​Welcome to Soul Song Originals - Handcrafted Jewelry & Art

​

Hi! I’m Barb Johnson, the heart and hands behind Soul Song Originals – Handcrafted Jewelry & Art.

​

My journey into the world of handcrafted jewelry and art began as a teenager back in Brooklyn, NY in the 1970s during the boho era of art, music, and fashion. It was difficult to find the kind of unique jewelry pieces that I wanted, so I began to create my own.

​

I met my husband in the late 70s through our involvement in music and each being part of separate local Brooklyn rock bands. (Who wasn't, back then!?!) :-) Other than music, we both shared a deep passion for living in the mountains, escaping the city at every opportunity to camp in the woods of upstate New York. After we married, we actually honeymooned for 10 days camping in those same mountains! 

The Catskill Mountains was a place we had visited individually before we met as pre-teens and young teenagers, and it had become our goal to eventually leave New York City to live the country life. We were able to do that after both of our children were born, and living in the pristine Catskills since 1988 has been a journey we've never regretted embarking on.

​

Embracing the country life came in different forms for us individually, and we’ve always had a mutual respect for each other’s passions. Mine included raising our children in a purely organic setting on our 3+ acres of land, gardening and growing our own herbs, vegetables, and some fruits, and preparing them for our year-round use. We raised a couple of cows, a huge pig named Max, a lot of chickens, ducks, and geese - all purely as pets - along with many dogs and cats, learning a great deal about self-reliance along the way. I was able to dive back into my jewelry making in the early 90s and began showing and selling my work at local country festivals. My work was well-accepted, and I began to achieve a following.

​

My husband became very interested in fishing and hunting. He is the most ethical sportsmen I've ever known. I decided to enlist the talents of a local taxidermist to transform deer hides into beautiful, soft leather and found a new outlet in the form of creating leather art, including masks that I designed that pay tribute to the Native American styles of those who dwelled in our region many years ago. From there, my leather art brought me to create my own ©Leather-Wrapped Mirrors, for which I have exclusive copyright. I also began using the leather in some of my jewelry and other creations.

​

In the late 90s, a family situation forced me to take a hiatus from jewelry making that, for one reason after another, lasted more than 15 years. I had needed to shift my focus to the matters at hand, and my home studio became quiet. Too quiet. Eventually, as life settled down again, I opened up my studio, which was still filled with supplies, projects, ideas, and such, just waiting to be given another chance! It didn't take me very long to get back into the swing of things, and creations started flying all over! I got back into the festival scene and found a whole new generation of those who loved the boho handcrafted jewelry style along with my other art.

​

Then... COVID-19.

I had only had about five years of being out and about with my new creations when everything was shut down. But I still designed and created, knowing I would be back somehow at some time. When that time finally came, I decided to focus on sharing my creations online.

​

What started so many decades ago, as a hobby for creativity and self-expression transformed into a passion, and eventually, into the home-based business you see here.

​

At Soul Song Originals, I believe in creating pieces that adorn the wearer in unique, noticeable jewelry. Each item is crafted with love, attention to detail, and with a lot of boho flavor. I strive to use sustainable materials and ethical practices in every step of my process. My creative process is a blend of traditional and modern techniques. From selecting unique materials to handcrafting each piece, I pour my heart and soul into every creation to ensure it’s as original as you are.

​

When I’m not in my studio designing and creating jewelry, bead weaving, painting, and crafting projects of all kinds, you can find me exploring nature, taking photographs, working in my garden, listening to classic rock (I’m a big Tom Petty fan!), playing my guitar, hanging out in the kitchen making my own butter, cheeses, extracts, and more using the bounty from our property and from our amazing local farmers, and just being content with the life we’ve created. My husband and I also enjoy the blessings of our two (now grown) children and the six grandchildren they have given us!

 

My moments of love, peace, and inspiration often find their way into my designs. Creating jewelry and art is its own practice in meditation for me. It’s my grounding.

​

I love connecting with my customers and hearing your stories! Feel free to reach out to me on social media or through the contact form on my website. Let’s stay inspired together...and always remember: "Never Settle for Average!"

​​

​

​

Photo credits: Barbara Johnson - Soul Song Originals - Handcrafted Jewelry & Art
                               Stacey Ann - Owner: Empowered by you Fitness, Walton, NY
                               Barbara McNair - Owner: Grace and Dignity End of Life Services, Middletown, NJ