Earring Connection

Good day, I am LeKia Hall but you can call me Lukki and I would like to take a moment to tell you about my passion project.

It began in Nov 2007, I set out to create a fashion art installation completely made of ribbon. I called it “Mother Earth”. It was gown created with every hue of blue ribbon, light to dark that I could attain. It was a representation of our Earth. The sky down to the deepest part of the sea. Surrounding it was storm clouds that read “war, pollution, famine” and other issues that tend to create a discourse in our world. This was the first time I ever used ribbon as a creative medium and I was in love.

After completing the project, I had tons of blue ribbon left over and I pondered what I could create next. I dug into my childhood camp memory banks and applied the basket weaving technique I learned long ago to a few strips of ribbon. I cut away the strays, added an earring hook and Voila! It felt magical and cute! Opening night of the art exhibit I wore my new earrings and I was truly proud of everything I created!

At the time of creating the “Mother Earth” fashion art installation, I was only aware of the Breast Cancer Awareness pink ribbon created by Charlotte Haley. I became aware of the pink ribbon in the late 90's while my aunt was battling the illness, but little did I know that there was a whole world of ribbon awareness and that every color had a meaning. Just like that; you could find me at the dining room table like Ms. Haley- creating more art in opposition of the ills of the world. I called the earrings “DivaEars”.

“Diva” a nick-name given to me by my aunt Lillie-Ann Moses whom my family loss in 2001 to breast cancer. She always encouraged me to create and think for myself and once the name was formed- DivaEars became and ode to her and the encouragement she gave me while she was here.

Prior to 2007, I was young 20’s, working as a customer service representative at a local grocery store. I wanted to do so much creatively but I lacked so much confidence in just starting. So in trying to brand my new cute earrings I thought I could forecast my future posture with a quote from Daisaku Ikeda “Confidence is single-minded resolve. Confidence is courage. Confidence is hope.” …and so “Confidence is Diva!”

I began telling my friends and family about my earring creations and giving them as gifts because I thought everyone could use some confidence and support. “DivaEars- (inter-connected) a lightweight handmade earring promoting the awareness of humanistic concepts. BE who you are. Support who/what you love. Wear cute earrings! With those ideals I began vending at small events and DivaEars started to grow organically. DivaEars are attractive to many for their simplicity and finding your passion truly can be simple. Growing up in inner city America and becoming a hand made artisan that people from many walks of life purchased from was such a confidence building experience. So much so that I found myself experimenting and championing other creative talents. However; in that process I can truly say that I’ve never given DivaEars my all. I didn't acquire much business acumen or a mentor. I did the best I could with what I knew. Through all successes and trails DivaEars have come a long way from their creation and have been with me every part of my journey. Luckily, I've developed friends who traveled the world and introduced DivaEars to many people. All of their great photos began to shape DivaEars identity in bridging causes, cultures and style alike. DivaEars have been worn by family members in waiting rooms during surgery, worn to reveal the gender of a baby, sports events, bartered for meals, taxi rides and gifts of trade on 4 of the 7 continents of our world. These stories I hold are far beyond anything I could've ever imagined.

Around 2017 I took a complete break from DivaEars as I couldn't keep up. I was in it alone and everything that I didn't know was working out perfectly :/, I was tired and defeated. Overtime I've learned when things get too heavy- put them down! So for about two years it lingered in the back of my mind and in my heart. Late 2019, I began again but shortly after the pandemic set in. The world was turned up side down and physical separation became more of a reality then ever before. In times like this we still need ways to connect... and on a deeper level. My passion with DivaEars is to continue to connect people by cause awareness, style and stories. I would love to create a space where we can learn about why 3 people may wear red DivaEars for 3 different causes the simplest is style because who doesn't love earrings? OK, so many people don't and many more don't have their ears pierced as one might think but even with those odds there is a niche' audience whom I look forward to continuing to create this body of work for. Adorning ears with delicate ribbons.

With the world renewing I have become very intentional. I have found a business mentor. I am beginning to fully legitimize DivaEars . I started vending again and I know having additional funding would help tremendously with further business fees, vending fees, lawyer and accounting fees, extra fees, professional media content creation or the purchase of better equipment, a new 2021-22 branding campaign... and more fees. I could put my self on payroll and really dive in... ooh maybe a nice vending set up?!! I've got plans and so much work to do!!!

Til next time

LIME,

Lukki <3

P.S. I included an old YT video from 2012 but the website is no longer active as it will be up an running very soon!