Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Swearingen.
Hi Heather, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in craft rooms and workshops all throughout my life, experiencing many different mediums and creative outlets. It came naturally in adulthood to search for my own hobbies and passions to express myself creatively. I dabbled in a variety of artistic avenues before finding myself in a hobby store purchasing a metal stamping kit that would eventually lead me down the road to my true calling working with gemstones and sterling silver. I’m self-taught and hold my creations to high standards so that my customers may come to know and rely upon a caliber of jewelry and transparency that is often missing in this day and age. I dedicate myself completely to each individual piece while making sure no shortcuts are taken, as I truly hold a deep desire to provide beautiful -but reliable- handmade jewelry. I mindfully source high-quality recycled sterling silver from ethical suppliers and genuine gemstones from small family-owned businesses and lapidary artists.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are so many aspects to running small handmade business that I had no idea would challenge me both personally and professionally. Being a self-taught metalsmith in the first few years was extremely difficult until I found a community I could turn to with questions and support. Each piece I make seems to unveil another lesson worth learning. Aside from making my jewelry, I also had to learn how to run a business on my own. Scratch that. I’m STILL learning constantly. I’ve had to do a lot of self-reflection and lean into my strengths but also challenge my weaknesses. I’m so grateful to have such an amazing support system because it can be a rollercoaster at times.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I choose to separate myself not only through the quality and crafts-woman-ship, but also through the extraordinary attention to detail and a desire to honor Mother Nature by creating small-batch, sustainable wearable art that can be cherished for many lifetimes. Handmade using mindfully sourced recycled sterling silver and genuine gemstones.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
An essential quality/characteristic that I feel is most important to the success of my handmade jewelry brand would have to be – connection. Jewelry is such a personal thing. It not only is a connection and expression of someone’s own unique style but it’s also a sentiment formed between individuals. When I make a piece of jewelry I put my heart and soul into each one. I have the most amazing customers and It’s wonderful to get a little inside peek into their lives. I love seeing my work out in the wild or hearing the stories of who it was gifted to. Knowing that my art has such a bigger meaning behind it than just “being pretty” gives me purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://heatherlouisejewelry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherlouisejewelry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherLouiseJewelry
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtcYtqh59T2vvauPSNzaNuA
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/HeatherLouiseJewelry
Image Credits
Brittany Phillips
