Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Laurel Baker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Laurel, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I specialize in heirloom jewelry redesign. I work to preserve a sentimental piece by recreating it to fit the customers style. A recent jewelry redesign involved a father’s wedding and the mother’s diamond from her wedding ring. Redesigned and repurposed into a gorgeous diamond pendant.
I’ve worked on pieces that involved several heirloom stones to create rings for grandchildren. Another popular trend is a bride that wants to incorporate heirloom stones into their custom wedding band.
Projects like these are meaningful and bring purpose to my job as a jewelry designer. I love to see the reactions as a client opens the jewelry box to see their new treasured piece.
There is a powerful story behind jewelry that can be cherished from generation to generation.
Laurel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I own Anchor Boutique, a fine jewelry store located in the Nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida, and the principal designer at Laurel Baker Rings. After receiving a Fine Arts Degree from the University of Florida, I studied stone cutting, metalsmithing and worked with my father in his jewelry shop to perfect my skills.
I started this business because it was a natural next step after several years of making jewelry and traveling to places like New York City, for designer shows.
My shop gives me an incredible challenge every day, but a challenge I thoroughly enjoy and embrace. My shop feels like a living, breathing thing to me. I have customers new and old from around the world walking through the doors daily and I have to work constantly to provide the best customer service to all of my walk-in clients while also maintaining my signature retail experience with a large selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry, as well as giving the one-on-one attention to couples who deserve a custom engagement ring experience that they will remember for a lifetime.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Jewelry can be timeless and handed down from generation to generation. It tells a story that is personal, meaningful and transferable.
Recreating heirloom pieces and watching the reaction of clients will never get old. I love to see the tears of excitement and the gasps of surprise.
Designing engagement rings and custom wedding bands for clients is an honor I don’t take for granted. Working with clients on a dream ring, I learn their story, creating a ring that represents their personality and joining of two families.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
This year marks my 12th year of owning a brick-and-mortar retail shop. This business offers an array of challenges, and over the past 12 years, the shop has survived many potential obstacles: Recession, hurricanes, global pandemic. In my personal life, becoming a single parent and losing my father to cancer also added challenges I’ve had to work to overcome.
My shop gives me an incredible challenge every day, but a challenge I thoroughly enjoy and embrace.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.anchorboutique.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/anchorb
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anchorboutique/
Image Credits
Kelsey Breton Photography