Carved in Spirit: A Conversation with Blumera
Blumera joins Big Bang with a rare presence: sculptural pieces shaped entirely by hand, rooted in lineage, spirituality, and a deep respect for craft. Founded by artist Mehera Blum, the brand lives at the intersection of Bali’s carved-wood traditions and Italian metalwork, drawing from her family’s history of artisans and the luminous paintings of her late mother, Laurie Blum.
For Big Bang Faena, Mehera created a limited-edition wooden handbag carved from the murals in the hotel’s lobby. It reflects the way she works: quietly, intentionally, and always in collaboration with master artisans who approach each piece as a sacred object meant to last generations.
We spoke with Mehera about carving in temples, working from intuition, and creating objects that hold both artistry and spirit. In person, she speaks the way she works: with intention, clarity, and a strong sense of lineage. What follows is a short conversation about the treasures that guide her, the places that inspire her, and the process behind the Blumera x Faena collaboration.
-We are big treasure hunting fans. What is the story behind your favorite treasure?
My favorite treasures were given to me by Mehera Irani, whom I was named after. Mehera was the Beloved of Meher Baba, and so I think of Mehera as the Divine Feminine.
When I was seven years old, I took a journey of a lifetime to meet her in India. It was such a momentous occasion and I prepared a ballet dance to the Sugar Plum Fairy to perform for her and everyone gathered. At the end of the dance she presented me with little gifts that were so thoughtful and meaningful. They included beautiful faux flowers to weave into my braid, bangles in a multitude of colors, and a turquoise necklace and multicolor crystal necklace. She also gifted my mother and me material from the bazaar, which we then took to a tailor to make dresses. There are also gifts left to me by my mother that I treasure deeply — especially her paintings. Since she passed away, her paintings have become living reminders of her, and I use them as the foundation for my creative work.
My favorite place in the world is India. It is the home and birthplace of Meher Baba and so it holds a profound significance for me. It is also where I first traveled as a child to meet Mehera Irani, and it’s where I feel the strongest connection to spirit, beauty, and purpose. The colors, the people, the devotion, the depth — all of it awakens something in me. Many of my visions come to me when I am traveling, but when I arrive in India, I breathe a sigh of relief and feel that I am home.
I also have a very deep love for Japan and Italy. I love the food, the reverence for beauty, and the passion to create at the highest caliber, with an incredible attention to detail and craftsmanship.
I am very inspired by color, nature, and my mother’s paintings. I love working with natural
materials like wood and brass. My creative process is a bit esoteric: I receive visions — perhaps you could say from another inspired realm — and these visions really excite me. I feel so much passion to create.
I have artistic creation on both sides of my family. My mother was a world-renowned painter and her work was incredibly inspired. My grandfather on my paternal side founded Blumcraft, a globally recognized firm that created the glass and metal fixtures and some of the architectural foundation for I. M. Pei’s Pyramid at the Louvre, the White House, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and other iconic buildings around the world. The love for my trade came to me as a natural fusion of these two bloodlines.
-What is it like for you being a creative in today's world?
I am very sensitive, especially to energy. I think most artists have a heightened sensitivity. It is important to me to create pieces that are uplifting and high vibration, and as such, I sometimes have to protect myself and my energy, especially in today’s world. There is so much darkness and so I look for the light and aim to be a part of the light
-What actions do you take in your work process to make it more sustainable?
Sustainability is a core part of Blumera’s DNA and ethos. We use upcycled wood and brass (or wood that was cut long ago or left over from other projects). Our artisans work from home or in the temple in comfortable environments where they set their own wages and schedules. We do small batch, made-to-order production, with the intention that these creations will become the heirlooms of the future, passed down from generation to generation. Our creations are made with love, care, integrity, and the highest level of craftsmanship so that they will live a very long life.
-If you could collaborate with any artist or creator, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
My mother’s paintings are the foundation of my work, and I trace her actual brushstrokes when creating the carvings, and so I fortunately collaborate with her continually.
I’ve had the honor of creating commissioned furniture, chandeliers, and bags and other works for living artists, including Beyonce and Lady Gaga, which has been incredibly meaningful. Lady Gaga said that my bag is the most beautiful one she owns, which is such a beautiful compliment coming from someone who has access to everything.
One of my favorite collaborations was for the Met Gala. I created the bag in Italy and remember saying, “This feels like old school Versace.” I didn’t know who it was for — it was just a vision coming through me. Years later that bag ended up at the Met Gala, paired with an archival Versace dress on Emily Ratajkowski. It was such a powerful confirmation that when something is meant to be, it finds its way into the world effortlessly.
I call my creations Sacred Luxury because they are high-vibration vessels of love. It is a new category I am pioneering — where deep spirituality and the highest craftsmanship meet. Each creation is hand-carved in a temple by Pak Mangku, a Balinese priest and Blumera’s full-time carver. I trace my mother’s brushstrokes by hand as the basis for the carving, and then sitting sit side by side with Pak Mangku and guide his hands to bring the vision to life. Every creation has a quote of love by Meher Baba inscribed on the interior, and so the pieces carry a high vibration. I tell my collectors that not only do they receive a boost by carrying or being around the creation, but everyone they come into contact with also receives a boost, even unknowingly.
