6 THINGS WITH VANESSA STOFENMACHER
6 Things with the Founder of Silent Opus
Based in Los Angeles, Vanessa is the founder of Silent Opus, a new line of fully customizable modern jewelry. Jewelry holds so much meaning and Vanessa sought out to create a brand with customizable options to tell your personal story and mark milestones. The brand’s mission is to make customizable jewelry accessible for all with 50,000 bespoke options to choose from.Â
Vanessa’s background is in design and branding and this isn’t her first entrepreneurial venture. In 2014, Vanessa launched Vrai & Oro (now called Vrai), a direct to consumer fine jewelry company. The brand was launched with $8,000 and 10 designs and after it was acquired 5 years later, Vanessa decided to leave the company and focus on what mattered most to her. While she wanted to take a break from jewelry, it kept calling her back.Â
Silent Opus is for everyone - people of all ages and backgrounds - everyone with a story to tell. Designed to remind us of what’s most important in life: connection, to ourselves and to others. Symbols with soul.
1. What started it all for you?
Back in 2014 I launched the jewelry brand Vrai & Oro with the hopes of bringing transparency into the jewelry industry. It grew quickly and organically and while I didn't have plans to sell the company, an exciting partnership presented itself and I decided to join forces. After the acquisition, I quickly realized the values of our new parent company didn't align with my own and in 2019 (when I was 9 months pregnant) I made the hard decision to leave.
My plan was to take a break from jewelry but it kept calling me back. When my daughter Frida was born, I was reminded of a ruby ring my mom had custom made when I was born, which she wore everyday until my wedding when she passed it down to me. I created Silent Opus to continue this special tradition and help others symbolize important milestones in their lives.
2. What drives your creative spark?
We're all surrounded by so much "stuff" so it's really important to me that if we're creating something new, it has a purpose, an intention and a reason for being.
3. Most treasured home decor item?
It would probably be my couch. When we first bought our house, we splurged on a beautiful Croft House couch and it's been the first thing I see when I walk in my home for over 10 years now.
We cover the cushions with canvas blankets now so it's baby, toddler, and doggy proof but even that I love it because it allows us to fully enjoy it without being scared of ruining it.
4. What’s the best advice you've ever received?
The best and most life changing advice I received was the simplest comment from my mom as I was procrastinating putting the dishes away. She casually looked at me and said "Vanessa, I learned a long time ago that if you just do it now, you won't have to do it later." For whatever reason that advice stuck with me and I repeat it to myself many times a day. Whenever I feel like putting something off I hear my mom's voice reminding me to just do it now. That small change in my daily life has helped me stay present and productive and has made a world of difference.
5. It's 5 o'clock at home. What would you be pouring?
Definitely a glass of California Cabernet (the older the better).
6. What are your favorite 6 accounts that you follow for inspiration?
I gave up social media a few years ago in order to be more present and I haven't looked back since!
SHOPÂ VANESSA'SÂ 6 HOME PICKS
"Evoking feeling and emotion is what drives me in my work. There's a quote "go after what gives you goosebumps" which I use as my north star. Now I pay close attention when I'm working, and if whatever I'm doing or creating gives me goosebumps — I know I'm going in the right direction." -Vanessa Stofenmacher
