In Conversation with WFIM

The longevity of friendship is rich for so many reasons, but one of the best parts is getting to see the pieces of a person that shape where they land. Wether it be miles or minutes away, these are the people who help expand your world. This is true about Lily, our featured WFIM guest this week! I originally met Lily through her Christmas card hanging on my best friend’s fridge—wearing her full cheer outfit and clutching a pinecone, a rare yard ornament in Boca Raton. 'Hannah’s cousin Lily' was, without a doubt, the coolest of cool girls growing up—and she still is!

She’s a ‘yes’ woman by nature, so much so that it’s tattooed on her hand in the same color as the Sebring we’d ride around Minneapolis in with the top down: white. When she launched her own fine jewelry business, I wasn’t surprised. We’re long overdue for a With Friends in Mind feature and I’m delighted that this week it’s Lily!

JB: Lil!! Welcome to With Friends in Mind — it’s been a long time coming. Thanks for being willing to share your corner of the world here. You’ve lived many lives, all of which I’m sure have influenced your decision to really pursue jewelry-making. How, in your twenties, did you decide on your journey into jewelry? Was there a lightbulb moment?

LW: It all started with metal. I was introduced to metal casting in college and fell in love with the process and with molten metal. I was casting aluminum, iron and bronze sculptures in an arts foundry in Minneapolis and knew that this process was also used in jewelry making. After graduation, I went on my own pursuit of knowledge, landing internships with jewelers, taking diamond education classes online and working in fine jewelry stores. But the goal was always to have my own jewelry collection and run my own company.

JB: Equally as difficult – or maybe more so – than deciding to invest in something, is deciding to start your own business. What was that process like for you? Where did you find the inspiration?

LW: Starting my jewelry business was a mix of passion and practicality. I had spent years working in the jewelry industry, where I developed a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and learned what makes a piece both beautiful and wearable. But I always had a desire to create something of my own.

The real inspiration came from my love of well-crafted pieces that when worn, make you feel more authentically yourself. I launched my business from my studio in Nashville, where I now handcraft each piece with care and intention.

The decision to take the leap wasn’t easy. I was balancing other work and responsibilities, but I knew I had to trust that my vision had a place in the world. I started small, focusing on creating pieces that were both artful and comfortable—something you’d never want to take off. Over time, the positive feedback from my clients fueled my confidence and pushed me to keep going. Their excitement reminded me that I was filling a gap, not just in the market, but in people’s lives.

JB: Looking back, what’s a piece of advice that you’d give yourself when starting your business?

LW: The Capricorn in me wants to give financial advice - haha! When you’re first starting your business, there’s this question of how much you pay yourself from your sales, especially if you are making your products by hand. You get in the habit of putting all the money you make back into the business, but it is really important to pay yourself, to honor your hard work, and entrepreneurship is hard work! The piece of advice I’d give myself at the start is to read the book ‘Profit First’ by Mike Michalowicz because it gives a helpful guideline for what to do with your revenue so that you can pay yourself, put money into your business and even save some for future goals and bigger purchases.

 

JB: What was your relationship to jewelry growing up? Is there a stand-out piece that you remember from girlhood?

LW: I got my love and appreciation of jewelry from my mom. My mom has great and eccentric taste and always wore multiple pieces of jewelry at once, never without a gemstone statement ring, fabulous watch, necklace and earrings. There’s that saying to take one thing off before you leave the house… my mom will add another piece for good measure!

A stand-out piece of her’s that I always admired in childhood was this large white gold and diamond heart pendant from the designer Judith Ripka. It was like the rhinestone heart necklace my Barbie wore just all grown up and fabulous! My mom wore it on quite a masculine David Yurman chain but somehow the mix of masculine and feminine worked so well. I think this also gave me a love of white metals, including sterling silver.

JB: You have always been one of my design inspirations. I distinctly remember walking into your first apartment in Minneapolis and feeling so inspired (and so adult). The formica table!! The built-ins!! How would you describe your style as it relates to interiors?

LW: Aw thank you, you’re so sweet to say so! Authenticity is huge for me, in my life and in my aesthetics. At home, I surround myself with things that I love, even if individually the pieces feel disparate, when they come together it feels right and true to me. I’m so disinterested in aesthetic trends for homes and would rather have a space that feels reflective of who I am and how I want my daily life to feel.

