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Life and Work with Virginia Hay-Arthur

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Virginia Hay-Arthur.

Virginia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
So, this whole experiment started when I was 10 years old. I went to a friend’s birthday party and made my first piece of jewelry: a beaded necklace with a twisted wire cross pendant. From that moment on, I was HOOKED. I was beading necklaces, bracelets, earrings, anklets, key-chains, and pretty much anything you can think of for all of the people I knew (my poor father included 🙂 ). Going into college, art was still my passion, but most traditional colleges don’t have courses in jewelry making and I got a scholarship to play Division 2 volleyball at the University of Montevallo in Alabama. So, I decided to study graphic design with the very rational thought, “I think I will be able to make money after I graduate…” (my parents are awesome businesspeople and instilled this thought process into my psyche). I quickly learned, however, that graphic design was not my happy place, so after two years, I switched majors and schools. I transferred to Colorado State University to finish my college career in Fort Collins. CSU has a fine arts program with a metalsmithing concentration and I never looked back.

While at CSU, I left my volleyball career behind and started to work for a jewelry store in downtown Fort Collins. It was there that I learned about the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). GIA is one of the most respected diamond and gemstone grading and identification companies in the world. They teach future Graduate Gemologists how to evaluate and identify gemstones and diamonds. With this certification, I could become an appraiser, buyer, sales associate, etc. It was a huge step into the jewelry industry. So, after three years at CSU, I graduated with my Bachelors of Fine Arts (and a business minor to keep my parents from getting too worried 😊) and headed to Carlsbad California to officially become a Graduate Gemologist. After six months of nothing but microscopes, diamonds, precious gemstones, and a quick road marathon, I landed a job back in Fort Collins with another jewelry business, Goldworks. Goldworks specializes in custom jewelry and they needed another bench jeweler for their shop. I was lucky enough to get the job! Thus began the job of my dreams. I was building custom jewelry (engagement rings, wedding bands, pendants, earrings, etc.), repairing jewelry, designing jewelry, and selling jewelry. It was the best education I could have ever had in all things fine jewelry and my teachers were/are some of the most accomplished jewelers I have ever met. Then, I met a boy… it all came to a happy/sad end when my amazing, red-headed husband and I moved to Westminster. I held on and commuted to Goldworks for a full year after moving, but I found myself absolutely hating the drive. I left Goldworks on good terms (though with a few tears) and decided to make the jump I had been dreaming about making since I was 16 years old watching my parents run two successful businesses. I decided to start my business! Virginia Ann Designs was born! From a shop in my basement (proudly built by both my husband and me), I design, fabricate, and repair all things jewelry.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think any new adventure can have a smooth road… what fun would that be?? So, I grew up with parents who ran their own businesses. They talked about business when I was a kid. I thought I knew exactly what I had gotten myself into and figured building a business would come easily to me. Hahahaha. I was really stupid. Turns out, building a business is hard. I went in with only vague idea of what I wanted my business to look like and just kind of hoped things would come together, but I ended up really struggling with my lack of clarity. It has taken over half a year to nail down the integral purpose of my business and identify the services I offer my clients. Honestly, things could still change as I continue to learn. Now, I don’t think I should consider this journey of discovery the main struggle. New things always take some time to come together. My real struggle was the guilt and shame I was putting on myself for not having a perfect plan and method of execution. I am a perfectionist at heart (artist, go figure) and the imperfection felt like failure. So, my first bit of advice is this: Nothing about your business is ever going to be perfect so keep moving forward regardless. You will be constantly making mistakes and (hopefully) learning from those mistakes. You and your business will grow and change along the way. Embrace the imperfection. It is the only way to learn how to get better.

My second bump in the road has been going from working with a team of fun, creative, and loud individuals to a basement shop by myself… it gets lonely and waaaaaay too quiet. I miss being able to bounce ideas off my coworkers and ask questions. When I was unsure of my next step, I was always able to ask one of the incredibly talented jewelers next to me for a solution. Now, it is just me and I find myself missing the camaraderie. I have discovered, though, that I am suddenly learning A LOT more because I have to work through most of my problems alone. I feel like I am really discovering what I am capable of. That being said, I still think it is important to have someone (or even better a network of someones), to talk all things business with. I believe asking for help, advice, opinions, or thoughts is critical to be a good entrepreneur. Figure out a way to build that network, whether it is through networking groups, online groups, friends, family, and/or other experts or newbies in your industry. You need the interaction and you can learn a lot.

