Aloha
My names is Chanelle, The owner and designer of Goddess Gauges! I was born and raised in the Bay Area so growing up I have always been fascinated by skate culture, high fashion, and streetwear. I loved the idea of being the OG grandma with gauges and tattoos I lost two siblings in high school, so naturally I went through many phases. At the time I was too young to grieve, so I truly healed through my creative outlets and holistic practices. I moved to San Francisco right out of high school to pursue Fashion. It was too shallow of a business for me so that never worked out, but I never stopped creating.
How I learned to make clay gauges. My friend lived in a hostel in downtown SF literally called "the summer of love" I kid you not. Total SF vibes. A bunch of artists lived there, and my friend's roommate was a jewelry etcher. She showed us the process of making our own gauges. I loved the idea of this because I was already tired of having stretched ears because of the lack of options. From then on, I have been making my own gauges for every outfit. This was about 2013.
Fast forward to me living in Hawaii, I started wearing my gauges more often because of the climate. Living closer to the equator means it's always hot. I noticed when I wore metal or silicone it bothered my ears. Clay jewelry is sweat resistant, waterproof, and oil proof, so I could wear them to the beach, when I worked out, and at the waterfront outdoor bar that I worked at in Honolulu. As a bartender I always wear my big gauges behind the bar. It is an instant conversation starter because people just have never seen jewelry like it. No matter where I go, weather grocery shopping or at the gym, they are an attention grabber. One of my friends owns a pair and she says men and women stop her to ask her about her earrings. She say's she's never had men stop her about earrings. That's when I decided to make Goddess Gauges, I mean the way people admire the jewelry truly make you feel like a Goddess.
Currently, I am working towards becoming a full bench jeweler. My goal is to make fine jewelry, and timeless heirlooms. My dream is to work with my favorite fashion houses like Schiaparelli.
Welcome to the beginning of a journey.
Much aloha,
Chanelle <3