Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Diver.
Justin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well, I started doing leatherwork when I was a freshman in high school, just to pass time since I didn’t have a license yet. At that time, it was just a way to have some spending money through high school. I had been interested in silversmithing and engraving since before I decided to start leatherwork. It was just so expensive to get started and I there wasn’t many resources on engraving equipment and what all you need to get set up doing it. So, I started doing leatherwork, and really enjoyed it. I did that all through high school and couple year of college. Always kinda mingling around forums about engraving. Once the pandemic hit, I took a break from school and was in leatherwork full time. In January of 2021, I was doing my normal mingling around the internet about engraving/engraving classes and found one down in Brookshire, Tx at Texas Engraving School. They were having a class in April of that year, and I some money saved up, so I figured what the heck. I figured if I either learn I didn’t like it, or I would learn what all I would need to get started. Obviously, it was the latter. So, I came home bought everything I needed, and was off to the races…. Well not exactly. I didn’t quite know how to build anything in silver, so I opted to take a buckle-making class in August of that year to get my feel wet. And after that is when it was off to the races. I’ve been full-time doing silver work now for about 8 months. Sadly, I’ve lost the spark for leatherwork, because I love working with silver and engraving so much, so I rarely take any leather orders anymore.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but what story is fun without ups and downs and twists and turns? Anyone starting a business is going to have ups and downs and that’s what makes it fun. Looking back to the days where you would second guess your decision starting a business and seeing how far you’ve came since then. I’ve definitely had times where I haven’t taken an order in a couple weeks or a month and I’m seeing the end of my order list get closer. I think man I better slow down or something, just so I know I have some orders on the list still, but then it never fails, it picks back up before I reach the end and I’m back to being busy again. I don’t think in 8 years of doing custom work whether it be leather or silver work, where I’ve completely reached the end of the list and didn’t have at least 1 order on the books. So, I always have to remind myself that.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a silversmith. I mainly specialize in belt buckles and jewelry; in jewelry, I build mostly wedding bands and engagement rings. I’m probably most known for my buckles, I’ve been blessed with more buckle orders than I deserve in the year I’ve been building them. That’s probably the most wanted custom item in silver work and in Texas.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Well, I don’t think there much of anything that would surprise anyone about me… if I had to pick something I’d say I’m really an introvert, especially when it comes to being around people I just met. I’m sure my friends would disagree since they can’t seem to shut me up when I’m around them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.justindiversilver.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindiversilver/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustinDiverCustom
