Our Story: Building a Jewelry Brand with Passion and Purpose

Some businesses start with a plan. Ours started with a passion - a passion for design, for craftsmanship, and for creating something meaningful. We, Kim Houghton and Chris Collier, founded our jewelry brand in our early twenties with a dream to build a business that reflected who we were: creators, adventurers, and entrepreneurs who wanted more than the traditional 9 to 5.

Turning a Childhood Passion into a Business

From the time I was a little girl, I was fascinated by jewelry. Designing and creating pieces by hand was something I loved, and that passion only grew stronger over the years. Chris, on the other hand, has always been a natural entrepreneur, drawn to the challenge of building something from the ground up. After finishing university, we knew we wanted to take a different path - one that allowed us to forge our own future rather than follow a conventional career path.

Starting from Scratch: The Basement Beginnings

Like many young entrepreneurs, we started from scratch - literally. We built our business in our parents' basement, maxing out our credit cards to purchase materials, tools, and display components. From day one, we made a conscious decision to use only high-quality materials: sterling silver, natural gemstones, and freshwater pearls. I was fortunate to have a family friend, an experienced jeweler, mentor me in craftsmanship. Chris took charge of the business side, helping turn our creative vision into a reality. We even handmade our own displays to create a cohesive, timeless, and neutral aesthetic that reflected our brand values—natural beauty, simplicity, and quality.

Our First Trade Show & The Challenges of Starting Out

Once we had our first collection, Chris signed us up for our first trade show. It was a huge leap, pushing us to build a completely custom display to showcase our work. Then came a classic challenge - unpredictable weather. A major snowstorm hit the night before the event, leading to a lower turnout than expected. But despite the odds, we still signed our first wholesale accounts and sold our first pieces, and that moment of validation made all the hard work worth it.

Growing Beyond Markets: From Pop-Ups to an Established Brand

From that first trade show, we expanded into artisan markets, pop-ups, and wholesaling to retail stores. Each event was a learning experience, helping us refine our collection, connect with customers, and understand what people truly wanted in their jewelry - timeless, high-quality pieces designed for everyday wear. Over the years, we opened a store in a mall, participated in 10 years of Christmas shows, and built an online presence that allowed us to reach jewelry lovers beyond Canada. Our handcrafted designs are now sought after for their natural elegance, durability, and the stories they tell.

Jewelry That Tells a Story

Every piece we create is inspired by our journey - our travels, the people we've met along the way, and the adventures that shaped us. Our jewelry is designed to be meaningful and versatile, made for everyone and anyone who appreciates quality craftsmanship and timeless style. Each piece reflects a connection to nature, adventure, and the beauty of simple, well-made design.

Sustainability & Ethical Craftsmanship

Beyond aesthetics and quality, we are committed to sustainability. Every piece is handcrafted in small batches in Vancouver, Canada, using eco-conscious materials and ethical production practices. We strive to minimize waste and create jewelry that stands the test of time - both in style and durability.

Celebrating 10 Years in Business

Hitting the 10-year milestone has been an incredible journey, and we are beyond grateful for every customer, supporter, and friend we’ve met along the way. Your support has helped us grow from a small basement startup to a recognized brand that continues to evolve and expand. We can’t wait to see what the future holds, and we thank you for being part of our story.

Kim Houghton & Chris Collier