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

Hi Matthew, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Habits are a frequent discussion in our household – how to cement them so we move our life in the direction we’re planning for. As small business owners, Lauren and I rely on our habits to propel us toward our goals, both big and small. Working in the jewelry industry, education is invaluable. Perhaps one of the best habits we have is seeking out education and opportunities to learn from masters in a particular field. Each year, Lauren and I go to a class or workshop to further develop and hone the skills we want to work on. We believe strongly in investing in ourselves – it keeps you passionate, excited, and at the top of your game. Some of our other habits include drawing daily, posting to social media regularly, logging labor and materials for each piece, scheduling in weekly time to create that isn’t for a paid job, and taking 15 minutes at the end of each day to clean up our studio to start fresh the following morning. Each of these habits helps us grow and expand as artists and business owners. At home, some of our routines that keep us happy and healthy aren’t the most ground breaking, but they are essential. We do yoga 4+ nights per week, functional fitness (Crossfit style workouts), and always stop to eat meals with our 1-year old son. At the end of the day, success is the result of daily habits and will get you where you want to go even when motivation wanes.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Tuggle Designs was born of our mutual passion for one-of-a-kind, handcrafted jewelry. Our jewelry is a modern take on traditional design, where color and contrast guide the direction of each piece. Inspired by patterns and architecture, we place an emphasis on contrast and negative space. Using traditional techniques, we aim to demonstrate the highest-quality craftsmanship in our bold, yet wearable designs, which are meant to stand the test of time. We believe that more beauty and artistry goes into a piece when it is made by hand, and do not rely on computer-aided-design (CAD) in our process. This makes every piece of jewelry special, intentional, and truly distinctive. We love working with our clients to draw out the stories and inspiration behind their custom piece and put that intention and love into it during the creation process. We believe that finishes are just as important as the design, incorporating hand engraving, textures, and high polished areas to produce dynamic, compelling works of art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Up and at ’em! It’s February in Colorado, so we’ll head out around 6:30am to Winter Park for a day on the slopes. Afterwards we’ll hit Kokopelli’s for a beer and some pizza. Another day we’ll start with brunch at First Watch before heading to the Denver Art Museum, and finish with dinner at Saigon Basil. You can’t come to Colorado and not go on a hike, so we’d head up to Sanitas in Boulder for an early burner before hitting Boxcar Coffee for our morning cup of joe. We’d stroll the Pearl Street Mall and check out Phil Lewis’ Art Studio and Gallery before lunch at Mateo for their signature burger.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a ton of people that come to mind, but one company in particular has played a major role in getting me to this point – GRS in Emporia, KS. GRS is more than a company, they are an American tool manufacturer, school, and a family! They not only make top quality engraving equipment that will last a lifetime, but they bring in world renowned instructors for classes every year. I wouldn’t be the artist I am today without the instruction and connections I have made through GRS!

Website: www.tuggledesigns.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuggledesigns

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tuggledesigns

Image Credits
Photo of Matt & Lauren by Jen Lobo Photography All others by Lauren Tuggle

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