What drives Ally B. Frazier of Stix & Stones Jewelry?

Ally Frazier is the founder of Stix & Stones Jewelry, a local, handmade jewelry company.

What is the most popular item that you make?

I wouldn’t say I make a particular item that is more popular than another, mostly because each of my pieces is as different from the other as the women who buy them. But, I would say that necklaces have become my forte. I’ve dabbled some with bracelets, and earrings (more to come in the future!) but necklaces are really where my strengths lie. I also believe, more than anything that people have come to love and recognize the materials I use. Particularly the Quartz “Stix.”  Generally these pieces range from $35.00-$70.00. I know this seems like a wide range but the way I see it is everyone loves jewelry, why not make an array of items that everyone can afford?

How did you start making this item?

Last summer, I was unemployed and found myself with quite a bit of extra time on my hands. It was one of those situations where I had the time, discovered I also had the creativity and skill, and decide why not? Maybe if I couldn’t afford to buy the things I loved so dearly, I could make my own!

How long does it take to complete?

It is really rare for me to sit down and make just one necklace. Creativity is a process for me that can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a week! Usually, I sit down and create for 3 – 6 hours at time. This could turn out 3 necklaces, or 7, or 1 if I’m having an off night! (I get the designers version of writers block – is there a word for that?) I’d say on average each piece takes about 30-45 minutes to create but it really depends on how much of the vision I have ahead of time! Custom design pieces can take up to two weeks, though part of that can be contributed to the hurry up and wait process of finding the perfect beads.

How did you learn how to do this? Who taught you?

I guess in a way you could say life taught me. I’ve always been fascinated by fashion, so that was inherently built in. When I first started designing, there was a lot of trial and error. A lot of trial and error, ha-ha. Along the way I have learned a lot, if you can believe it, from online tutorials and books! I’m also the crazy lady at the market who asks, “Oh my God! How did you make that!?” as vendors warily look at me as if to say, “Why do you want to know??” Not to mention the ladies at Beadlush and Beads Inc. who are always there to throw out suggestions, give inspiration, or just have a friendly chat. I think, as a designer and as a beginner, the biggest thing I’ve learned is that everyone has something to teach you, and to never stop learning!

Who was your first customer?

I guess you could say my first customer was a mixed-bag. Back in November, Corri Smith held her Night at Napa Fundraiser to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at Napa on Providence. Little did I know, later that night Erin Breeden would all but elbow someone out of the way, (we say this jokingly, but really) to make the final bid on it. She tells me to this day she’d had her eye on it for weeks! The best part? Erin has now become one of my biggest supporters, and friends. It’s funny how your craft can design your life, isn’t it?

How did your first prototype look/feel?

I actually have a photo of it I’m going to share with you. It was a phantom amethyst, which I picked for my birthday, and I chose to wire wrap it, which is still one of the hardest things I do today!!

My very first designs were crude inklings of what I create today. But even then you could see the fundamental elements, the natural feel of being from the earth, even though I had absolutely no idea what I was doing at the time! Haha!  I still have that amethyst necklace, in it’s original state, and often wear it to my handmade markets. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come and how beautiful even the crudest and most elementary of things can be.

How do you develop product?

Honestly, it just sort of happens. I know that sounds dismissive or secretive, but it’s the truth. Occasionally I’ll sketch out an idea, I tried this more at the beginning, but truth be told I’m just not much of a artist! I also see things that inspire me daily. Most of the time, when the mood strikes, which is about 3-4 times a week (time permitting) I sit down in front of my beads and I just start creating. There isn’t really a how, or a step by step process to it. I start with one bead (or beads) that I see as a centerpiece and I just build!

When you see a customer with your item, how does it make you feel?

Now that I’ve started seeing people wearing my designs that I don’t know, it’s still a little shocking. It’s very much so a, “Hey! I made that!” type of feeling. To me though, what has become even better, is when people come up to me and tell me how many compliments they have gotten on their Stix+Stones design. It’s not even that fact that they’re getting compliments, it’s seeing the look on their faces and how happy they are when they are telling me that makes my heart feel like I am going to explode. It’s flattering sure, but it’s also insanely humbling for me to think that something I made with my own two hands could make someone feel that way.

Why do you do it?

I think part of this leads from your last question, sometimes what keeps me going is the fact that people like my designs. I have been blessed with a killer support system and am surrounded by rad people who make pursuing your passions do-able and tolerable. As we all know, sometimes taking that first step off the beaten path is the hardest one! I also do it because well, I love it. I love the creative outlet, and working with my hands. I love creative these beautiful one of a kind pieces that women see, and wear, as extensions of themselves. I love being able to give them, and in turn myself, that voice.

Plus, I guess one day I woke up and just said why not?

What would this item lose if it were mass produced? Would you ever mass produce?

Honestly, I’m not sure that Stix+Stones can be mass produced. They aren’t designed to be duplicated. Many of my materials you can’t just buy in bulk, or replace. They’re supposed to be different, just like the people who buy them and wear them. How can you teach someone to see your dream, or design your way? You can’t.

Now, that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about the future of Stix+Stones. Change and expansion is inevitable as it continues to grow, and hopefully it will! Long-term, and this is very long term, my ideal expansion would mean bringing in new designers under the Stix+Stones brand. This would mean once the demand for Stix+Stones becomes so high I would start looking for other small artists and designers who would fit cohesively with the brand. I’d like to see Stix+Stones as an umbrella, maybe it could even help other artists in the future find their passions and pursue their dreams.

What’s one thing you’ve learned about making a physical item that would surprise people?

I have learned that I wasn’t born with patience, and I still don’t have any! I’m joking, but only sort of. Though I will say loving what you do can make you fight through that urge to flip the table over after you’ve restrung that one necklace 18 times! Ha! Also, it’s hard. Honestly, making a physical product is a lot like life. Often it’s hard. There is a lot of trial and error. Sometimes you work on something really hard, for a long time, and it’s still just bad. Then sometimes, when the stars align and all your hard work pays off, you get something beautiful. That’s what I’m doing here. Creating the beautiful things.

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