Payson Cooper has been creating inspiring jewelry for the last decade.

She has carefully studied the intricate methodologies of jewelry making and creation that include high karat granulation, metal fabrication, stone setting, wax carving, engraving, chasing, metal carving, 3D digital design, and model making.

Beyond technology however, Payson brings a whole new level to designing jewelry. Each and every piece she creates becomes part of the spiritual development of the person who wears it.

Each piece of jewelry is imbued with an inspirational message (like the one shown above) to remind the wearer and those around her to connect with their own intentions. The messages on the eco-friendly jewelry include words like gratitude and expect miracles.

I recently interviewed Payson who graciously agreed to share her thoughts here:

EcoDiva: What does your logo and company name symbolize?

Payson: The Transformational Jewelry name was designed to capture the concept that simple objects, like jewelry, can be used as transformational objects in our lives. The line was originally designed just for me, as a way to anchor the changes I was working on through seminars and personal growth training.

It grew very quickly as I realized how many people wanted and could use inspirational jewelry to uplift, inspire and transform their lives.

EcoDiva: So many people are changing their lives to be more earth-friendly. Tell me about your personal journey to choosing green.

Payson: Since learning to make jewelry almost 10 years ago, I have always wanted to help develop earth-friendly practices around jewelry making.

I have been eating organic foods, cleaning with eco-friendly products and shopping in health food stores since the late 1980’s and I felt something of a rift between that (eco) part of myself and creating jewelry, which I discovered as a passion in the late 1990’s.

Over the past few years, people in the jewelry industry have begun focusing more and more on earth-friendly practices. It has been a slow process, but more eco-friendly jewelry is available now.

I have been using an environmentally friendly metal and refining company for several years now; but only recently secured a guarantee of the high percentage of recycled metal content in my jewelry.

EcoDiva: In this new market of green fashion, what makes your products and your company unique?

Payson: The Transformational Jewelry Collection offers beautiful jewelry with an added purpose. This collection was designed specifically to enhance the life of the wearer and anyone who sees it.

We all know that smiling at a stranger can change both people’s days; so can wearing jewelry with a special message. It can help you re-focus your mind when you need it, allow you to build a special practice so that you can return to it in times of need, and help you share your intentions with the world

The stories and testimonials that come back to me are incredible and inspiring. I hear about everything from healing to simple shifts in attention that changed the outcome of an important interaction.

Transformational Jewelry is unique quality jewelry that is beautiful and appealing, as well as a tool to be used to change your life in consistent, direct and subconscious ways.

EcoDiva: What are your some of your “green” personal and business practices?

Payson: Personally, I use mostly organic and earth-friendly body products and shop almost exclusively at health food stores for sustainable organic foods. In my business, for the portions of the jewelry work that I outsource, I work with small family-owned local businesses.

I know the people I work with very well and spend time in their production facilities in New York City on a weekly basis. I travel exclusively on public transportation and used recycled materials for packaging and shipping whenever possible. I am in the process of working to design and create 100% recycled packaging for both of my jewelry lines.

And, most importantly, all of the cast pieces (rings, pendants, cuff bracelets, etc.) are made from recycled metals. The sterling silver is a minimum of 92% recycled, and the 14K gold is a minimum of 78% recycled metal. Higher karat gold such as 18k and 22k has an even higher recycled content.

I also source recycled stones as often as possible and have access to Canadian diamond resellers, which are guaranteed conflict free.

EcoDiva: What organic beauty/fashion products do you use & recommend?

Payson: I love Om Aroma’s organic skin care products, they’re really amazing. I’ve been a fan of several companies for many years as well. For example I’ve been using Tom’s toothpaste and Burt’s Bees products since I was a teen.

EcoDiva: What books, movies, or CDs have been most helpful or inspiring to you?

Payson: I am a huge fan of Abraham-Hicks Law of Attraction materials, The Secret and a few others. I have found that it’s important to search through many people and products available until you find the one that really resonate with you; really speaks to you. For me, the one that resonates is Abraham-Hicks, I love their stuff.

EcoDiva: What is your current obsession?

Payson: My business, connecting with people, sharing information and social networking online; sites like Facebook, Twitter and Plurk.

EcoDiva: Who inspires you?

Payson: Other female entrepreneurs and fellow jewelry artists like Alex Sepkus and Judith Ripka.

EcoDiva: How do you get things done?

Payson: Generally I create ‘To Do’ lists and then work my way through them. A lot of new things pop up each day; many of which have to be done immediately or I could miss an opportunity. So, I am flexible about what comes next and the priorities are always shifting.

EcoDiva: What would you like to revolutionize?

Payson: People’s beliefs about themselves and the world; there are so many things that anyone and everyone can do. And all we need to do is to follow our hearts and our passions for the world to continue to evolve and grow in a bigger and even better way. The more people are true to themselves, the more amazing and incredible our world will become.

EcoDiva: Where can I buy your jewelry line?

Payson: Visit www.transformationaljewelry.com – the inspirational collection and
www.paysonjewelry.com – the artisan collection.

We also have a Facebook page where you can become a fan and get a bi-monthly update about special offers and the interesting things we are finding out about, and want to share with our network.

There is a special offer right now;if you post something you are grateful for to our Facebook wall, you can win a Gratitude Necklace in sterling silver.