SEED People’s Market is a curation of like-minded humans from all walks of life - Makers, planters, hikers, climbers, and wanderers to name a few. Together, we’re committed to educate sustainability, elevate community, and encourage diversity. People with a Purpose is a celebration of this - Highlighting members of our community, and sharing each story and purpose.

Today, we are celebrating jewelry maker, small business owner, and great friend of our marketplace, Monéh Haslett. We sat down on a warm spring afternoon and had a chit-chat about her drive for making, admiration for nature, and purpose in life.

Monéh, we’re incredibly excited to highlight you and your business in our inaugural feature. You’re a great friend of SEED People’s Market, as well as fellow artisans and businesses right here in Costa Mesa. Let’s talk a little bit about your business and what you do.

Hi! My name is Monéh and I’m the owner and maker behind a small jewelry brand that goes by my first and middle names; Monéh Brisel Jewelry. Each piece celebrates a unique detail observed in nature. Crafted from solid brass, sterling silver, and gold these pieces are meant to be well-worn and treasured.  

Jewelry is a tangible item with an emotional connection. When worn, a piece can make you feel a certain way, whether that’s peaceful, connected, or empowered. With MBJ, it is my intention for these pieces to be your touchstone to nature. As well as a reminder to delight in the small and ordinary.

Something that our community might not know about you is that you've made a recent move from the Dominican Republic. Can you talk about that experience and its influence on your business?

Before California, I was living the island life, which I really fell in love with! I had moved to the DR to be with my partner and lived there for four years. It was the place where my deep connection to the ocean began. I spent a lot of time on the sand and in the water - From finding shells and sea glass on the shore, to learning how to read the waves, snorkel, dive, and surf. The ocean became so central to my life. 

I had a small sea glass collection forming and thought it would be fun to try and make a pair of earrings. So after some research, I bought my first tools and started experimenting. My first designs were made from brass I cut with my saw and seaglass I found along the shore. Over the years, I slowly learned more and honed in on my metalsmithing skills. It’s so wild to look back and see how that path led to where I am today!

The precision and delicacy in jewelry-making gives us a profound respect for all makers out there. Can you talk about the creative process of making a piece? Is there a blueprint laid out or do you tend to go with the flow?

Nature is so rad, there’s abundant inspiration! My designs can come about in different ways but usually a certain element will stand out to me and a flash of a possible design. I like to jot it down if I can, so I don’t forget it! From there, I revisit the admired element and take the time to observe it and see what other textures or forms it naturally has. For example, my latest collection is inspired by water. The first shape and silhouette of the Double Droplet earrings came to me, from there the rest of the collection was slowly formed. Other times, as I’m making or experimenting with pieces, something will fall together on my desk and look like a cool design. Love when that happens!

It can take quite some time for a collection to form, anywhere from a couple months to a year or more. Somewhere along the line I’ll typically experience a creative block of sorts, which is challenging but will always go back to the element that inspired me in the first place!

Here at SEED People’s Market, we’re committed to bringing on eco-minded and sustainably-driven brands to help educate, elevate, and encourage our community. Being a part of our marketplace, can you highlight aspects of your business that demonstrate being sustainable and environmentally conscious?

MBJ is a slow fashion brand that creates jewelry in small batches. I like to be very intentional with my designs and want my pieces to be something that someone can hold on to for years to come. And that’s why I like to work with solid metals - They age beautifully. I love to see pieces being worn and cherished for an extensive period of time. I’m also making sure that with shipping materials and how things are sourced, I’m keeping the environment in mind!

This might be a tough question! Do you have an all-time favorite piece to wear?

I definitely have my favorite everyday pieces which I’ll rotate time to time. I really love wearing a mix of metals. So for that reason one of my go to ring stacks is the Low Tide Ring in silver and the High Tide Ring in brass. I also love these pieces because You can wear them stacked for more of a statement or solo for a simpler look. I also always come back to this two-tone Moonlight necklace that has a slightly curved silver oval pendant and an adjustable gold-filled piece I love to layer with. All of these designs are simple and versatile, so I’m able to wear them all the time.

I see that you participate in local markets here in Costa Mesa including one hosted by Less is More!

Yes, weekend pop ups are so fun! I love being able to chat and connect with customers in person and see what pieces they are drawn to. It’s also been a way I’ve been able to meet small business owners who are hosting or popping up. I’m so thankful for this supportive community!

We understand that running a small business is no walk in the park and having a support system for the ups and downs is so important. Who are your biggest supporters?

There are a lot of people who’ve supported me through my jewelry business - My partner, my family, my friends, customers, and all the local ladies who are also running their own small biz! At different times these individuals have been positive voices that really encourage me to keep going! Sending so much love to you all!

What are some recent learning lessons from running a small business?

One of the biggest challenges this past year was establishing the foundation for this small biz, I’ve learned and am learning so much through that! I have also had to figure out how to prioritize the long list of biz to-do’s, as well as the importance of rest days. It’s easy to just work “a little” and not have a full day off - But what I’ve come to realize is I’m way more productive and happy if I give myself time to rest and play.

Well let’s do exactly that and allow myself to ask some different questions...

What do you like to do outside of working your business?

A couple of my fav things to do are beach days at San O, thrift, pick out some yummy fruit and veg at the farmer’s market, enjoy a pastry, and hang with friends!

What's your favorite thing about living in Costa Mesa/Orange County?

Definitely how close it is to the beach and all the cool creative small businesses here - From brands, to shops, and restaurants, it's what makes this place so special!

Do you have a favorite author or writer?

I really love the poet, Mary Oliver. Her work has really shaped the way I go about my work, as well as my day-to-day. A big takeaway from her philosophy is noticing and cherishing the little things in life, especially in nature.

Is there any specific piece or quote from her that you resonate well with?

Oh, there are so many good ones! Let's see, I would say Mindful is one of her pieces that has really shaped me and captures the essence of what she has taught me:

Every day
I see or hear something that more or less

kills me with delight, that leaves me like a needle

in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for - to look, to listen,

to lose myself inside this soft world - to instruct myself over and over

in joy,
and acclamation. Nor am I talking about the exceptional,

the fearful, the dreadful, the very extravagant - but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,

the daily presentations. Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself, how can you help

but grow wise with such teachings as these -
the untrimmable light

of the world,the ocean's shine, the prayers that are made out of grass?

We would like to conclude our amazing discussion with a question we’d like to ask everyone - What do you believe is your purpose in life? 

I would say to live as wholly as I can! Enjoying and being with the people around me, delighting in the wonder of the natural world, and essentially, taking it all in as beautiful - Even the hard bits.

WRITER & EDITOR

Robert Minns