Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Lewis.
Hi Sarah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been creative and entrepreneurial my entire life. I grew up in upstate NY, where my artistic journey began with ceramics, sewing and glass blowing. I studied Metals & Jewelry and Product Design for my BFA from the Savannah College of Art & Design. My professional career began with designing accessories for boho-chic brand Free People before launching my own small business & jewelry brand in 2009. Over the years, I’ve owned a few brick & mortar boutiques, re-branded & moved locations a few times, and now feel that I’ve found my sweet spot, a happy place with my small business, my craft, and my personal life. I live & work from my home in Evergreen, Colorado. I sell mostly through my website, wholesale through other boutiques & retailers, and occasionally in person at pop-up events.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building and running my creative business over the past 13 years has certainly been a challenging journey, and I have definitely experienced struggles along the way. There were years without profit, which made me question my path and sometimes even consider giving up! There were the growing pains in shifting from my 1st brick & mortar business to e-commerce. I started out hand-making everything myself, and as my brand and demand grew, I faced the challenge of scaling, finding the right manufacturing partners to work with, and developing successful relationships. Over the years, I’ve learned through trial & error which marketing techniques work and to keep up with the constant changes. I learn the designs and styles that sell best and which don’t and evolve my offerings accordingly. I listen to my sales data and customer feedback. Just as in life, I take any setbacks as learning experiences. Although I’ve found a nice groove with running my business, I’m still always learning, growing, and making adjustments.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My original brand Hiouchi Jewels is handmade, bohemian fashion jewelry! Inspired by nature, designs feature moon phases, mountains, sacred geometry, feathers, and zodiac motifs ~ crafted in a palette of natural crystals and stones, silver and gold. Hiouchi Jewels is affordable yet refined. My jewelry designs are an expression of my personal style, as I love to create pieces that I want to wear! I believe jewelry can help women shine and reflect their inner beauty and express a free-spirited style. In addition to Jewelry, I source & sell crystals, rituals & home decor offerings to complement the lifestyle of the women who wear my jewelry.
Rose & Bolt is my officially licensed Grateful Dead Jewelry collection! Launched in 2021, Rose & Bolt has quickly gained a dedicated following, has been worn by the band on stage and is sold in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! Bold statement styles and elegant fine jewelry pieces feature iconic roses, lightning bolts, bears & skulls.
As a lifelong deadhead, Rose & Bolt is my pride & joy. It’s an honor to partner with the Grateful Dead; to combine my love of jewelry with the music, lifestyle, and culture that has been so inspirational to me. To have my designs be a part of such a rich legacy surrounding this legendary rock n’ roll band is a truly special opportunity. Rose & Bolt embraces the new mainstream popularity of the Grateful Dead while remaining authentic, paying homage to its history & classicism. I took the collection on tour with Dead & Company this summer, and it was such a beautiful experience to connect with the community and my customers!
Any big plans?
I actually do have some exciting news: I’m going to be opening a small brick & mortar showroom in downtown Evergreen! Visits will be by appointment only, and I’m going to create a special, private shopping experience for my customers. We’re planning to open Oct 2022, In just a few weeks! Stay tuned, I’ll announce the location and begin booking appointments soon.
I have some new styles for both Hiouchi Jewels and Rose & Bolt coming out soon for the holidays and some ideas in the works for 2023 that I’m so excited about! This summer, I will take Rose & Bolt on Dead and Company Tour again… I would like to spend more time hand-fabricating special, higher-end one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces; something that has been harder to find time for as my business has grown… Other than that, I plan to “keep on truckin” and continue designing, creating, and selling my jewelry; staying forever Grateful that I have been able to turn my creative passion into a career and that I get to do what I love every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: HiouchiJewels.com and RoseAndBolt.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/HiouchiJewels Instagram.com/RoseAndBolt
- Facebook: Facebook.com/HiouchiJewels Facebook.com/RoseAndBolt
- Twitter: Twitter.com/HiouchiJewels
- Other: TikTok @RoseAndBoltJewelry
Image Credits
Bio pic – Jay Blakesberg all others – taken by me, Sarah Lewis
