Meet Carly Llewellyn-Ryan of Sandgrown Studio in Boulder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Llewellyn-Ryan.

Carly, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always been creative and enjoy making things with my hands; from helping my dad with DIY to crochet. Silversmithing was something I’d always been interested in but it wasn’t until I was living in LA a few years ago that I got a chance to dig deeper into that interest.

I started out with a two day course run by Nicole of O Studio Works and then signed up to a UCLA Extension course in Handmade Jewelry with the sensational Dale Hernsdorf. I showed skill in using tools and fabrication early and enjoyed learning the basics. Fast forward almost two years since I started and I’m now living in Colorado but I’ve only really been making silver items to sell for the past six months or so since I’d gathered all the tools I’ve needed to make quality items.

I primarily work with sea glass, which you cannot find in Colorado: there’s no sea! Sea glass is man-made glass waste that’s been worn down and shaped by tide and time. I’m English and, having been born on the North-West coast I am ‘sandgrown’un’, hence the name Sandgrown Studio. I’m able to combine my love of beach combing with my passion for making by incorporating my finds from both the UK and the US with silversmithing and also macrame. I’ve found sea glass in California, New York state, Scotland and England, including some rare colours and pieces. There are certain places in the UK where the glass you find is over 100 years old! You can find pottery too. It’s very special.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Tools are expensive, that’s why it took a long way to get set up. I also work full time at CU Boulder so it’s hard to find the time, or the alertness, to dedicate the time it can take to make the pieces: everything is by hand! I’ve also just started a master’s study so who knows how much time there will be left to create. It’s a relaxing outlet for me, though, and I love to make just for the sake of it! It’s difficult to put yourself out there, too, when it takes a while to get pieces completed. Right now I don’t have enough inventory to do a craft or farmers’ market. Sea glass is niche too and whilst sharing on Instagram through @sandgrownstudio generates most of my sales, there’s a lot of competition and I’m still trying to find my style and learn as I go.

Tell us about your work – what should we know?
My brand is all about ‘being you’. We’ve all weathered storms to reach where we are and that needs to be celebrated. I’m also learning and growing everytime I make something and that’s all we can do in life: learn and grow. Most sea glass artisans are based where the sea glass is; on the coast or by the great lakes etc so there’s very little sea glass in Colorado.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My parents deserve credit, has helped me buy some of the tools that I need as Christmas and birthday gifts. They also put up with me dragging them off to various coasts of the UK when I’m back over there to visit for two weeks each year. This year we will be braving the North-East coast in December; I need to remember to take my ‘big coat’. My husband’s side of the family are also super supportive, they’re always interested in what I make and will buy items for their friends as gifts. Same for my boss. It’s nice to be supported like that.

Pricing:

• Most items in my store range from $20 – $70 and are all handmade
• Most domestic US orders over $35 have free shipping

Contact Info:

• Website: www.etsy.com/shop/sandgrownstudio
• Email: sandgrownstudio@gmail.com
• Instagram: @sandgrownstudio
• Facebook: @sandgrownstudio

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