I have a special treat for you today and her name is Lily Dawson. I first saw her work after a visit to Skyline Downtown Salon and I immediately fell in love. Her pieces have a certain allure to them and I wouldn’t mind adding more of them to my jewelry box. After meeting Lily in person at the 8183 Pop-up and picking up my very own pair of fly stud earrings, I was even more excited to feature her designs with you all.
When did you decide that you wanted to start handcrafting your own jewelry?
I started making bracelets during the “arm party” craze in 2008. I came from a fashion background and after moving back to the Midwest from L.A, was unable to find much in the way of the trend back home. I started making jewelry for friends and local shops after quitting fashion school out west five years ago and did not intend for the hobby to grow into anything more than that. Only recently have I actually accepted the idea of pursuing this avenue as a career.
What did it take to get Lily Dawson Designs up and running?
It started and has grown quite organically. I went to local craft stores to buy my supplies first and later, as larger orders started coming in from boutiques, had to seek out suppliers. With the money made from bracelets sold I’d buy more supplies and so on.
What’s the greatest part about working for yourself?
The flexibility. I am able to take breaks whenever I need to, I love being able to take extended weekends and having the freedom to work until midnight if need be.
I’m obsessed with organization. How do you do it?
Because I work with such small pieces I must keep my space visually clear. I always start out my workday by clearing my work space of yesterday’s projects and putting everything back in it’s designated place. The visual cleanliness allows my mind to feel less cluttered when it comes to prioritizing my work and designing new products.
What does your daily routine look like?
I wake up early with my husband and make him breakfast and lunch every morning. Then I do 60-90 minutes of yoga or target training, followed by a hot minty green tea and raspberry/flaxseed/almond butter smoothie. I start work soon after cleaning up and dressing (I make sure to not work in my PJs or workout clothes, though it’s tempting since I work from home). I spend the morning answering emails and mapping out my day based on what’s due that week. Lunch is a cucumber/pear/celery/kale juice and then I focus on production. Making products to fill online orders, upcoming wholesale shipments and trunk shows fills my afternoon and evenings. A run to the post office to drop shipments is a couple-times-a-week occurrence. I will break for an afternoon smoothie and a late dinner with my husband when he gets home from work, but most days will push my work day until bedtime, about 10:30 or 11pm.
What do you find to be at the top of your list when it comes to importance?
The importance of focus. Being your own boss and viewing yourself as an artist can sometimes feel counter-intuitive. I have learned how easy it can be to get off-track and what I need to do in order to continue to allow my business to grow, prosper and continue to produce product that I am proud of.
Do you have any advice for young entrepreneurs looking to get out on their own?
Give it time. I sometimes look at really successful jewelry designers who are doing amazing things in their second year in the biz. I then look at my own story and am so grateful that I allowed myself to continue giving this business a chance because in my 5th year, I am now creating pieces that I didn’t even think were possible for me back in year two or three.
How would you describe your personal style? Does that influence your designs?
I am quite minimal when it comes to my personal style. Lots of jeans and blouses. Always pearl stud earrings and only jewelry when I’m dressing up or for an LDD event. I design for women like myself, but hope that my pieces appeal to a broader audience as well. I always try to incorporate tribal elements, flashy/blingy pieces and industrial touches in my collections which can work with a more subdued dresser or an ornate outfit.
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| Photo by Caroline Dixey |
Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry that you tend to gravitate toward?
Currently I’m always reaching for the Baguette Y-Necklace and a stack of 3-4 chunky cuffs.
What do you envision coming next for Lily Dawson Designs?
Oh gosh, there are lots of plans. I’d love to ramp up my wholesale business and focus on that side of things since it’s been a neglected part of my work until now.
Want more? You can shop Lily Dawson Designs here and follow along on with her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!
What is your favorite piece in her shop? I’m gravitating toward this bracelet and necklace!
I love this!!! I just open an etsy store so I love learning what others are doing and how I can be better. Thanks for sharing this! I also love that you showcase the Midwest because that’s where I am from and ppl are always thinking it boring and not fashion forward at all.
I will go broke buying her jewelry one day!
http://www.theadoredlife.com
Love her jewelry! This is a great interview, and I loved learning more about her process and tips. Her stuff is beautiful!
This is so cool! I used to love making jewelry when I was younger (nothing high-quality, of course)
Great interview! Loving her advice for young entrepreneurs! her pieces are gorgeous as well, I love how edgy they are!
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
So fun! The pieces look amazing! Thanks for sharing.
I am SO GLAD you posted this – I saw Lily’s fantastic jewelry at some craft fair in Chicago last summer and lost the business card I picked up and couldn’t remember her name. This was the perfect reminder!!! I live for those earrings.
Such a great interview!!! Her jewelry is gorgeous and I love her advice about giving things time to grow. Can’t wait to get a few more of her pieces.
XO Jana
http://www.janastyleblog.com
Love the Jewelery and your lifestyle sounds so nice!
Great feature, Jess! Thanks for sharing- I love Lily’s stuff! Her chunky chain necklaces look super sick. 🙂
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
This is awesome, what an awesome and talented women!! I love her jewelry!!
Obsessed! Great photos, Jess!
Definitely not boring at all! There are so many great designers and young entrepreneurs – super inspiring! Congrats on your shop open 🙂
You and me both, sista!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Kari! I want ALL of it, but my pocketbook says otherwise 😉
Haha that’s great. I made all sorts of things growing up, but never jewelry!
Thanks so much, Shannon! It’s super inspiring to see what she’s accomplished. I agree, they are great!
Of course! I love putting together features like this and I’m happy you liked it 🙂
That’s crazy! What are the odds? Glad I could serve as a reminder 🙂 I want EVERYTHING in her shop.
Thank you, Jana! I can’t wait either. I’ve been dropping hints to everyone lately haha.
Thanks, Bree! I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Thank ya, Ashley! Sooo sick. I love their chunkiness.
What pretty pieces! I loved reading this interview! I love her advice on entrepreneurs to “give it time”…it’s refreshing to hear!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Alyssa!
LOVE the look of her line – Thanks for sharing! (And how fun that I used to go to Skyline Salon, too!) 😉 XO
Yay for Skyline! My sister works there and she loves it. It makes for a relaxing getaway in the city 🙂
Playing some belated blog catch-up, but I love this! I think I would get lost in how to put things together to make them beautiful, but her designs are gorgeous. And I love the simplicity of her packaging too!