Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Schwab. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
As an artist, I’ve always been drawn to creating bold, vibrant, and playful jewelry. So when I was approached to craft memorial pieces from flowers taken from a young woman’s funeral, I found myself completely caught off guard. The flowers felt like they carried the weight of that day—laden with grief and the emotional energy of loss. It was daunting, and I hesitated, unsure how to approach the task of transforming them into something beautiful. The pressure to honor her memory and create something meaningful was immense, and I was afraid of mishandling the materials or not living up to the significance of the moment. After sitting with the project for a while, I reached out to the woman who commissioned the pieces and asked her to share stories about her friend. Learning about her life brought her essence into focus, and that shift helped me move from seeing the flowers as symbols of grief to viewing them as part of a life full of color, joy, and beauty. From there, I was able to create pieces that felt bright, alive, and celebratory—reflecting the person she was. In the end, these memorial pieces became some of the most meaningful work I’ve ever done
Lauren, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Creating has been a constant thread woven through my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was always immersed in some kind of artistic pursuit—whether it was coloring, sculpting miniature worlds from Fimo clay, or transforming ordinary household objects with paint. I even made my own jewelry for prom, and I still recall how proud I felt wearing those pieces, as if they were an extension of my creative spirit. Art has always been a place of safety for me, a world where I could explore freely. I pursued every avenue of artistic education available to me and eventually became an art major in college. While painting remains a passion of mine, something shifted for me in 2017 when I stumbled upon resin. I had been searching for a sealant for a series of paintings I was preparing for a show, and when I discovered that the resin kit included jewelry molds, curiosity took over. I couldn’t resist trying my hand at something new. What began as an experiment quickly grew into something organic and unexpected. I started making jewelry just for myself, but the process felt so natural, so instinctive, that it soon blossomed into something more. One day, while wearing a pair of my own earrings, I was asked to set up a display in a local store. Soon after, I opened an Etsy shop, and sales began rolling in. That moment sparked a creative surge in me that hasn’t stopped. It’s funny how life leads you to exactly where you’re meant to be—jewelry had always been there, waiting for me, stitched together by small moments over time. Ideas flood my mind constantly. I jot them down as they come, whether it’s in the middle of the day or in the stillness of the night. I’ve learned to honor that flow of inspiration, no matter how spontaneous.
In terms of discipline, I make sure to get into my studio several times a week. It’s a space I’ve come to recognize as essential to my process. Even when I walk in without a clear idea, simply being in that creative environment, surrounded by materials, sparks something in me. I can lose myself in the act of making. Over time, I’ve realized how important it is for my creative space to be just that—a world of its own. It needs to be open, accessible, and above all, a sanctuary for experimentation. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is taking on commissions. Unlike many artists who shy away from them, I truly love the process. There’s something magical about collaborating with a client, understanding their vision, and then translating that into a piece of jewelry that is both personal and meaningful. It challenges me in ways that keep my creativity alive, and the relationships I build through those conversations are incredibly rewarding. When working on a commission, I often create several variations of the idea, giving the client a chance to be part of the process. I’m always open to collaborating on special, one-of-a-kind pieces—it’s an opportunity to blend my own artistic voice with someone else’s story.
What started as a resin jewelry business has now evolved into metlasmithing and embroidery as well. I am always open for a conversation about creating a one of a kind piece. Whether it is resin, silver embroidery or all three mixed together you can always reach out through Etsy, instagram or email. I love talking to clients and I will respond!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in my jewelry journey is to let go of caring what others think. I’ve come to accept that my work isn’t for everyone, it doesn’t have to be—it’s for the people who resonate with it. In the early stages, I became aware that some people in my life were mocking my designs and this career path. That awareness made me hesitant to share my creations, fearing they would be picked apart or ridiculed. I’ve even had friends and family unfollow me on social media, and one friend went so far as to call me “delusional.” To this day, that comment still makes me laugh. But over time, I’ve realized that those reactions say more about them than they do about me. When I see other artists bravely putting their work out into the world, I find it worth celebrating. There’s something beautiful in accepting and supporting creative expression, rather than denying or tearing it down. Ultimately, what others think of my work doesn’t matter. What matters is the joy it brings me and the people who connect with it. For every person who may dislike a piece I create, I know there are others who love it. The act of putting yourself out there is undeniably intimidating, but once you push past that fear, the possibilities become endless. I’ve come to embrace the fact that my designs won’t appeal to everyone, and that’s exactly what makes my work unique. Each piece is a reflection of my imagination, and I think there’s something incredible in that.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
For a long time, I believed that my creative process was something I had to navigate entirely on my own. Asking for help felt off-limits, as if seeking advice from other artists or inquiring about their tools and techniques would somehow breach the integrity of my own creativity. While some artists may still feel that way, I’ve come to realize that most do not. In fact, I’ve discovered the most beautiful sense of community within the Denver art scene, where the ethos is one of mutual support. We lift each other up, celebrate each other’s successes, and openly share knowledge. Maintaining an open dialogue with fellow artists is essential to me now. I want to be the person other creators feel comfortable coming to with their questions. If someone reaches out to me with resin questions, I’m happy to share every trick and tip I’ve learned—often through trial and error. I believe that generosity will come back in positive ways, fostering a spirit of collaboration rather than competition. Too often, artists worry about others copying their work, but I view it differently. When an artist asks about my process, I see it as an opportunity to connect and form a friendship. The creative path can be overwhelming, isolating, and strange at times, and forging those connections is vital. In sharing what we know, we not only help each other navigate the challenges but also create a stronger, more vibrant artistic community
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: @stardust_and_vines
- Other: tiktok: @stardust_and_vines
email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Lauren Schwab