We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alix Bluh. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alix below.

Hi Alix, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

One of the biggest risks I took as a jeweler was moving into my studio/gallery. I had a small studio in my home for about a decade before I took on the added rent of a brick and mortar shop with a studio in the loft. I knew it was a big step that required a huge leap of faith, in a small business that supported myself,a full time assistant and a Bookkeeper.
The year I took on this space was 2006. I spent 6 months renovating and building out the space to my specifications.
I have now been at this location for 18 years and it has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a jewelry maker and designer and have been working professionally in the field for over 30 years. Between 1998 and 2015 I had a very busy and steady wholesale business in which I produced jewelry for nearly 150 galleries and boutiques, in 8 countries. Some Catalogs that featured my work were the renowned Sundance and Pendleton catalogs.

Known for my hand carved pieces based in organic nature inspired themes and designs based in antique jewelry like mourning reliquaries.

Today my shop in San Francisco called Modern Relics is cherished for being a hidden gem with beautifully curated art, ceramics, gift and artisan jewelry. I have also worked with dozens of clients throughout these years in creating meaningful heirloom pieces, whether it be Bridal or Memorial jewelry.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My business was greatly affected by the 2008 recession. I had lost many of the galleries and shops over the course of the following couple of years that had kept my wholesale business thriving. The first year went by with orders dropping and reorders not happening.
I tried to maintain work for my assistant, and after keeping her paid for a year of work that I actually easily could have done myself I was financially forced to let her go. It was then that I realized I was in a very fortunate position of having a brick and mortar space. I started to focus on bringing people into my shop for art openings and other similar gatherings and that’s where I pivoted from being a wholesale only business to being almost entirely a retail business. I learned what a joy it was to interact personally with my clients and collaborate on bespoke commissions. One of the most rewarding aspects of moving away from a wholesale business was that I was free to create one-of-a kind work very regularly.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I truly believe that as our society and world at large is facing existential threats on many levels. We are a global consumerists world and people are falling further and further away from feeling a connection to the goods they buy. We are also spending our money online globally and our retailers with brick and mortar stores are showing the demise of support with empty retail and commercial space all over the urban terrain. Here in San Francisco the effect of this is starkly apparent.
There truly is no better way to turn that around than by supporting your small, locally owned brick and mortar shops. Keep your artisans fed by buying their wonderful crafts. Stimulate community through this type of support or even by donating to local organizations that support the arts.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: alix bluh

Image Credits

Alix Blüh