I have a few things to share this week because I’ve lined up and have been hosting so many great interviews for The Stay Gold Collective and with spring approaching, I’ve been attending more in-person events in Asheville. 1. Most recently, I had the chance to talk to Allison Heutshe , who opened a beautiful store in LA last year and has a long history and incredible experience in the jewelry industry. There were so many great takeaways from our conversation, but the one that

Focus was my word going into this year. I felt clear on what I'm building, clear on the work happening behind the scenes, and clear on how I wanted to show up more consistently. The past few weeks, though, my visibility slowed. Some feedback got in my head longer than it should have, and the weight of everything happening in the world didn't help. I found myself hesitating instead of creating. The work continued. The marketing didn't. Recently, the Stay Gold Collective and I

If you’re at the Tucson Gem Show right now, I hope you’re finding beautiful gems, staying (mostly) on budget, and connecting with your jewelry community. Last week, during a welcome call with a new Stay Gold Collective member, they shared this:  “When I logged into the platform, I felt like I wasn’t alone in my studio anymore.” Stay Gold began seven years ago after I noticed something at a trade show. Designers, people who were technically competitors, were sharing informatio

Christina Peabody designs and creates pieces intended for everyday wear and heirloom quality, blending thoughtful aesthetics with skilled craftsmanship. Her work reflects a reverence for classic jewelry-making traditions while making each piece feel personal and wearable for modern life. “Stay Gold Collective has been such a beautiful addition to my life and my business. As a bench jeweler, my work can be incredibly isolating at times. This community has provided not only hel

Did you see the trend last week where everyone was sharing photos from 2016? Along with a mix of other emotions, it had me feeling nostalgic.  2016 was a big year for me. It was the year I started working for myself. I curated the JA New York New Designer Gallery for the first time, took on my first client, and made the move from Denver to Asheville. It was a year of mistakes, growth, and so much change. As I was reflecting on that year, I was also in conversation with the St

We’re back! JB Jones and I will be showing up quarterly with a new wishlist. Watch the video and see details about the pieces we selected below. Lizzie Fortunato clear cuffs Judi Geib statement necklace Edie Parker lighter Ciara Bowles cameos Sima G Ltd. Double-strand Emerald bead necklace Suna Bonometti nose ring x 2 and cup Gabriella Kiss earrings Amy Tavern medal Oxbow Designs Dries Van Noten lipstick Made Line pendulum Dusen Dusen placemats Lucie Gledhill chain

I shared something similar in my final note of the year, but I know 2025 was tough for many of you, and you may still be feeling burnt out. I am too. At the same time, I’m feeling energized as we head into this new year. During the holiday break, we had a small virtual happy hour with a group of long-time Stay Gold Collective members. It was simple and grounding, and it reinforced something I already know: community matters more than ever. When I was thinking about choosing a

As I’ve been thinking about what to share as a final note for the year, and realizing I may have been putting a bit too much pressure on it, I thought about a recent conversation I had with  Polly Wales . She talked about her Skull Ring and how bringing it to shows for years didn’t lead to immediate success. Buyers weren’t responding. Instead of cutting it from the collection, Polly and her team believed in the design, so they kept it. Over time, it found its audience and eve

Maggie is an independent jewelry designer and maker based in Chicago, creating meaningful, wearable art. She began her journey in jewelry design in 2024, following four years of experience as an industrial designer. Karmila Darling, named after her late grandmother, is inspired by the warmth, freedom, and playfulness of girlhood. Maggie designs each piece from start to finish, blending modern 3D tools with traditional handcrafting techniques. "Liz has been one of the most gro

Last week, I had the chance to interview Hannah Cole, founder of Sunlight Tax, on her podcast to celebrate the release of her new book, Taxes for Humans . We recorded the episode live at the beautiful Tracey Morgan Gallery in front of an audience, which made the whole experience feel special. I’ve read the book myself and loved how straightforward, kind, and surprisingly funny it is. Hannah has a gift for making complex topics feel human and accessible. The episode is out tod

Maybe you can use this advice now, or bookmark it for January. If you’ve been here a while, you know I often talk about one-to-one outreach. Social media and mass marketing matter, but what really drives sales is real, personal connection . I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. We’re reading Hug Your Customers for the Stay Gold Collective book club, and it’s filled with reminders about the power of genuine connection, especially something as simple as a handwritten no

I know so many of you are deep in production mode or prepping for your last markets, so I wanted to share something simple and grounding from a recent conversation with designer Kimberly Doyle . We chatted with the Stay Gold Collective about her journey, from the Gemgotchi going viral to building a strong audience around her 90s and gemstone-inspired designs, and the biggest theme that kept coming up was this: When you trust your own vision, you create work that connects. He

Promoting your business can feel tough right now. If you can relate, you are definitely not alone. I have been thinking a lot about what jewelers need in this moment. How do we keep sharing our work when everything feels heavy? How do we stay motivated to show up, especially with pricing and marketing? During our weekly co-working session last week, someone asked, “Does anything in business feel good right now?” The answer was creativity. New collaborations like Carlie’s mug

Each piece from The Universe Conspires is handmade by artist Bri McGrew in her solar-powered studio in Pueblo, Colorado. Centered on sustainable sourcing, Bri works with old-stock stones from estate collections or materials purchased directly from miners, prioritizing U.S. mines, and cuts most stones in-house. Every design is made to order, ensuring zero production waste and complete size inclusivity. "I finally made the leap to join Stay Gold earlier this year, and after 15

I’ve been having a lot of conversations lately, both inside The Stay Gold Collective and during one-on-one chats, with designers about the current metal prices. I know it’s top of mind for so many of you right now. A few reminders and tips based on conversations I had with Hilary Halstead Scott  and Sharon Zimmerman this spring, when gold prices first started to rise: ✨ Get creative. Try mixing metals or incorporating alternative materials into your designs. This can open u

In two recent interviews for The Stay Gold Collective - one with talented designer and Teko Gallery owner Alexis Pavlantos , and another with Jeff Feero, Managing Partner at Alex Sepkus - a consistent message stood out: relationships and authenticity are the foundation of a lasting jewelry business. Both shared that while there are many ways to build a career in this industry, success comes from: ✨ Staying true to your vision. Don’t chase trends, make the work you believe i

You’re not creating content to create content. You’re doing it with a goal. This is the main takeaway I want designers to have from my conversations about content strategy and planning. When you have clarity on your goals, everything becomes a little easier. The challenge is often defining and sticking to them while also making sure they align with your why and your values. Right now, my own goals feel tied to overcoming burnout, lightening my workload, improving my relations

Here I am talking about community again - It’s often on my mind, and it’s a priority for me because everything feels so much more...

Between the   Stay Gold Collective , Curated at Luxury Lifestyle, and the  Success with Jewelry  podcast, I have the opportunity to...

I accidentally took more than a month away from email marketing (exactly what I’d encourage you not to do). But sometimes it’s...