Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Hooper O’Mahony.
Elizabeth, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My road to becoming a jewelry designer is pretty random. I was a high school English teacher for ten years. I had my first daughter and decided to stay home and not return to teaching. After teaching, I became part owner of a clothing boutique – I always loved fashion and the opportunity presented itself. This was a new and exciting experience, but I got pregnant with my second daughter and decided to sell my part of the business. I eventually started doing freelance writing for a few fashion publications as well as taking metalsmithing classes at The Craft Guild of Dallas. I fell in love with this and took lessons for a few years until I set up a small studio in my garage. As I kept working and creating jewelry for fun, I decided that it was time to try and make it a business. I found some master metal smithers to help me make prototypes. I also found a manufacturer in NYC to make the jewelry from the prototypes. Once I had all that in place, everything started rolling more smoothly and I created my first two collections as well as a signature line with semi-precious stones. This has all been a long process with a lot of learning curves, but it has been so rewarding to build something from scratch that I am passionate about.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road! Starting something from scratch never is! Every part of this process has required patience and has been about trial and error. The only reason I have stuck with it is because I love the process of design and working with my hands. Taking a piece of metal or wax and working with it and turning it into something is just such fun and ignites your creative spirit. The biggest obstacles have definitely been finding and working with the manufacturer. Finding a company who understands your vision and can produce the pieces according to your vision takes time and patience. It requires that you stay flexible while maintaining the integrity of the design.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am the owner and founder of a jewelry design company named Elizabeth Hooper Studio (Hooper is my maiden name). I design and make jewelry; most is cast in either brass or sterling silver and plated in 14 karat gold. I have a signature line that has semi-precious stones as well. My line has earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings. The designs are very bold and sculptural and organic in shape. They are definitely statement-making, experimental designs. I design pieces for a fashion-forward customer who loves jewelry. I am most proud of how I have built a business from nothing but a passion and perseverance and how I approach the design process with an artful perspective. I am not concerned with what is popular or trendy; I always stay true to my vision and try to create pieces that reflect my love of art and fashion.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I was born and raised in Dallas and I have seen this city change in so many ways over the past 20 years. I think Dallas is an ideal place to start a business – it is a diverse city that supports entrepreneurship. Living here is affordable. It is a central location in the country and it has proven itself to be a burgeoning metropolis. People here love to travel, are cultured and have money to spend. Art and fashion have always been on the forefront here (think Neiman Marcus and how many of the country’s most prominent art collectors live here). There is also a growing population of young, creative talent here that I think has taken the city from being conservative and conventional to a city with new ideas and an appetite for change and growth in all areas. I think that no matter what business you are in, Dallas has space for you to grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elizabethhooper.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @elizabethhooperstudio @lizzzmahone
Image Credit:
Marshall Cox of Secretary Studio
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