Every Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

So without further delay, let me introduce the awesome Viki Ackland…

Co-creator of Lipstik Indie Reviews, which proclaims itself to be “all about Indie Artists”, Viki Ackland is also the owner and designer of the incredibly funky 2mile Jewellery. Using the honest and direct words “creative, introverted, feminist, vegan” to describe herself and appreciating “how we are all part of a living circle”, Viki definitely sounds like a Shameless Woman to me!

What drives you to do what you do?

In a creative aspect, I have this need to contribute something, to get the ideas in my head out somehow, whether it be the making of my jewellery or writing or even painting. I do not paint often, I see an idea in my head and that is when I act on it. In everyday life being vegan inspires me and has changed my life. I now appreciate how we are all part of a living circle and we should respect that. It makes the artistic approach seem more important somehow.

2 Mile Jewellery

How does being a woman empower / challenge you?

Well, I love women. I think we have a special power and place in life that has been stepped on for years, and is grossly abused in many areas of the world. Women are brilliant and interesting and need to know that they do not need any one person or situation to justify their lives in any way. But, this is also challenging as we live in a world where this is always being challenged.

What advice would you give to young women who want to follow in your footsteps?

Do what moves you, inspires you. Follow your heart. Do not listen to the negative. Is it only life, after all. We make it far too serious. Turn off the TV, read more, and try to find the thing that makes you happy. Don’t settle. If you feel the artist inside you, explore it.

Name one person, place, or thing every young woman should know about?

There are so many notable women, both those who are famous and those who should be more well known. Sometimes inspiration is found in your circle of friends. I admire Carrie Derick, Nellie McClung, who had a role in Canadian women being declared persons in 1929. We still have a long way to go.

What is the most important thing we can do in order to change the world?

Well, I would have to say we need to stop eating meat. Our environment is being destroyed with the over-consumption of meat, not to mention our health. Leonardo Da Vinci once said, “There will come a day, when men like myself will look upon the murder of animals in the same way we view the murder of men”. With this enlightenment comes compassion, which perhaps would spill over into other aspects of life as well. There is an imbalance in the world.

You can check out all of Viki’s creations as well as her upcoming shows on her website for 2mile Jewellery.

If you are a singer, band, spoken word artist, comic book creator, writer (from zines to novels), have an ezine or online DIY store, or are a lover of any of the former, make sure to visit Lipstik Indie Reviews.