We recently connected with Sarah Wall and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
Naming things I’ve created has always been a real challenge for me. Back in college, I struggled so much with naming my fish that it ended up staying nameless. I’d often get caught up in thoughts about permanence or worry if a name sounded odd or silly. But looking back, I actually came up with “boistrus” pretty quickly.
In 2022, during my final semester at SDSU, I enrolled in a class called “Artists and Designers as Entrepreneurs.” It was a dream come true for me because I’ve always wanted to start my own business. The class involved developing a business idea related to our skills over the entire semester. Fortunately, I had recently taken a jewelry class and realized it was my calling.
I wanted to create jewelry that really stood out and allowed the wearer to channel a bold, unique energy. So, finding the right name was crucial. Sadly, there was no Chat GPT to help me out back then, so I had to manually search through tons of words and their synonyms. I’ve always been drawn to uncommon words, and “boisterous” caught my eye. I kept coming back to it, feeling like it was the perfect fit. Eventually, I decided to tweak it a bit, dropping the ‘e’ and ‘o’ to make it shorter, more distinctive, and punchy.
In the end, “boistrus” turned out to be the ideal name for my business. It captures the boldness of my jewelry pieces while still feeling fresh and contemporary.
Sarah, 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?
Hello! I’m Sarah Wall, and boistrus is a handmade jewelry brand that focuses on bold and unique designs, exploring the intricacies of the human experience.
By blending metalsmithing with other creative techniques, I aim to create pieces that resonate on a deeper level. This involves mixing natural materials like freshwater pearls and abalone with manmade materials, forming the metal to complement and juxtapose these elements.
Using non-toxic, lead-free soft metals, glass, and other materials, I strive to ensure every piece is both visually striking and safe to wear.
My journey to founding boistrus has been an evolution of my lifelong passions. From early high school days launching my first Etsy shop to taking an undergraduate metalsmithing class, creativity has always been my driving force. In 2021, my interest in jewelry was reignited during a Jewelry and Metalsmithing class, ultimately leading to the creation of boistrus in 2023.
What I’m most proud of is the opportunity to merge my love for jewelry into something truly unique. With boistrus, I invite you to join me on a journey of self-expression and discovery. Whether you’re drawn to the bold designs, the unique materials, or the stories behind each piece, boistrus offers something for everyone. I’m excited to share my creations with you and see where this journey takes us!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
There have been numerous instances in my life where circumstances demanded resilience. Ultimately, all paths have led to where I am today, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
One of the most significant lessons in resilience came during my high school years. I transitioned from being deeply involved in sports and academics—juggling volleyball, swimming, and AP courses—to a sudden halt when I was diagnosed with P.O.T.S. at the age of 15. This diagnosis led to a period of almost “isolation,” reminiscent of the lockdowns we experienced during the pandemic. I couldn’t even leave the house due to the risk of fainting. Throughout this time, my ongoing battle with depression intensified.
After consulting numerous doctors and finally receiving the right medication and undergoing physical therapy, life started to look up again. However, the journey to reclaiming a sense of normalcy was difficult. Yet, amidst the challenges, I found solace in creating jewelry—a craft I could immerse myself in, especially since I’m allergic to most metals. Jewelry-making became my refuge, providing a sense of control and focus during times of uncertainty.
Fast forward to the pandemic, and the isolation we all experienced mirrored the challenges I faced in high school. Once again, I found myself grappling with depression. Returning to the practice of creating jewelry, reclaiming that sense of control, and sharing my craft with others became a lifeline during those difficult time and even today as I navigate post graduate life and the realities of corporate life.
Have you ever had to pivot?
This story may seem familiar to many, but during my undergraduate years, I embarked on a journey that led me down unexpected paths. Initially, I enrolled as a Biology major with aspirations of becoming a doctor. However, a challenging Chemistry class in my first semester left me feeling disheartened and directionless. Looking back, I realize I may not have been fully prepared for the rigors of college at that time.
As I continued to explore different courses, none seemed to resonate with me deeply. It wasn’t until I decided to take a few art classes—nurturing a passion that had always been within me—that I began to find my footing. Gratefully, the field of art offered a multitude of avenues to explore. I dabbled in interior architecture, tried my hand at photography, and eventually found my niche in graphic design.
If I hadn’t made the pivotal decision to pivot away from a science major, I wouldn’t be where I am today. While I sometimes ponder what my life would have been like had I stuck with Biology, I know that my journey would lack the vibrancy, creativity, and passion that defines it now.
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Image Credits
Photos by Kait McCarthy @kaitvisuals