JB: Do you see this cross-over into your taste in jewelry?

LW: My interior design style is more eclectic and colorful than my jewelry design style, which is more contemporary and minimalist. The one through line I see in both areas though is an emphasis on comfort and practicality; my thoughtfully sourced mid-century modern couch has to be comfortable to sit on, and the rings I make and wear everyday have to be smooth and easy to wear all day long.

JB: What is one piece of jewelry that you think everybody should own?

LW: If you’re a ring person, you should have at least one power ring - something you put on that makes you feel like you can take over the world, and makes you feel like the person you’ve always wanted to be. See: The Lily Ring collection.

If you’re not a ring person, or have a profession where rings and bracelets are just not practical, I’m all for a great pair of earrings. The right hoop earring can elevate any look, no matter the size. I love my Scallop Hoops for this reason - they’re made to be worn everyday but unlike other simplistic hoop earrings, the scalloped design adds some texture and intrigue to your look.

JB: You’ve always been someone who blends creativity with practicality, so I’m curious — when you’re designing a new piece, do you have a specific feeling you want the wearer to experience, or is it more about the design itself?

LW: Having worked in many jewelry stores and had exposure to an array of designers and pieces, I appreciate when a piece not only looks amazing, but also feels incredible to wear. There’s nothing worse than a piece of jewelry that you love the look of but it has sharp edges, is too heavy to wear for long periods or feels light and flimsy for its cost. To me, jewelry should feel incredibly comfortable to wear, like a second skin, making it easy to wear everyday. When I see people try on my jewelry and feel the smoothness of The Bauble Ring’s fully rounded band, the weight of The Rolo Necklace’s handcrafted nature or the lightness of the Scallop Hoop earring, it’s the best feeling in the world. I always design jewelry with how it will be worn in mind.

JB: Enlighten us all — silver v. gold? Mixed metals? What’s your take!

LW: It is 1000% okay to mix metals. I think it makes your look more interesting when you mix metal colors together, even in one piece like my Dot Ring design. I’m so bummed when I see those videos of women getting their colors done and the practitioner tells them they’re either a gold or silver person… Who wants more rules and limitations in their life? I don’t. Wear what you love, be happy.

JB: Is there a piece that you made that you're especially proud of?

LW: My very first design, The Bauble Ring, is probably what I’m most proud of. It was the piece that first launched my brand. There isn’t anything else out there like it and it’s become a favorite piece for so many of my clients. Using solid, fully rounded wire, the ring has the most luxurious weight to it and feels incredibly smooth to put on.

Last summer, a client commissioned a two-tone Bauble Ring, with the two outside bands crafted in 14k yellow gold and the inside band in sterling silver. It’s truly the most cool-girl ring I’ve ever made!

 

JB: Take us to the bench! What is the process of creating the scallop cuff? What are you listening to while you work?

LW: I have this huge lasso of wire that gets cut down to your desired wrist size. Using a process of soldering, hydraulic pressing and metal finishing, I craft each bracelet with intention. Usually listening to true crime and fashion podcasts!

The Scallop Cuff has become one of my bestsellers and I love to see how people wear it, stacked with multiple Scallop Cuffs, each representing a loved one, or stacked with their own collection of special bracelets. It’s so fun to see your designs out in the world.

JB: Who/what else is currently inspiring you to create?

LW: Lately, I’ve been so inspired by the amazing women artisans and business owners I’m surrounded by—both in Nashville and beyond. Their creativity, resilience, and dedication to their craft push me to keep growing as an artist and entrepreneur. Whether it’s collaborating on projects, sharing insights, or just supporting one another, being part of this network of women has been both empowering and motivating.

Seeing how they bring their unique visions to life reminds me that my work isn’t just about creating beautiful jewelry—it’s about building connections and celebrating life. This sense of community keeps me inspired to craft pieces that are as meaningful and enduring as the women who wear them.

JB: I’m sure they would say the same about you! You radiate dedication and celebration in so many aspects of life. Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking time to share your world with mine. I admire you! xx