When I imagined opening my studio at Haven, I thought the hard part would be the transition to a new space. Buying replacements for items my previous studio included, figuring out a new display for the chains, determining which of my systems needed to change. The hundred small decisions that go into turning an idea into a place people can actually walk into. But that wasn't the hardest part. The hardest part has been trusting it enough to leave room for it. The Hardest Lesson

There's a version of planning an adult party that convinces you the whole thing hinges on the details. The napkins have to match. The centerpiece needs a Pinterest board. The playlist needs to transition seamlessly from cocktail hour to dance floor, as if anyone born after 1995 is tracking that. Here's the thing though. Think back to the last party you actually loved. Not one you attended out of obligation. One you still bring up months later. I'd bet real money you don't rem

Starting a business later in life wasn't part of my original plan. A year ago, this studio didn't even exist. Not the collaborations. Not the party inquiries. Not the version of my life where I spend Sunday afternoons clasping bracelets on strangers who leave as something closer to friends. None of it was real yet. What existed was a vision, a stack of spreadsheets, and a lot of ideas I hadn't said out loud to enough people. Now people walk into Haven and the first thing out

When I add permanent jewelry to All That Glitters, I thought I was expanding my side hustle with a new product that people would be interested in buying. I was wrong. Not about the jewelry part. About the business part. Here's what I've actually figured out over the last year: people aren't really buying jewelry. They're celebrating birthdays. Marking milestones. Connecting with friends. Creating memories. Trying something new. Taking a break from the logistics of everyday li

Why Piercing Felt Like the Right Next Step At one of my very first permanent jewelry appointments in December 2024, a client asked if I was going to be doing piercing. Although I didn't plan on it at that moment, it was something I had thought about. I'm a huge fan of piercings myself, and have 11 in my lobes/ear cartilage. As 2025 progressed, more clients asked about piercing, and I started exploring how to add it in a way that aligned with the All That Glitters experience—a

The Holiday Hustle Is Real - But So Is Your Glow I don't know about you, but I approach the holiday season with almost equal parts dread and anticipation. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday - the twinkling lights, the music, the food (love me a cookie exchange!), and the chance to reconnect with family and friends. But it can also be chaotic, between shopping, cooking, and attending events, sleep quickly becomes a rare commodity and my to-do list rivals my Target r