Mermaid gems handmade with love, by me!
Every piece of jewelry I have collected throughout my life has a memory and an attached significance to it: whether it be my mom's vintage turquoise cuff she passed down to me or the bracelets and rings I've picked up in my travels around the world.
Coming from a family of creators, I have grown up exploring different crafts, eventually discovering my calling for jewelry making and metal smithing. I incorporate unique stones and one of a kind shells in my work, highlighting my love for the ocean and natural beauty. Each piece is hand made and creatively unique as I use quality sterling silver and gold filled metals. Through designing and making my collections, it is my way of sharing this light that collecting and creating jewelry has brought to me over the years. My style and inspiration have evolved as a part of me, and it is something I feel is built upon through my experiences in all aspects of my life.
Making jewelry started as a hobby and I am so grateful that other people like my work enough to allow me to turn it into a small business. I have always been connected to the ocean on a soul level. My friends refer to me as a mermaid, and I can't image a higher compliment. The ocean feeds my soul and centers me completely. If I am ever feeling lost or going through a hard time, I take a swim in the healing salty water and it is like therapy for me. I started collecting shells ever since I can remember, from walks on the beach and eventually from free diving and snorkeling excursions. My sister lives in Hawaii, so I frequent the Islands visiting her and my nephew and (brand new) niece. My collection of shells is where my jewelry making started. An odd fact about me is that I have never swam in the ocean without wearing a shell on me. As much as I respect sharks and value their importance in the ocean, they have also been a source of fear for me. I convinced myself that by wearing a shell, sharks would sense that I am a "friend not food"- yes this is a finding nemo quote. It sounds even more ridiculous as I write it, but I speak the truth. After years of collecting, I had such a beautiful collection of shells and sea glass that I wanted to make them into wearable pieces. I started out with a beginner metalsmithing 3 hour class about 3 years ago, where I learned how to do basic solder joints. I found a more intense class in Orange County that was about 3 months long, and we met once a week during that three months. This is where I learned all of my technical skills. I retook the same class 3 times, as there was not an advanced option available. The teacher customized the material for me and helped with more advanced techniques the second and third time I took the course. I was also slowly purchasing all of my own tools and equipment so that I could have an at-home studio - my roommates at the time were super supportive and understanding when I would set up my make shift jewelry bench in the living room. At the time, I was working at a wine bar and would wear my creations while I was working. I began getting a lot of compliments and people asking where I got my jewelry. I started an instagram for my jewelry back in 2018, where all I had was a logo (that my talented friend helped me create), an instagram handle, and a few styles. I decided to do custom orders only, and that model has stuck with me since. I eventually started making earrings, necklaces, rings, and cuffs as well as the bangles. My favorite stones to work with are larimar, turquoise, and moonstone. I try to use only sustainable materials and support other small businesses while purchasing stones and tools. I also try to give back to important causes whenever I can. The business has naturally grown since, along with my designs. My designs have been sold at a few boutiques in Orange County including the Cleobella boutique in Sunset Beach, CA. I worked for Cleobella for 2 years at the headquarter office - pretty much 80% of my closet is Cleobella at this point - check out their beautiful clothing and bags - it all matches perfectly with my jewelry!
I took a break from jewelry making while I was in Spain, however since I've been back since late March, I have been even busier than before I left - thank you so much to my amazingly loyal customers and new customers! It brings me pure joy that other people love my designs and want to wear them. I feel truly blessed that I am able to share my creative outlet with the world.
Check out my designs here:
My logo! Made by my good friend Haley who is an incredible graphic designer! haleymodirpour.com
Some cone shells from Hawaii
Bracelets with shells from above ^
My shell bangles were featured in a photoshoot for Cleobella's summer collection!
photographer: @tarynkentphoto
As a small business and one woman show, I have to design, make, sell, and model the jewelry! I wear many hats ;)
photographer ^ me (self timer haha)
Some rings I made for a ring sale where all of the proceeds were donated to families in need during the Covid-19 stay at home order. Everything sold within one minute and I was completely blown away by my customers
This is an "in the works" photo - I attempted to do a description of the process but there are wayyy too many steps and unless you know metalsmithing, it probably wouldn't make sense lol
Here is the "after" from the photo above
Me, wearing my favorite larimar 3 stone drop necklace and moonstone hoops - in Hawaii!
A special customer sent me sea glass from her personal collection and we designed these 3 pieces together! It came out so beautiful and I love the light blue tones.
The shell on the left is from Spain and the shell on the right is from Hawaii - two of my favorite places on the planet.
The cowry shell ring in gold!
Here I am in my make shift studio! Rocking my Redwing heritage boots, linked here and Levi's 501 jeans. They are the most comfortable work boots ever and I like to wear them with dresses too :)
Thanks for reading!
XO Tay
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