Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mariele Ivy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mariele, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?
One of the most touching client stories involved a tragic accident. We were trusted to create a memorial ring for a woman whose partner was killed in a climbing accident. Earlier in the year they had both been on an epic climbing trip where she had an accident and got a small piece of granite embedded into her calf. They had to surgically remove the tip of this sharp rock from under her skin. A few months later, her partner tragically died in climbing related accident. She came to me for a memorial ring and we were able to use the piece of granite taken from her leg, paired with the birthstone of her partner to make a really one-of-a-kind and special piece. It was nerve-wracking to inlay the stone for her ring because the piece was so small and there was not any excess if I were to mess up. In addition to the physical skill of the inlay being stressful, knowing what the ring was representing was very heavy on my heart. It was an absolute honor to be able to use my skills as a craftswoman in this way. I’ll never forget that ring.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Mariele Ivy, I am the founder and designer of the fine jewelry company, “Young In The Mountains.” The business started as many do, just a solo artist in a garage, but has now expanded to employ 10+ amazing people and to have created thousands of pieces of handmade jewelry. Our specialty is engagement-worthy rings featuring recycled metals, reclaimed diamonds, and proudly 100% American-mined inlay stones. This is a special aspect of our craft. Most jewelers and designers who incorporate inlay stones into their work, do not do their own stone cutting or, “lapidary.” They use pre-cut stones that are often of conflict origins, like Lapis Lazuli or Malachite. Since we can cut our own stones and have relationships with miners, we are able to give known origins for this material that most others would have no answer for. We are on a mission to make sure everyone feels like they can represent their special love or life accomplishments in a way that lets them honor the environment and the values they hold dear.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I grew up in a loving and artistic household. My dad is an artist and craftsman. He builds musical instruments and has made over 110 wooden drift boats. He did all of this alone. He has always been really encouraging to me and supportive of my craft. However, I saw the limit to the reach he could have because he was only one man. He often said he didn’t want to, “train the competition.” I understand that sentiment entirely, but I have always had a really big vision of the reach my creativity could have. I embraced the idea of help very early, because I saw as a child, how much my dad’s body was hurting him and how hard he had to work each night after dinner because there was no one else to help meet the deadline. It was the most valuable lesson to learn firsthand. I have now hired and trained countless people, and I am also quick to share techniques and lessons with other jewelers because I want their shared knowledge as well. Giving younger artists the chance to work professionally as an artist, while they learn from my business and hone their skills, is such an honor. Over the last 7 years, I have scaled my company and hired incredible people. I have had to evolve away from the traditional creativity of the jeweler’s bench and become more of a CEO and an HR manager than I ever thought I would be. It’s allowed my business to thrive and therefore my family life to thrive in ways I never experienced as a child. I find all aspects of running a business very creative. Solving problems is the designer’s way of life!
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
I have been a creator my entire life. It was just natural growing up with a craftsman father. I was sitting at farmers’ markets alongside him since I was a kid. The marketing and sales channels were a lot different in the early 90s than they are today with E-commerce, but I saw the genuine engagement between my dad and his clients. I started selling my own jewelry at farmers’ markets and craft shows when I was 17. I also had pieces on consignment in local galleries. From there, it just evolved from consignment into wholesale once I saw what sold and what margins were in my favor. I learned how to make line sheets and take advance orders on items which allowed me to save time and produce only what was needed. Years of wholesale exposure and success at craft shows started to bring me direct clients and eventually social media and direct website traffic. When I had the stability of multiple accounts to hire help with production, I moved more into the marketing and financial side of the business. These new insights about margins and sales helped me focus on my best designs and expand on desirable styles. I have always worn multiple hats, and I think the key to my success in business growth, would be not wearing the same hat for too long. I am always needed in new ways and take my problem-solving creativity into everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.younginthemountains.com
- Instagram: @younginthemountains
- Facebook: younginthemountains.com
Image Credits
Emerald Boes Photography, Danielle Puschak Photography, Kim Branagan Photography