Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Williams.
Leah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I named my small business after two women I greatly admire, my grandmother Ruby and my mom Patty Mae. My business began with a big idea and twenty dollars’ worth of vintage buttons. I started creating jewelry pieces for friends using vintage buttons pulled from their grandmothers button jars. I expanded to finding my own beads and items from the Tucson Gem & Mineral show, online wholesalers and the annual Arizona State Button convention.
In 2013, Go Daddy selected Ruby Mae Jewelry to be featured in a series of television, online and Facebook advertisements. I was the Go Daddy Facebook banner for over a month and technically I’m a Go Daddy girl. Wink wink. Ruby Mae pieces have also been featured in Phoenix Home & Garden, Gladys Magazine, KEEL Magazine, Jack & Jill, 202, RockThiz and Arizona Foothills.
Ruby Mae pieces lean towards big and bold. As a romantic, I like to create with buttons over a hundred years old that could have been worn by someone on a dance floor in a country far, far away. I repurpose buckles and chains and give new life to trinkets and beads. With a nod to my family roots, I sometimes use Montana Moss Agates as a centerpiece on a necklace. I believe it’s important to create something new with items once forgotten. I offer special order bracelets and necklaces using items clients provide or we pick out together. I love seeing the costume jewelry or vintage buttons they bring me that was owned by their relatives. When I make them something new and wonderful they frequently tear up seeing their treasures given new life. In 2013 my Dad Jake joined my business. He makes all our hand stamped charms including the popular Hole in My Heart Charms.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Christmas Eve 2013 while opening a can of artichokes, I pulled the lid across my thumb and severed the extensor tendon. It left me needing surgery. I had orders to fill and was feeling stressed. My arm was in a sling post operation. I couldn’t use my left hand for 4 months. That was a problem as I use tools in both hands to make my nieces.
My dad had been missing my mom who had passed from ovarian cancer two years prior. He called me one afternoon offering to help me with my business. I asked, what could he do. He said, “I can be your hands.”
Growing up the 3rd oldest of 7 kids, I was closer to my mom. I gladly accepted his offer. He moved into our camper trailer on the side of our house for 7 months. We would sit side by side at the kitchen table. I’d lay out the pieces for a bracelet and he’d assemble them.
He didn’t like how the chains flopped around the table, so he built a tool to hold the chain in place. We’ve since sold 3 of the tools.
He made my sign sandwich boards by printing the 100 font letters out on my computer and then he used an X-acto knife to carve each stencil.
Per request of our customers, he started hand stamping names, dates & initials for personalized charms. Then one June day in 2015 he created the Hole In My Heart charm. He said it was for people like him with a hole in their heart missing a loved one. I posted it on social media and the positive feedback was immense.
Two years ago we took a 4400-mile road together up and across Montana and back home. It was magical. Cutting my hand was the best thing that ever happened to my little business.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Ruby Mae Jewelry story. Tell us more about the business.
My small jewelry business is unlike any other I know of. My taste for bold, colorful and one of a kind pieces has been well received by other women looking for something fun and unique.
I can make items as large or as small as needed and that’s a bonus for women who are not the average size. I don’t let women apologize for having a big wrist. I say, “Sister we’re all different and let’s find your size”. I use oversized chains and clasps to make hooking it together quick and easy.
I am a “no harm button artist”. I’ve found a way to attach them without harming them. This is important to me and the button community. For example, when handling a 200-year-old button, there’s no reason to smash it or ruin it. Clients often have buttons and brooches passed down thru the generations. We take those items and create something new for them or family members. It’s very rewarding. Twice a year I have a 30’x15′ jewelry booth at the Junk in The Trunk Show Vintage Market at West World. I set up a button station where I teach kids for $1 how to make a Button Up using a button, dental floss and a ponytail holder. Those can then be used for their hair or to tie onto cables for organization. They love learning how to make and them. Some come back show after show to do it again or teach a friend. There’s 6 ways to sell jewelry and I try to hit them all. I sell online thru my website rubymaejewelry.com
Facebook, Instagram. Wholesale to local shops, jewelry shows, private parties and consignment. I just became a new vendor at the swank Sweet Salvage 4 day show that takes place once a month. I also teach jewelry workshops. The only place I don’t sell is at trade shows. We didn’t know the symptoms of ovarian cancer and were caught off guard with my mothers’ diagnosis. In honor of her, I share NOCC ovarian cancer symptom cards at all of my shows and in my shipments.
New product lines include:
– Fiddle Fobs-variety of shapes & textures, meant for restless hands, inspired by my mom in law w/ Alzheimer’s.
– Bridal Bouquet Charms – watch face with battery removed, set to the time of the wedding, paired with charms & a vintage wedding dress button, clips onto bridal bouquet
– Purse Pull – chain with beads and charms meant to hook onto a purse or backpack
– Charm Pull – shorter than a purse pull, great for work badges or lanyards
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was an active kid. I climbed tress and played sports. My folks had 7 kids and they made most of our gifts. I remember my mom making my Barbie furniture from our oatmeal boxes. Mom sewed our clothes and was my Girl Scout leader. She also did needlepoint and babysat babies. I grew up in a calm home. There wasn’t shouting or yelling, and everyone played and got along.
We moved to Tempe, Arizona in 1977 from San Antonio Texas. We gained a small pool and fruit trees and I thought we lived like movie stars. Reality hit a year later when my dad’s company laid off 6 of the 7 men they had transferred from Texas. At this point my folks had 6 kids and my dad was out of work. My mom always worked, and everyone did what they could. My first job was at Long John Silvers. Next, I moved to Sears lingerie. Back then you were paid time and half on Sundays and holidays even if you were a teenager. We wore panty hose and heels and there was profit sharing.
I graduated high school, went to ASU and picked up a second job at KNIX radio station. My senior year at ASU I married Scott, my high school sweetheart We met at a Waylon Jennings concert at the state fair when I was 15. My degree is in broadcast production and my last year at ASU I started working on television sports productions. I am in year 28 of that field as a freelance stage manager. I current work on the FOX Sports Suns telecasts. I’ve also worked telethons, concerts, all major sports and a game show. My husband Scott is captain with Tempe Fire Department and we’ve raised 3 young men now in their 20’s. I love my life.
Pricing:
- Hole In My Heart Charms $12-22
- Custom Brooch Necklaces $200+
- Bracelets $45-65
- Large Stone Necklaces $75-95
Contact Info:
- Website: rubymaejewelry.com
- Phone: 928 275 4030
- Email: leah@rubymaejewelry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubymaejewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubymaejewelry/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rubymaejewelry
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ruby-mae-jewelry-higley
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/rubymaejewelry/pins/
Image Credit:
Tanner Locust – photo of my dad Jake
Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix 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.
