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

Lucie, appreciate you joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

One key aspect that differentiates my business from the industry norm is my commitment to handcrafted, made-to-order pieces. As the owner and designer, I take pride in ensuring that every item is unique and personal to the individual who wears it. This dedication to exclusivity and originality is the cornerstone of my brand.

My motto, “design a new piece for yourself,” reflects our commitment to celebrating individualism. I believe in crafting custom pieces that complement and highlight your unique personality and style. Whether you connect with me through Zoom, Google Meets, Skype, Cell Phone or WhatsApp calls, emails, or in-person appointments, I prioritize understanding your vision and transforming it into a tangible, wearable work of art.

Despite being based in Florida, I frequently travel to New York to meet with clients, making our services accessible beyond my immediate location. My inventory is rich and well-researched, offering a wide span of items that cater to diverse tastes. Additionally, I embrace the opportunity to work with materials that hold personal significance to you, such as heirlooms or collected treasures, incorporating them into new creations that preserve their sentimental value while giving them a fresh life.

My website features a beautifully curated selection of pieces available for you to browse and purchase. However, every single piece is customizable, allowing you to take any design as a base for what could be created.

This approach not only ensures that each piece I create is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece but also that it tells a story – your story. By caring deeply for your individualism, I aim to create jewelry that is more than just an accessory; it is a reflection of who you are.

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

My name is Lucie Motherway and I got into creative work at about age 12 when I was inspired to start creating my own earrings and jewelry. I always loved the challenge of crafting and seeing creations come to life in my hands. I was fascinated by how every accessory could transform your appearance, mood, and stance. I honed my craft through high school and college, gaining interest from my peers. Working part-time jobs allowed me to grow my inventory and deepen my understanding of this craft. Although I studied business and economics, I remained dedicated to my jewelry business, which began as a beloved hobby.

At age 20, I moved from the Czech Republic to New York, where I continued to develop my craft while holding several part-time jobs. My jewelry gained popularity, and after four years of hard work, I had saved enough and grown my inventory sufficiently to transition to full-time work as a jewelry designer. For the past 13 years, it has been an honor to run my business.

What sets me apart is my commitment to one-of-a-kind, custom-made pieces. Each piece is an original, photographed and introduced at website, functions and trunk shows. While I may recreate some bestsellers for online sales, a custom piece is always unique to the individual it is designed for. Upon request, I provide videography or photographs of the creation process.

My services range from creating statement headpieces in my home studio in Sarasota, Florida, to restoring, altering, or recreating family bridal heirlooms. I offer both online and in-person appointments.
My extensive research and provision of a wide range of crystals, pearls, flowers, and other unique components allow me to incorporate clients’ visions seamlessly. I’m also skilled at crafting new pieces from materials provided by clients, ensuring their personal touch is integrated into the design.

In addition to jewelry, I offer expert styling tips and maintain a blog featuring hairstyles, current trends, educational materials and more.
My offerings include a wide variety of jewelry, from matching sets to unique pieces such as earrings, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, and pins. I specialize in bridal headpieces and jewelry, including crowns, headbands, combs, pins, wreaths, and custom pieces for the entire bridal party.

I work closely with brides to design unique pieces, creating smaller versions for the bridal party, such as wreaths for flower girls or earrings for bridesmaids that feature a unique component like a birthstone or favorite color.

I am always part of the community and love meeting my clients and making new business connections. At least a couple of times a month, I hold trunk shows at different locations in Florida or New York.
I also participate in bridal expos and jewelry expos, social events such as runway shows and so on.

I offer private functions where my host can bring as many lovely friends as she likes to view my selected collection. I always tailor each function to the client’s taste, and in a small, private group, we can discuss everyone’s style. Whether they choose something from what I have brought to introduce or decide to create their own custom piece, this is a lovely way to meet and connect with my clientele.

Sometimes, I host bachelorette parties or baby showers where my jewelry becomes a fun and interesting addition to the event. I participate in fun games at these parties, including prize wheels and other activities with sparkling prizes.

I also organize parties featuring other vendors to benefit certain occasions, such as bridal events. I work closely with bridal boutiques, photographers, flower shops, venues, and officiants to introduce the whole team to future brides. Additionally, I am involved in fashionable, jewelry-related parties as part of a broader team.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I’m lucky that my hobby of creating jewelry, which brings me great relaxation, has turned into a successful business. I studied business and economics, providing a strong foundation for managing my business with confidence. What started as making pieces for myself and friends grew as I realized how much people appreciated handcrafted jewelry and connecting with the artist.

Turning my side hustle into a full-time business took years of consistency and reinvestment. I always poured profits back into growing my inventory, expanding my knowledge, and learning new techniques. Being open-minded and consistent has been key to my growth, and I am constantly learning and making new connections.

I now have a wonderful team of artists from around the world contributing to my pieces. While the majority of my components are made in the USA, I also incorporate the craftsmanship of artists from Poland, Ukraine, Israel, Italy, and Great Britain and more. This blend of global and local artistry allows me to create unique pieces that my clients love.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

I had a couple of close calls, both related to nature. The first was during Superstorm Sandy while I lived in New York. Just a month before the storm, I had moved to a better, more commercial area near on Manhattan by Brooklyn Bridge, which took years to afford. When Sandy hit, it flooded my building’s lobby and first floor. Though I didn’t have to evacuate, I lost power and water for months, and managing my business and five pets without an elevator in a high-rise was challenging. Financially, it was a very close call. Fortunately, my clients continued to support me, requesting more functions and events, which helped me rebuild and regrow.

The second major obstacle was the COVID-19 pandemic. Living in New York, one of the most restricted cities, made it extremely difficult to run my business with events canceled and people avoiding gatherings. Four months into the pandemic, I moved to Florida, where I found more freedom to conduct my business. I restarted my business with a focus on getting into stores, boutiques, bridal salons, and growing my online presence. I rebranded and adapted post-pandemic, but both events were financially stressful and pushed me to my limits.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Lavlii.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavliiofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavliiofficial/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lavliiofficial
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lavliiofficial
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Lavliihttps://www.pinterest.com/lavliiofficial/

Image Credits

Images taken by Lavlii LLC