PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JOHN MURPHY
Who is the Wandering Gypsea? A creative force inspired by her location, also known as Brie Fagan. Read on for more about Brie’s work, in her own words…
Back in August 2013, I made myself a flower crown with this big, pretty sunflower to wear to one of the Wednesday night summer concerts in Harvey Cedars. By the end of the night I had five orders from friends wanting their own personalized flower crowns.
When I realized how happy something I created with my own two hands made other people, I decided I wanted to turn it into a business.
I started off with sea glass I had from my father’s vast collection and my own collection. I was making simple jewelry and flower crowns at first. As my love for crafting grew, I wanted my craftmanship skills to grow as well. About a year ago, I started taking a metal-smithing class to learn how to set stones and sea glass in silver and other metals. So much has inspired me to start The Wandering Gypsea. Life is constantly inspiring me: a sunset, a perfect wave, a hike in the woods. People such as David Calderra of David’s Dream and Believe and Dani Corso of Volatile, who work so hard and give so much back to our community, also inspire me.
I’ve got a lot coming up in the next couple of months! The LBI Wedding Road Show, new shops I’ll be joining this summer, and The Makers Festival. I’m so excited to be a part of the Creative Council on the Makers Festival—an awesome event at Beach View Farms on September 19th. Check out more at www.thewanderinggypsea.squarespace.com