Meet Heather Goldman | Designer of Jewelry for you and your hat

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

Hi Heather, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

Simply put, I was raised by “Follow your Dreams” parents who, in their different ways, taught me that I could do anything I put my mind to.

a little bit of a longer story with additional color with a collegiate focus in Anthropology and photography, extensive international travel experiences, a profound love of mother nature, and a desire to level the playing fields of the world, I found myself post-graduation taking high school students out on hiking and cultural trips in the 4-corners area and the southeast. With “take only photos, leave only foot-prints as our motto, we worked to instill a confidence in the kids and a love and deep respect of the land. Shortly after this formative and seasonal experience, I found myself looking for a job that would allow me to touch all of these worlds.. somehow. someway. While looking through the classifieds in a post-virtual world reality, my father asked me why I would ever want to work for anyone else. This was not a rhetorical question and I had no answer. I was hired by the local park district North of Chicago to teach 3-4-year-olds about the lifecycle of insects and animals through interactive walks as I hatched my plan.

Always encouraged by my artist and art Therapist mother, creative expression as a way of understanding and working through emotions came naturally to me. After considering ceramics, glass, and seed beading, I landed on jewelry making. I was not much of a jewelry wearer at the time, yet it seemed that I could combine all of the things that were important to me with this type of business. I invested $20 in some wires, and pliers and began making wire-wrapped earrings. I somehow sensed that it would be this medium through which I would learn and grow and discover what it meant to give something 100%. I loved the process of combining different textures, colors, and materials to create wearable pieces of art. With a noticeably low level of fear and thought, I felt the few sales that I had received were validation enough to start my business I called Sol Creations, which would over the years turn into the Heather Benjamin Jewelry brand

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

The powerful Samba rhythm of Carnival in Brazil… galloping through the canyons of a Navajo’ reservation….the song of cicadas suspended above ancient Mayan Temples in Tikal… wild elephants grazing at dawn in the Kenyan Savannah… the rhythmic percussion of Gamelan music as the sun disappears into the Indian ocean… the Hindu story of Rama and Sita articulated through traditional Balinese dance. In one way or another, I have always sought to share experiences far from the beaten path. My designs inspired by the rituals, symbols and narratives observed during my global travels – cultural diversity; rustic elegance; anthropology & photography – are the principles and passions that guide guide my worldview and creative process at the deepest levels.

Over the past 23 years, I built my business on honoring mother nature and worldly design by showcasing the beauty that surrounds us in more of a traditional jewelry form… necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings. My clients consisted of many of the majors, better cloting boutiques and jewelry stores around the world, including well-known luxury retailers including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Fred Segal, Kemo Sabe, ABC Carpet and Home, Kuhl-Linscomb and Fortnum & Mason. Notably, worn by celebrities like Oprah, Blake Lively, Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman and Serena Williams to name a few, for magazine cover shoots and special events.

Many of my designs begin as hand-carved miniature life-like sculptures featuring members of the animal kingdom. I work closely with my Bali team to ensure that each piece is soulfully made, artisinal quality and has personality. Often starting with a sketch or image,

Evolution-Hat Jewelry

With spending so much time in Colorado, I had always been enchanted with western culture. On a cross country road-trip nearly four years ago, I did a pop-up with a client I was courting for my “regular jewelry.” In addition to jewelry, They sold hats and adorned hats. My love of hats expanded as I felt the exhilaration of wearing a well made hat. At that time, silks, stones and some vintage pins were the name of the game. I realize that beyond a more traditional Native American and western approach. I felt in my soul that I had something new to contribute. Dive deep and fast, I said to myself, and I did just that. My first Hat Jewelry collection consisted of 50 styles, I launched it in Round Top, Texas in my showroom at a venue called The Halles. I received consistent and constant positive feedback . Without exception, each person who purchased and many who stopped by would express that they had never seen anything like this before. That sort of feedback was exhilarating and confirmed my direction and intuition.

4 years into it, I am more exhilarated and enthusiastic for my business and creations than ever. With a focus on the Western world, It is my honor to guide my clients, through the process of telling their stories on their hats. My focus and enthusiasm come from witnessing the truly transformative experience that happens during these elevated hat adornment experiences. It is my honor to experience the laughter and tears often accompanied with the process.

This sort of expression has me know that the power of honoring our stories through hat-adornment is an important and a meaningful form of expression. The process of developing my brand in this niche category has taken on new life.

I love that every story told is unique and a true collaboration and an extension of what is truly special in one’s life. A soulful and elevated approach to hat adornment. I continue to be enchanted with all of my members of the Animal Kingdom of birds of prey and celestial starburst themes. Yet feel there is additional powerful as my one of a kind hat slides find there forever homes.

The traditional artisanship of Bali is central to my aesthetic. Bali –where much of my collection is conceived & crafted has also been my second home and creative universe. It is through a deep collaboration with my team of artisans that my vision becomes a reality.

Materials-MINERAL & METALDistinct orbital patterns of Jasper from coastal Madagascar… naturally shed deer antler…meandering topographic-patterned, sliced-banded agates borne from Volcanic rock… jasper, shell, chalcedony, fossil, and agate are the sustainable and ethically sourced pigments that I call upon to paint each unique story, each collection. Each tale is framed in recycled silver or gold.

ETHOSIt is out of my deep love, appreciation, and reverence for our natural world that I choose ethically sourced materials like recycled sterling silver, naturally shed deer antler, and cruelty free bone. The heart of my creations is engagement with the natural world – connecting us to beauty at its purest level. My wish is that the relationship with nature, via sustainable minerals and metal, will promote the awareness and compassion so deeply needed for our planet and its beings.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am a full-time traveler and spend a large portion of my time in Colorado… I love this general flow of life. Morning yoga on my own or while in Telluride at Practice or Mangala, coffee at Coffee Cowboy and breakfast at Butcher and Baker, The Peaks Buffet, Flora Dora Saloon, hikes at Bridle Veil Falls, Blue Lake, Bear Creek Falls, mixed with bike rides with picnic lunches and dinners of Thai Food, The Sheridan, South Oak, Wood Ear and mixed with music in the park and drinks at Cosmo.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I believe in the “it takes a village” philosophy whether it is a child or a business… I have learned from so many along the way, too many to name. I have been very fortunate to be a recipient of many beautiful people’s generosity. This has taken the form of friends, business associates, clients, seat-mates on a plane, all who shared stories that made an impression. An off-the-cuff anecdote of a fellow traveler. In addition to my “follow your dreams” parents who provided a loving and dynamic childhood for me. They also nurtured a deep creativity and confidence that has been the foundation for me to be able to do what I do…. keys to the kingdom in many ways…. I would also like to acknowledge my mentor and dear friend Jim. Through love, tough and tender, he continues to hold me accountable for what I say, challenges my pie-in-the-sky ideas, and has taught me the value of knowing my numbers, understanding trends, and using them to make my vision a reality.

Website: https://heatherbenjaminjewelry.com

Instagram: heatherbenjaminjewelry

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherbenjaminla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatherbenjaminjewelry

Image Credits
photographer- saskia@saskiakoerner.com