Meet Rachel Dawn Stych

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Dawn Stych.

Rachel, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It all started with my favorite lady, my grams. She had this gorgeous antique jewelry box full of her mother’s costume jewelry. It was my favorite thing to play with as a child. I would open it and lay all of the necklaces out and imagine my great grandmother, Mattie Mae, with her hand-embroidered aprons and dark-rimmed glasses hosting dinner parties and sipping on sidecars. One day, my grams encouraged me to redesign her mother’s jewelry. Like a kid in a candy store, I ripped them apart, beads flying, to create my own eclectic pieces- my style was evident even then. And that right there would be my first memory of making jewelry. I still own some of those creations to this day. I’m not going to say they’re amazing or anything, but I was like ten. I cherish them just the same though. I have my grams to thank for always encouraging me to do the things I love. I hope everyone has one person in their life like that. Absolutely priceless.

Has it been a smooth road?
I am an analog girl in a digital world. I am a creative and I love to make. Sadly, that is only a fraction of what it takes to be a successful small business owner. I was never interested in being a graphic designer, accountant, web designer, and photographer but that’s just part of the gig. It’s been a slow and steady rise over the last ten years and every hurdle I clear fills me with such a sense of pride and accomplishment.

My business now allows me to support my family of four (including two beautiful babies). I am thankful every day to share my passion with people. Jewelry is such an intimate item. When you buy my designs you leave with a piece of my heart and often even a hug. I spend hours, sometimes days with each piece. Knowing the pieces I make will live on past my own years inspires me to create with care and intention. No one ever said it would be easy but man, it is worth it.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Rachel Dawn Designs originated more than a decade ago with a calling to create just a little more sparkle in the world. My inspiration is simple: Mother Nature – her power, beauty, and inherent wisdom. I focus on slowly made metalwork that mirrors the perfect imperfections found in nature. With the use of natural gemstones, I highlight the organic allure of this wild world. Through these minimalist designs, I help my clients connect with their own inner beauty and harness a little bit of Mother Nature’s power! We all need to find our wild.

I am best known for my line of minimalist hammered jewelry. Cold forging allows me to make each piece one of a kind as I can never strike my hammer the same way twice. In the last year, I started focusing on one of a kind jewelry made with raw gemstones. What can I say, I’m a sucker for some earth candy!

This year, I decided it was time to level up and focus on one of a kind work and stone setting. My new designs have been received very well from my loyal clients. I am connecting with my work on a deeper level and I think it shows. I am so inspired. Honestly, I feel like I’m on fire!

What is the proudest moment of your career?
I am really pumped about this year so far. It’s terrifying and exhilarating to step out on a limb. Seeing my clients as excited as I am about my new work is so satisfying! But I think my proudest moment goes back to college. I received a BFA from Colorado State University with a double concentration in metalsmithing and fibers. I love the two mediums dearly and my senior year, I combined the two. By weaving fabric on a loom and casting it into metal, I essentially made metal fabric! It was SO HARD! There were a lot of failures and actually I was told it wouldn’t work. That was a “hold my beer” kind of moment. Not only did I do it, but I also made some stunning jewelry out of it. I am happy to report my loom is threaded and ready for weaving! I’m getting back at it. Stay tuned, world!

Pricing:

• Earrings $40-72
• Necklaces $50-400
• Bracelets $22-60

Contact Info:

• Website: www.racheldawndesigns.etsy.com
• Email: racheldawndesigns@gmail.com

Image Credit:
Stephanie Wager

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.