We recently connected with Paige Barbee and have shared our conversation below.

Paige, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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.

In 2018, I took the most significant risk of my professional life by opening my retail store in Nashville. My husband and I had recently moved to the city for his new job, and I had quit mine. We settled into an apartment that was cozy but certainly not ideal for my jewelry making, which, as you can imagine, isn’t the quietest of crafts. I had dreams of finally running my jewelry business full-time, so I embarked on a search for the perfect studio.

I toured all sorts of spaces—some were too far of a drive, others outrageously priced, and one was the creepiest of them all: a storage cage in what used to be a boxing gym, more fitting for a thriller movie scene than a jewelry studio. Just when I thought there wasn’t anything out there for me, I reached out to a building that, to my surprise, not only had a studio but also a retail space available.

Owning a store had always been a dream of mine, though I had imagined it far off in the future, particularly after feeling somewhat jaded by recent years working in mall retail.

I thought about the foot traffic, the potential to connect with customers personally, and the opportunity to share my passion for jewelry more broadly. The idea of daily interactions in my very own shop, turned from daunting to exciting. It felt right, so I took the plunge!

Now, six years later, I can wholeheartedly say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve learned so much and met so many wonderful people who’ve walked through the door—some of whom have become dear friends. Each piece of jewelry I sell is a connection made, a story shared. This journey has truly exceeded all my expectations and has been a constant source of joy and fulfillment.

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

I’m Paige Barbee of Paige Barbee Jewelry, a jewelry designer and small business owner based in Nashville, Tennessee.

My love for making jewelry likely started back in elementary school when I learned to make friendship bracelets, and later, as I admired the sparkly treasures in my mom’s jewelry box.

I attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I studied jewelry making. I loved how jewelry making combined my passions for design, fashion, and sculpture. I originally planned to become an Art Jeweler, creating larger-than-life jewelry pieces for museums and collectors. However, when I graduated in 2009 during the recession, opportunities were scarce, leading me to an artist residency in Knoxville, Tennessee. There, I continued to explore art jewelry, creating pieces inspired by women and their traditional roles in the home. After my residency ended, the necessities of life had me juggling jewelry creation with various odd jobs, ranging from catering to software testing. Despite these challenges, my dream of making jewelry making my full-time career never waned.

Over the years, my style began to evolve. I started creating jewelry that I wanted to wear myself. The pieces that resonated with me were those that had been gifts from special people in my life or that reminded me of special occasions, like the ring I got while studying abroad in France or the earrings from my honeymoon. I also cherished the jewelry that my grandfather made for our family in his dental prosthetics lab, using some of the same tools I use today. Interestingly, many of the tools used in making dentures are the same as those used in jewelry making.

I realized that what had drawn me to art jewelry was the stories it could tell, not necessarily the extravagant style I was initially creating.

I continue to weave these stories into my pieces while leaving space for the wearer to add their own; their special memories that make their jewelry unique to them. I take pride in the thought and detail that goes into each piece of jewelry that I make.

Being an artist and a maker means not everyone will always understand what you create—and that’s okay. But it makes it extra special when people connect with your work, seeing reflections of their own life and loved ones. I’ve even had customers share emotional reactions, often moved to tears by the personal resonance of a piece.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Looking back, I realize how much I underestimated the power of asking for help. Being fiercely independent, I believed I needed to figure everything out on my own—whether managing daily tasks at my store or mastering a new technique. I worried that asking for help might bother people or expose my vulnerabilities, and it took far too long for me to change that mindset.

A real turning point came when my son was unexpectedly born early and I experienced health complications. I suddenly found myself in need of someone to help run my business during my absence. This opened my eyes to the value of seeking advice and assistance. Whether it involved hiring someone to ease the workload or simply asking a fellow small business owner how they tackled similar challenges, each step toward asking for help propelled the growth of both myself and my business. My business truly began to expand when I embraced the generosity of the community around me.

Now, I can’t imagine a day without relying on someone else’s expertise or offering my own in return. This collaborative approach has not only enriched my business but has also made my work more enjoyable and fulfilling.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is when people genuinely connect with your work. Owning a retail store, I am inundated daily with people’s opinions about my jewelry—some kind, some not so kind, and some neutral. However, when someone truly connects with a piece of jewelry and shares why it means so much to them, it is the best feeling. This deep connection not only validates the creativity and effort that goes into each piece but also reaffirms why I am on this path.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paigebarbee.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paigebarbeejewelry/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paigebarbeejewelry
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@paigebarbee

Image Credits

Marigold Photography
Lindsay Photography