I have admired Kristin Hayes jewelry for a few years now. My friend Whitley is a stylist in town and she wore this one particular ring all of the time and I would just ohh and ahh over it. No matter what she was wearing, from dressy to running clothes, this was on her finger. It was a ring with her initials in gold, it was a little bit chunky and definitely one of a kind. It is Kristin’s signature ring and I am in love.
When I met with Kristin to find out her “story” I immediately asked about this ring. She explained to me that her her father wore a ring very similar when she was growing up and wanted to have a piece of him in her collection. She wanted women to have their own “power ring”. LOVE THAT. This ring comes in different sizes and finishes if gold and chunky isn’t for you.
Kristin was raised in Denver, NC and always loved jewelry. When she was in college at The College of Charleston, she remembers coming across a jewelry store that sold all handcrafted jewelry made all of different types of metal that blew her away. She started making her own in college to give away to her friends and family as gifts. In 2000, she moved to Charlotte after some time in NYC working in fashion and worked at the Speed Channel in Charlotte. During her free time, she would roam the bead shops around town and started making jewelry again and giving them as gifts. At some point she had an epiphany and knew this was what she was going to do this as her career.
Kristin knew she had to separate herself from everyone else. She loved metals and vintage jewelry, so she started buying things on etsy to give her some inspiration. When I met with her, she opened this drawer FULL of vintage earrings, broaches, necklaces, etc, that have given her inspiration and continue to do so. So beautiful!
In 2006 Kristin started her first line of jewelry called “Vanilla Jewelry”. She sold everything out of her house and through two boutiques in town, Sloan and Chezelle. It was mostly earrings and she felt so honored to be in these two amazing stores just starting out! She began to question the name of her line, so she changed it to her name and the line began to organically evolve. Kristin really listened to the women around her — she had a mom group that she would share her ideas with, make pieces for them to wear and get their feedback. She is very close to these women to this day and says they really inspired her because each one of them was so different.
My absolute favorite necklace that I wear everyday is the heart necklace above. I love it so much and it is the perfect layering piece. Now I am in love with the charm necklace that you can build on your own – a child initials, a special date, you name it, she can do it.
Her earrings so so simple and elegant. All her jewelry is gold filled 14k and sterling silver. Nothing will turn and she can work in any metal you wish. These are some of my favorites above, but be sure to check out more here.
These are two of my favorite necklaces that I would love to add to my heart one to layer. Kristin was wearing the this little light of mine necklace when I met with her and I couldn’t stop staring at it.. I think the forever necklace is so cute to put you and your husbands/significant others initials together, or your children – such a great gift. Kristin also has bracelets and is creating a belt that can be made with your initials like the ring and a purse as well – I can’t wait to see them!
Meet Kristin. She loves what she does and making special pieces for each one of her clients. Be sure to check out “her DVF wrap dress/aka signature ring” The Johnny Initial Ring – it is truly the coolest ring out there. AND…..from today until Sunday, please enjoy 15% off your order with BROOKE15 – this is a huge deal!! Happy Labor Day and Happy Shopping with Kristin Hayes!!
xx
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