Meet Layli Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Layli Johnson.

Layli, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am Layli Johnson, the face behind Metal Morphic Studios, a small business based out of Denver Colorado. I grew up in a small town in central California close to the gates of Yosemite National Park. My Father is a Mixed Scottish Viking and my Mother is a mixed Indigenous Yucateca Maya. I went to Mexico to live 3 months out of the year during the summer until I was in high school connecting with the land and my heritage, learning so much about the Mayan culture.

Having been raised mixed and diverse is really what led me to my business and starting to create helping medicine from all walks of my culture. My mother’s hometown and growing up around the pyramid of Uxmal have impacted who I am significantly. I am a descendant of indigenous Mayans who were almost exterminated completely, only ten percent of the Yucatec Mayas survived.

Growing up I was always inspired by the wisdom, sacred art, and cultural practices of both sides of my culture. There is something so deep and meaningful to continue to educate myself along with other beautiful humans about our beliefs and Practices. Having these experiences has truly molded who I am as a person today.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely been a learning experience through trial and error. If you have a business you know that you grow immensely and are challenged every day having to earn new skills. You see this amazing quality finished product, but what is not seen is all the prototypes and the learning of glues, wires, paints, Inks, vinal, sticker papers, Sauder, sinew, bones, feathers, crystals, tools, and what works to make quality art/medicine.

What challenges me the most is that I am a jack of all trades and I love to divulge in many media forms. I am ever morphing and my business reflects that. It turns out to be whatever my artistic ADHD brain takes me with a mix of my spiritual energy and intention. The hardest most challenging part for me is finding the balance with time having my two children. I am a stay-at-home mom and entrepreneur. My work is very time-consuming therefore it can be a challenge to navigate my time daily to follow my passions and to create.

My second biggest challenge was the trial and error side of finding good vending locations and events. The flux in the economy really made it hard to be consistent with a steady income. Sometimes it is hit or miss and that can really hurt you as an independent business owner, At Times you put in more to take a risk that pays off and other times you can come out negative. Not only do you have to learn new skills you also have to get a really good strategy so your time and efforts pay off and are lucrative in the long run.

Art is subjective so what separates you? what makes you a professional? What is the middle ground with high-quality materials, pricing, and also the balance of being affordable? There are so many questions you have to ask yourself when starting a business that you have to find the answer to even if you do not have one. Time and experience have been my best teachers to fine-tune and I will continue my journey to better myself, my art, and my amazing small one-woman show of a business I am proud to call, Metal Morphic Studios.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have always been an Artist at heart, constantly making things of all media thru out my life. I started my business journey after becoming a mother of two girls close in age in 2021 through COVID. I needed an Outlet for my Mental health and to help support my family financially. I started making earrings and selling them at the Colorado Mile High Flea Market when I met a few individuals about vending and market opportunities.

In just a short period of time, Metal Morphic Studios was born. I am a Woman of many skills and traits and did not want to conform to society’s small box. My business name has many meanings, I am a Silversmith/wire wrapper, metamorphic rocks are my favorite type of rock, and I am a metalhead who is constantly morphing and ever-evolving with my art. There was so much trial and error learning the ins and outs of vending, collecting supplies, managing a website, and finding ethical taxidermy work from other indigenous people across the world if not from me.

In March 2024 I celebrated the start of the 3rd year anniversary of creating my business, reminiscing on this long, beautiful journey looking at how much I have grown and achieved. when you run a small business alone you realize that you have to acquire skills you didn’t even know you would need, website design, photography, shipping, and product quality. You take one thing at a time and learn new skills. having a positive and happy attitude, you can accomplish anything!!

I want everyone to know that the medicine I create comes from a long line of Mayan white light mixed with my personal touch, how the teachings of our ancestors and what we know today combine to help heal the soul. I am excited to share Ethical animal medicine, giving new life to something so sacred that has walked among us, to give it a new life after death. I love to create for fun and for a meaningful purpose.

I get into full regalia and weave my dreamcatchers in new moon or full moon energy only listening to Maya Taan chanting to fully channel the medicine I put into my work in hopes of healing others. I want people to know that when they buy from me or support my small business in any way that I can help bring awareness to the resilience of the Mayan people, it is my duty to show love and support keeping these cultures alive in education and unity!

I love to give new life to animals that have passed, all Ethical of course. They live beautiful lives and there is so much medicine in these creatures. They teach so much and I am trying to make people aware of this medicine and educate people of the beliefs on life after death and how beautiful the perspectives of the Mayan people and Vikings have held within the cultures.

I am a jack of all trades and I found a way to combine all of the things that I love and show the world something new, meaningful, and unique. I really struggle in this world being such a spiritual and empathic person that starting my business and being around all the things I love help heal my soul. I hope my work reflects my spirit and is passed along one person at a time Lighting a spark within them with love and light.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My family first and most my Mother and Father (Mark and Ines) for raising me to be such a diverse and multicultural human with extra spice and spirit, I have learned such beautiful things from them and am so proud to be their daughter, My siblings Cassandra (IG: @cassandra.nah.photography) and brother-in-law Ron, for always being positive and changing/challenging my perspectives.

My brother Steven, for always supporting me and the things we love. My nieces and nephews are my cheerleaders. My friends are huge support shout outs to these incredibly talented humans always pushing me to be a better person and grow my many talents
Julianna (IG @belongstothewoods), Chelsey (IG @earthfragments), and Brittney-Lilly-Taylor- Cruze (IG @mr_mojos-Tj). Everyone who I have met along the way!

All of the beautiful people whom I have had the pleasure to learn from and share space with at any event. The people who go so above and beyond to make sure events are advertised, meaningful, positive, and safe. My final thank you is to, you the reader. The supporter. The people who make my work medicine my passions and light shareable to the world. Thank you for feeding my life’s work, my dream, and my family!

Pricing:

• $3-$1,000

Contact Info:

• Website: metalmorphicstudios. square.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metalmorphicstudios/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetalMorphicStudios/

Image Credits
Chelsey Ray (raysoflightshots.com)