Finally, be confident!! I know everyone says this, but it is something I consciously work on every day. I have consistently doubted my ability to be a force in this industry. There are days, I sit down and feel like I was naive for thinking I had the skill to build this business. I know, however, those unhelpful thoughts are going to lead me straight to where I am sullenly thinking I belong. It is far more productive to believe in yourself and your goals. There are going to be moments of weakness but push through and know you really can accomplish whatever you want if you CHOOSE to believe you can do it. I have to make that choice every day.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a custom jeweler. I built/am building a business called Virginia Ann Designs that specializes in custom jewelry, jewelry repair, and jewelry design. I also sell pieces of finished jewelry in the store on my website. What makes me different from other jewelers/jewelry stores is that I will come to your home, office, or favorite coffee shop to work with you. My goal is to make custom jewelry and jewelry repair convenient and approachable. I can design and make engagement rings, wedding bands, anniversary gifts, birthstone jewelry, etc. I can laser engrave names, dates, fingerprints, mountain ranges (really anything) on rings, pendants, earrings, and bracelets. I can clean and repair your great grandmother’s favorite pendant or the engagement ring you never take off. And I can answer just about any jewelry-related question you might have (if I can’t, I will find someone that can).

Some of my specific services are:
In-home jewelry clean and checks – I will fit into your busy schedule and come to your house to clean and check your pieces of jewelry. Every six months or so, you should have the pieces of jewelry you wear most often checked to make sure all of the stones are still tight, that there is enough metal on top of the stones, that the stones are not damaged, and that the structure of the piece is still sound. And your jewelry will look SO much better once it is sparkly and clean. 🙂

Custom jewelry design – Whether you are looking for an engagement ring or a birthday gift, I can help design something perfect AND in your budget. I work in gold, silver, and platinum and can source diamonds and gemstones to suit whatever project you are interested in, or I can work with the stones and metal you already have.

Jewelry repair – Our jewelry occasionally needs a little love. I can re-size a ring, re-tip prongs, replace broken or missing stones, tighten stones, repair broken chains, and just about anything else you can think of.

Jewelry parties – this is an exciting new service I am offering! You have a group of friends (5-8) that you would like to host. Each guest will bring up to three pieces of jewelry that they either want cleaned, repaired, re-designed or pieces they have a specific question about. I will come to wherever you are hosting the get-together and work with each person to both clean and check their jewelry and answer all of the questions they might have.

Finished jewelry lines – I make and sell original pieces of jewelry on my website! Anything from ring holder necklaces (to hold your rings while doing something awesome, but perhaps not so awesome for your ring), to nature-inspired earrings, to laser-engraved tree necklaces. AND most of it can be customized.

Ultimately, the core of my business is working with people. I love talking about jewelry and brainstorming different designs and ideas. I love making something that either you will wear, or give to a loved one to wear, for many years to come. It really is an honor to be trusted with such important pieces of our lives and I love getting the opportunity to work with so many amazing people!

There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
I have personally found that finding a mentor is a difficult task. I honestly don’t have someone that I would consider a mentor and am still on the hunt! Networking, however, is going to be one of the best ways to eventually find that person. I am in two different networking groups and both help me in different ways. I found both through meetup.com and through other small business owners. It just took going to a bunch of different networking meetings and seeing which ones fit me and my business the best. After you find a few, meeting more people and expanding your network becomes easier. I also look for other, not so network-y ways to grow my network. Volunteering, hobby groups, and church have also been great ways for me to meet people.

Pricing:

  • Custom can fall in a wide range of price points (usually starting around $100 depending on the project) and I ask for a deposit before any work is done.
  • In-home jewelry clean and checks start at $30 for the first hour.
  • My in-home jewelry parties are free! If you are willing to host, I will not charge for my services.
  • Jewelry repair can also range WIDELY in price, but typically my minimum is $35.

Contact Info:

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