept going, -you know?

Yeah.

-It's like -the structure in my life.

-!No matter what I do, I still try -to take time to learn -because you.

It's so vast.

-School.

Right.

-Go to college.

-It's only, it's -so many different professions -you can take.

-And then once you get -!in that profession it's so many -different nuances.

-Is that right.

-Like I can be -!there's so many things I can do -in the jury world -that's like -I still haven't mastered yet.

-So I, I feel like -!I'm gonna be the most down.

Yes.

-Say it.

-Say it louder -for the people in the back.

-Also, I drive a Honda.

-No, you know, -you've used the Honda analogy -like six times.

-It's the price -wasn't on how good the car -I understand, -I understand no shade.

-It's good.

-I drive a 2006 Honda Element.

-In fact.

-Listen, they will never die.

-!So part of the cult following.

-Okay.

-Are you -guys feel good about that?

-Okay.

-Yeah.

Thank you so much.

-That's a wrap.

-!We're going to move it out to, -stop the records.

-Okay.

Can you press the stop -record?

-Is my pants okay?

-I'm going to stop it on the, -Yeah, I gotta stop the sound.

-Keep talking.

-I'm going to stop.

-Sound.

Can you hear me?

-I can hear me.

-!Okay, I'm just going to get up -and stop the sound.

-Okay?

-Is that still rolling?

Is.