Karen Stewart:
The Intersection between Jewelry & Psychology

NAA: Can you tell us a bit about your background? What led you to become both a psychologist and a jewelry designer?

KS: I think my draw to psychology unfolded very naturally. I enjoyed all of my social sciences and literature classes in college and had a draw towards the power of storytelling and narrative in understanding who we are. I really enjoy being a part of that journey for people as they are charting a new path forward with a deeper, more compassionate understanding of themselves. I began making jewelry in grad school with a friend as a fun alternative to studying. We called it "bead therapy" and I do find it very soothing and satisfying to create something that expresses my personal style, which is a reflection of my personality, values, and things I might be working through emotionally at that moment. Ever since those days, I've envisioned someday having both a therapy office and jewelry shop. In the past year, I developed the plan to integrate my passions by evolving Juniper Skies into a larger scale business that promotes mental health education and advocacy as part of its mission. In particular, my work focuses on helping people and health care providers understand why and how mental health impacts physical health and how to improve self-care habits through better understanding of this. My art tends to be nature-inspired with calming colors and themes and for me represents our deep connection to our world around us and to each other.

NAA: The Cove Collective sounds like an exciting and unique concept! How did you get involved in this project, and what do you hope it will bring to the community? 

KS: I live in Hampton Cove and love our community! I know that many of us would love to see more shopping and entertainment options on this side of the mountain and I was so glad to find an opportunity to create my space here. The Cove Collective is the vision of my friend, Paula Mahalik. The Collective offers art classes, provides the physical location for Juniper Skies, hosts Juniper Skies fundraising events for mental health advocacy and education, and I'm sure many other opportunities to bring our community together will be evolving.

NAA: As a psychologist, how do you see the connection between art, fashion, and mental health? Do you incorporate these ideas into your work? 

KS: I think storytelling and self-expression are important for our mental health. Art can help us tap into our emotions and can be a way of working through and taking control of a narrative that allows us to move forward with confidence in who we are.

NAA: What kind of art classes and events do you plan to host at The Cove Collective? Are there any upcoming events or collaborations you’re especially excited about?

KS: Our first class was a water color painting class and next month, I'll be hosting a free "healing arts" class on March 20th. It will be a relaxed opportunity to learn about working with polymer clay to mix colors and create a decorative item that can be worn or used to decorate your space. Class is free, but registration is needed as we have limited space. Sign up is at juniperskies.com

NAA: What challenges have you faced in balancing your roles as a psychologist, jewelry designer, and business owner? How do you stay inspired in both fields?
KS: It's definitely a lot of work having so many plates in the air, but for me, having a variety of activities to my week is important to match my creative energy. I have ADHD and creating is a really great outlet for me to relieve stress and shift into a different brain space. Learning how to run a business is challenging and the hardest part for me is keeping up with all the different demands, but I've learned that for me, I need to have a structure to my week so I know exactly when each activity is going to happen. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that I really enjoy embracing my entrepreneurial side and learning to wear the many hats that one has as a small business owner. I also really love supporting other small businesses and connecting with my fellow business owners, who are typically creative and inspirational people!

NAA: Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for your boutique and your mental health advocacy work? How do you hope to see The Cove Collective evolve in the coming years?

KS: My hope is to be able to spend more of my professional time focused on running the jewelry business and doing mental health education and advocacy work. I'm halfway through my working years and want to expand from working on the individual level to helping a larger population by providing accurate mental health information and advocating for better access to care. My psychology career has always been about advocacy and creating a kinder world where we celebrate our unique gifts and work together to overcome our personal challenges. Earlier in my career, my advocacy was in the form of research that focused on the importance of integrating mental health care into health care settings in order to help people best take care of their health.