Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Danae Sweeton of Chattanooga- Quartzsite

We recently had the chance to connect with Danae Sweeton and have shared our conversation below.

Danae, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Exploring the desert! There’s something about the raw, open silence of the landscape that invites me to drop all my distractions and return to myself. Time stretches out differently among the sun-bleached stones and forgotten trails. Whether I’m following a wash, stumbling across an old mine, or just watching the way light dances across the dust, I lose track of the hours and find clarity, creativity, and a deeper sense of who I am.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Danae — desert lover, treasure hunter, and soul-led creative behind Jasper in June.

My work lives at the crossroads of wild landscapes, forgotten relics, and spiritual renewal. I source and create one-of-a-kind pieces — from vintage cutlery and mineral finds. Everything I offer is rooted in intention, honoring both the land and the energy it holds.

What makes my brand special is its spirit — it’s not just about things, it’s about connection. I weave together history, healing, and high-desert mysticism to help people feel grounded, curious, and a little more awake to the magic around them.

My story continues to renew and most recently after a series of life-altering spinal injuries, I was cracked open spiritually and creatively. The desert called me back to myself — through the dust, the solitude, and the sparkle of gold in unlikely places. Now, I get to share that path of rediscovery with others, through every piece I dig up, design, or intuitively craft. And YES, I am finding gold out here!

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My grandmother. She saw the fire in me long before I understood it myself. She had this quiet strength — the kind of woman who moved through life with grit, grace, and a deep trust in the unseen. She always told me I was meant for something different, something that couldn’t be boxed in. Even when I felt lost or out of place, she saw through the noise and reminded me of my worth. She’s passed now, but her wisdom still walks with me — especially out in the desert. I feel her in the wind, in the quiet, in the moments I remember who I am.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Every single day?!?!?!? LOL but, honestly, being a small business owner is no joke! There are moments that test you: the late nights, the self-doubt, the endless to-do lists. But even on the hardest days, my passion keeps pulling me forward. I’m building something that means something — not just for me, but for the people who connect with what I create. That purpose keeps the fire lit, even when the burnout tries to creep in.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of people are placing too much value in society — in systems, screens, hustle, and external validation — and not enough time reconnecting with nature! The smartest thing we can do is step outside, slow down, and listen to the land. There’s ancient wisdom in the rocks, the wind, the silence. That’s where the real clarity comes from — not endless scrolls or striving, but stillness. You can’t think your way into peace… sometimes you have to go touch the earth to remember who you are!

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Absolutely. I had the 9-to-5, the white picket fence, the health insurance and the steady paycheck — all the things I was taught to want as a child. But the truth? That life didn’t satisfy my soul. I felt boxed in, bitter, and disconnected from who I really was. It looked “right” on the outside, but inside, I was shrinking. So I broke free. I chose uncertainty, creativity, and wild self-trust over comfort. And even though it’s harder in many ways, it’s real — and that makes all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/jasperinjune
• Instagram: @jasperinjune @digsforgems