We were lucky to catch up with Susan Hamilton Meier recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Susan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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.

I’ve been making art all my life, and I’ve been making fine jewelry for 20 years, but launching my creative work as a business, as a brand, which I did a little over a year ago, felt like a huge risk. First, the obvious, it’s always a financial risk to start a new business. The scariness of investing time and money in a new venture, and the risk of failure, is something all entrepreneurs face. But when it’s a creative business, there’s the additional risk of wearing your heart on your sleeve. You’re putting your most intimate creative ideas out on display, to be reviewed and judged. It’s a very emotional thing. The process is very much like falling in love.

And much like love, the risk is always worth it. I’m happy to report that the business is growing and the creative feedback has been positive. But even if that hadn’t yet been the case, the lesson I’ve learned is that the joy of putting your work out there, the feeling of freedom that comes with expressing your personal vision, far outweighs any fears of rejection you may have.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m the founder SUNLIT, a line of fine jewelry inspired by the sun, and I’ve been creating handmade fine jewelry in New York City for over 20 years.

As a kid, I was fascinated by the golden treasures of ancient Egypt, and I went on to study art history at Dartmouth College, where I wrote my thesis on medieval Italian altarpieces. My first real job was at Sotheby’s in their jewelry department. I was inspired by seeing the most extraordinary jewels in the world up close, and also realized I wanted to make beautiful things with my own hands.. I did a mini-MFA in painting and sculpture at the School of Visual Arts, then studied granulation at Jewelry Arts and ultimately discovered wax carving at the Fred de Vos workshop, where I have worked since.

From my art history background, I bring an interest in the iconography and adornment of ancient cultures, and you’ll see references to Mayan, Roman, and Egyptian sun symbols drawn into my designs. In terms of the craft, my passion is inventing new textures, which I carve into the wax and enhance in the metal. Most importantly, I want wearing my jewelry to feel like the radiance of sunlight, like you’re wearing your inner light on the outside.

I sculpt and texture and LOVE each piece of jewelry I make. I do it all by hand in NYC, alongside my jewel-loving pitbull, Tiger. He was wearing a necklace when he was rescued, and he really enjoys a chunky Cuban chain. He’s widely loved in the jewelry district, where he accompanies me most days.

This is really handmade work, small batch production, and no two jewels are exactly alike. I find that exciting, because it’s not “production,” it’s art. And I get to share that energy of artistic creation with the person who ultimately wears the piece. It’s an intimate connection.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My personal mission or purpose is to add a little beauty to this world. I am also very passionate about self-expression, and that’s why jewelry is my favorite artistic medium. Your choice of jewelry expresses who you are. And I want wearing my jewelry to feel like you’re wearing your inner light on the outside, like you’re truly free yourself and your creativity.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

A book called “Writings” by Agnes Martin. She was a painter, not a writer, and yet that book is everything. Read it. I mean, just read it. It holds the golden keys to the universe.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sunlitfinejewelry.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunlitfinejewelry/

Image Credits

Stephanie Price