METALMARK BLOG

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1. When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in jewelry design?

When I was 15 years old, an opportunity arose to apprentice with a jewelry designer. I took it, and I immediately fell in love. This designer gave me the tools I needed, as well as bags and bags full of overstock gemstones. She taught me the basic techniques I needed to get going on my own. I continued to make jewelry, but it wasn’t until college — when I moved from small-town Connecticut to Los Angeles, only 15 minutes from the city’s famed Jewelry District — that it again became central to my life. In my last year of college I had business credits to fulfill, and so I decided to do an independent study, start a fictitious jewelry company and write a business plan. From here I applied for a juried art show, and once accepted, I had a store buyer approach me and landed my first wholesale account. This was the beginning of the making of Bloom Jewelry.

2. What did you study in school?

I graduated college with a split focus in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. 

3. What was the first  job you landed out of college?

After I picked up my first account, I continued to seek new stores and find ways to grow Bloom Jewelry. In Bloom's infancy stage, I worked other jobs centered around children and families in order to support myself while building Bloom.

4. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career, what would it be?

That it wouldn't be easy, and that there wasn't one clear path. That once you thought you figured it out, things would inevitably change as the fashion world, is such a fast paced industry. I would tell myself to trust my instincts, follow my gut, try my best and it will all work out as it's meant to.

5. What was your biggest fear when starting your own line?

My biggest fear was "will I run out of ideas over time?" Fortunately in 15 years this has yet to happen. This is because I find inspiration in the new materials we work with collection after collection. There is always something new and exciting to fuel my creativity. I love that it is always a new adventure season after season.

6. Where do you go for inspiration when designing a new collection?

At the start of each year we head to the world's largest gem show in Tucson AZ. We do our research ahead of time and go down with a color story in mind that matches the pantone story of the fashion world. And the hunt is on for rare, new, unusual textures, cuts, and shapes of gemstones within our color story that we've never worked with or that we can reinvent in a new way. The inspiration lies in the gemstones we discover.

7. What is your favorite part about being a designer?

Designing of course! I love the process from start to finish, researching color stories and trends, hunting for and hand selecting new and unusual gemstones, and then the hands on building of the line. Even though we have a production team, I still love physically making the jewelry too!

8. What would you tell a young girl who wants to grow up to be a jewelry designer?

Jewelry Design is a competitive field but finding your niche and what separates and differentiates you will be most important.

9. What role do you think social media plays in fashion today?

I think social media is a great tool in fashion today. It lets your audience get to know your brand, your beliefs, your vision and connects in a visual way that words sometimes cannot. I was intimidated and overwhelmed by it at first but am finding that it's just another place within our business to be creative and share our overall vision. I feel it gives a company a visual voice.

10. What do you look for when hiring an employee? 

Our company is small and intimate and like a second family. Our core values are respect, honesty, dependability, hard work, and flexibility. As a small company of 6 women we know that what's happening with one team member greatly affects the whole, however we are there to support one another and help each other both personally and professionally. 

Thank you so much for answering our questions, Lindsay! 

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If you follow us on Instagram, then you are probably already familiar with our Foundrae obsession. These modern heirloom pieces are a fresh, new way to wear meaningful medallions. Each Foundrae piece is a reminder of where you’ve been and where you’re going. Each symbol is an expression of something meaningful to you, a way for you to tell your story.

We love all the layered necklace looks, and all of the celebs do too. You can start with just one medallion and then continue to add to it. Some of our favorite pieces are the gold dream medallion, the pink champleve passion medallion, and the red strength cigar band. But don’t just take our word for it... Check out some of our favorite celebs rocking Foundrae pieces. Clearly, they are just as obsessed as we are.

SHOP FOUNDRAE 

Kyle Richards

Olivia Wilde, Scarlett Johansson & Michelle Obama

Gwenth Paltrow

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichehie 

Amber Herd

SHOP FOUNDRAE 

Nicole Pence Becker visited our Carmel store and picked out her favorite pieces. Nicole is a friend of the store, mama to 3 sons born in 13 months, former TV anchor, Indiana native, and owner of Pence Media Group. As a mom-on-the-go, she leans toward easy, everyday favorites & pieces that can stand the test of time. Check out her pics and look forward to hanging out with her for an in-store shop, sip & self-care event on May 8. 

SLJ PETAL JACKETS + DIAMOND STUDS + JADE TRAU EAR CUFFS

Obviously, these were my favorite look since I had to take them home with me! Such a trendy way to add something fun to your classic diamond studs. Happy Mother’s Day to ME! I added on the ear cuff for some edginess. The ear cuffs slide right on so you don’t even need a piercing. // Shop Jackets // Shop Ear Cuff 

HOUSE COLLECTION HEART NECKLACE

I love turquoise, say no more. // Shop House Collection 

JADE TRAU KISMET HOOP EARRINGS

I love all things Jade Trau and am excited to check out her pieces at the trunk show during my event, but in particular, I think these Kismet earrings are such a fun take on the traditional diamond stud. Classic and versatile but still unique. // Shop Jade Trau 

FOUNDRAE PASSION + NEW BEGINNINGS

The ladies at Metalmark are obsessed with Foundrae, and so am I. This necklace has a passion and new beginnings medallion. This is a piece you can dress up or dress down. You can also customize and continue to add charms to the necklace! // Shop Foundrae 

FERN TURQUOISE BRACELET & JADE TRAU PENELOPE SLIDE BRACELET

These bracelets are both really wearable pieces. The little diamonds actually slide around and I like that the 5 stones represent all my boys and I <3 how the turquoise piece can complement everything. I’m a sucker for a pop of color! // Shop Jade Trau 

LINE AND HUE PERIDOT + SAPPHIRE EARRINGS

The color in these earrings is so eye-catching. Metalmark has so many one-of-a-kind pieces - I appreciate the curated pieces the #bossladies pick for their Metalmark customers. This is not a jewelry store with a “one-size-fits-all” mentality. // Shop Line + Hue 

RING STACK

Ring Stacks continue to be very trendy -- and, they can demonstrate special life moments. For example, the additional birth of a child next to your wedding band helps tell your story. I think jewelry should be a reflection of your brand and your life. // Shop House Collection 

LINE + HUE 3 OPAL RING

I’ve honestly never seen an opal with this amazing pink color in it, POP THAT PINK, MAMA! This ring will definitely make a statement with any outfit. // Shop Line + Hue 

BOHEMI FEATHER LEATHER EARRINGS

These earrings are trendy and actually lightweight. They’re the perfect, flirty piece for your white t-shirt or to add something fun to your date night outfit. // Shop Earrings