HEALING THROUGH CREATIVITY WITH EMILY MARTIN
Hey y’all! My name is Emily Martin and I am the artist behind EM.K Designs & Co. EM.K was originally created in the winter of 2017. Inspired by my sisters, Erin, Megan, and Kristy, I created the name EM.K with their first initials, to honor the bond that we share. While a dream was planted in 2017, excuses were made- no proper training, a busy school schedule, and a heart that was elsewhere. With those excuses flooding my mind, I halted sales that following summer. But, like all good stories, this one eventually comes back around.
During the fall of 2019, I found myself at rock bottom. I was suffering and my life was taken over by PTSD, depression, trauma-induced anxiety, and eating disorders. I felt numb, worthless, exhausted, insignificant, and hopeless. And with that, I attempted to take my own life.
Less than a week later, I found myself enrolling in rehabilitating treatment for the third time. Over the course of the 100+ days I spent in treatment, I rediscovered my worth, my stability, and my hope. I learned several clinical things while I was in treatment. From therapeutic coping skills to understanding my illnesses, I came out a more intelligent person. However, I also learned several adjunct things while I was in treatment. I learned that having a routine is vital for my own recovery, I learned that creativity serves as a healthy outlet, and I learned that I enjoy being a part of something bigger than myself. With these lessons in mind, I got a part-time job over winter break at a local custom jewelry shop.
To be honest, when I started EM.K in the winter of 2017, I did not know the first thing about making jewelry. I totally just smiled my way through it! But after working at Beads, Inc., I fell back in love with the creative process of jewelry making, while simultaneously undergoing proper training and design education. But, I knew I was getting ready to intern in Washington, DC in the spring, I just finished treatment, and I was not ready to start a business up again. So, I put it on the back-burner for the second time.
My internship got moved to remote (thanks, COVID!) and I came home to Charlotte. I’m not sure about y’all, but I was bored out of my mind with quarantine! I walked aimlessly around the house and opened and closed the fridge hoping new food would appear more times than I would like to admit! But, with some encouragement from my mom, this was the exact refresh I needed to bring EM.K back. I started small, making necklaces and bracelets for family and friends. Then my “go big or go home” mentality struck me and boom I was ready to take off.
EM.K helps me feel alive again. I love working with my hands to bring a design to life. It brings me clarity, happiness, and joy to see what a vision for a design looks like in reality. I knew I loved to help others, as well as the creative process of designing, making, and crafting jewelry. I fully believe that creativity is healing me and helping me fall back in love with life again. For the therapeutic benefits of the creative process of designing and making carefully-crafted jewelry, are immense. Thus, in the spring of 2020, EM.K was reborn.
It is no lie that I would not be here right now without my amazing support system. This is why each design is named after someone who inspires me. I take their personality and how they helped shape me and formulate that into a piece. I have other avenues of inspiration too. Nature is a big one for me. Whether it be the mountains or the ocean, I incorporate my roots into each design as well. From the design to crafting, my inspiration stems from my life and my surroundings.
As for the actual designing component, I only buy my materials from other small businesses. Each piece is handcrafted by myself and I am a major supporter of small businesses. It is second nature to me, for I am aware of how each purchase makes a difference. Additionally, I often source Fair Trade. The global community of enterprises that comprise the World Fair Trade Organization focus on business that puts people and the planet before their profit. They are pioneers of fighting poverty, climate change, gender inequality and injustice. Everything that EM.K stands for is possessed by the Fair Trade community.
EM.K’s mission is “Helping girls suffering from their own insecurities and adversities through jewelry that celebrates womanhood and exuberates joy.” While I am #healingthroughcreativity, I want our customers to as well. I hope that my designs accentuate their personality and that they let their confidence of who they truly are shine through when they wear their one-of-a-kind piece. This is also why I donate a portion of every purchase to Girls Inc. and to the Equal Justice Initiative. Together, we are building strong, radiant girls who believe they are enough, they are worthy, and they are strong, and breaking down systematic racism and unjust mass incarceration. Our mission of empowerment is unwavering and here to stay.