Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Leff.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m not sure if it’s my maiden name… Goldschmitt, aka gold-smith? Or whether it’s as simple as jewelry is pretty and I want to make it. Whatever the case may be, jewelry is who I am. It’s not a “job,” it’s part of me. My jewelry love affair started in 2001. I was going through the process of making a lot of changes… new friends, new job; I had a new lease on life. I wrote, “Throwing Stars,” a poem about taking chances and making big changes and pressed the “do-over” button.
I started with beading to keep my mind busy after my day job finished. My first selling experience was at a weekend Farmers Market outside of Vail. There were enough interest, excitement, and encouragement for me to pursue this full time. Thank goodness for my ego and being somewhat naive. It was the perfect storm for me to forge forward and establish Throwing Stars Jewelry. Seventeen years later my Studio is very busy, my website is rockin’ and I’m in roughly 40 boutiques across the country.
Through the years my jewelry has developed a core aesthetic. My designs are perfectly imperfect as they are handcrafted. They have a dainty yet edgy vibe. I favor contrasts, so you will see a lot of mixed metals, hammering, twisting, and options for layering. There is always something new!
Has it been a smooth road?
I probably have many of the same struggles as any other self-employed mother of two who works from home. Time! Where does the time go? My jewelry is all handmade and it’s very personal to me. I design it and make it and if something needs a little more time then so be it. Of course, that means something else gets less time and the “domino effect” is real!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Throwing Stars Jewelry – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I like to think of Throwing Stars Jewelry as a “fun” company where no two days are exactly the same. I personally make all the jewelry and I describe the look as “dainty but with an edge”.
My designs can be found in approximately 40 boutiques across the country. I love doing Trunk Shows at stores where I take a bunch of inventory and I get to talk to customers about the designs. They get to “meet the artist” and I need that personal connection. It makes me so happy to see people wearing my jewelry and the joy they get out of it.
In any given month I can also be found at one or two local Festivals and high-end Craft Shows. I am placing more emphasis on my Custom appointments now. My creative juices flow when someone comes in with heirloom jewelry to be re-set or updated. The flip side of that is when a client comes in with just an idea and getting to collaborate with them from start to finish. Both are a creative challenge for me and I love it!
Throwing Stars has been in business for over 17 years so that right there is a sign that I must be doing something right! Many of my store owners tell me how much they appreciate that my jewelry is all hand-made and not mass produced. I touch every piece that leaves my Studio.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I’m a California girl so the traffic isn’t a shock to me. Living in Atlanta, I truly feel like I have access to everything. I feel like there’s a great artist community here and we support each other. And the Southern charm is real!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.throwingstarsjewelry.com
- Phone: 404-796-5885
- Email: amy@throwingstarsjewelry.com
- Instagram: ThrowingStarsJewelry
- Facebook: ThrowingStarsJewelry
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
