Meet Lisa Avery | Cowgirl & Jewelry Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Avery and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have been self-employed for many years, as my first venture was breeding American Quarter Horses. My husband and I have bred, raised and trained American Quarter Horses since 1992. I honestly never thought I would be a jewelry designer. One day we were having lunch with friends in Gunnison, Co., and when we came out of the restaurant, I spotted a sign advertising, “Turquoise beads 30% OFF.” I went in and bought a few strands of turquoise, and the materials and tools to string the beads with and came home and made necklaces for all of my friends. I started selling jewelry in a local restaurant, and then I made jewelry as a creative outlet while caring for my father-in-law. It started out small, and I kept buying more beads and sterling with my earnings, and before I knew it, my creative outlet had grown into a business. I started setting up a tent with my jewelry at craft shows, and farmer’s markets, and a few private parties. Then my goal became offering quality gems and sterling at affordable prices.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
There are many outside sources which help feed artistic creativity for each of us. For me, my inspiration comes from nature. We are very blessed to live in the Wet Mountain Valley in Westcliffe, Colorado. The ever-changing scenery from my window, deep love for nature, and horses, and gardening, help inspire me to create with stones, and metals. I am a country girl, who really loves the sunshine, and nature, and animals. When I make jewelry, it’s often inspired by a combination of many different sources, and it’s always made with love and from my heart. Sometimes I get on a roll creating jewelry pieces, and it makes my heart happy when each piece finds its person, and in turn, I can see the spark of sunshine in their eyes and smiles when they wear their jewelry made by me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A favorite day trip for me would be to Taos, New Mexico. We often go there for lunch, at Orlando’s. Orlando’s is a quaint little place outside of town. The outdoor patio is lined with a cedar picket fence, that has flowers in coffee cans hanging from it. There are many cozy tables outside, with brightly colored umbrellas over them. The food is always delicious, and the waitresses are always friendly and professional. We can visit the Taos Pueblo and learn some of the tremendous history there. From there we can go west to Durango, and stay at an old hotel, maybe the General Palmer, or the Strater. At the Strater hotel, we can relax in the bar, with food and drinks, and listen to music while watching people walk along main street. We can walk down main street and shop some, or we can visit the nearby cliff dwellings. We can ride the train from Durango to Silverton and have lunch at the Handlebar Cafe in Silverton. Silverton is beautiful and welcoming. One of my favorite places to stay in Silverton is the Alma house. From Silverton we can take the Million-dollar highway to Ouray. Ouray is another charming town situated in a beautiful mountain setting. From Ouray, we can go to Gunnison, and we can spend the day walking through the Pioneer Museum in Gunnison. From Gunnison we can drive over Monarch Pass to Salida. In Salida we can shop on the historic main street, and enjoy good food, and we can even walk along the Arkansas river at the end of town. We can eat at the Boat House and watch people in kayaks on the river. From Salida, we can drive east along the river to Texas Creek, and then south, home again, in our beautiful mountain valley of Westcliffe, where we can hike the Rainbow Trail.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When thinking back, about the support I’ve received in my jewelry business journey, I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of my loving husband, Allen, who has always encouraged me to learn and grow, and to be happy in what I do. My family and friends, and my customers have also encouraged me to continue growing and creating and challenged me with special orders of all kinds. While taking care of my father-in-law, we were actually living with him in Texas. While in Texas, I became great friends with the bead store owner, Ann Pearce. Ann shared so much with me and started teaching me silversmithing. Ann is open hearted to help everyone she meets, and she is a tremendous artist who I admire very much. My dear friends, who are also my adopted family in Texas, Dr. Buff Hildreth and her partner, Debbi East, also opened their home and hearts, inviting their equine veterinary clientele to shop for jewelry, while relaxing and visiting away from the vet clinic. These women helped me build my business, and some are still customers, all who have become lifelong friends.

Website: Cowgirlrocksco.com

Facebook: Cowgirl Rocks by Lisa Avery

Other: My website is still under construction, and I hope to have it up and running soon.