My 2024 Wrapped

By Sarah DeAngelo

Let's wrap up 2024! Join me as I reflect on the year behind and prepare for the new year ahead.

What were your favorite pieces you made this year?

I made a lot of really fun one of a kind pieces this year! Here are my top 3:

Sunflowers! These were inspired by a customer who wanted a statement sunflower cuff, remind her of her days growing up in Kansas. After her custom piece, I made several more, tweaking the design with each itineration. The beauty of the turquoise really stands out as the centerpiece of these sunflowers. They just feel like joy and sunshine.

Lavender turquoise. This magical turquoise from Kazakhstan has been a personal favorite for years. It is hard to come by. The color is like lavender pools of water. I made these hoops for an SD Exclusive Facebook Sale earlier this year and they still stand out as one of my favorites of the year.

The prettiest Opal. This was the prettiest opal I have ever set. I have had this piece in my collection for 20 years. I purchased it from a stone cutter who mined it himself in Australia. It was too pretty to use. But this was the year to get over my fears and use that gorgeous piece of earth. It could only be set 14k gold.

What are your proudest accomplishments from 2024?

It still feels shocking to look back over the year and realize what we accomplished. There are just 3 of us. Me, my office manager Ashley and my production assistant Katie. Together, we successfully ran a retail store, a wholesale business, & an online business.

Here are some fun numbers from the year:

We made/sold approximately 10,000 pieces of jewelry & gifts (What??!!)

We served 3,452 people in my retail shop

I was able to support 60+ other artisans in my shop along with my jewelry.

We made 2 Wholesale collections, with around 200 pieces each.

We sold the wholesale collections to 60+ other stores around the country.

Our little team had 2 trips to the ER- my production assistant Katie had a flex shaft accident to her eye. I went in for dehydration during the holiday rush.

We only had 3 known pieces stolen from my retail store- while a bummer, it definitely could have been worse!

Something New This Year:

Leather! I recently found a cool, local source for high quality leather. I’ve been experimenting with incorporating more of it into my work. It has been so much fun!

I love the textural, softness it adds to my work.

Other proud moments from the year:

My trip to Uganda was a huge highlight of the year. I traveled to Africa in September with an organization called Musana with the goal of teaching jewelry making skills at their women's empowerment center. I taught around 50 women to make jewelry. We had a such great time and they taught me so much about resilience, creativity and hope.

My husband learned to cut stones this year. I have been dreaming of this collaboration for years and we finally made it happen. He is enjoying his new hobby, and I am dreaming of all the designs I can do with my own personal stone cutter!

I got to meet my half-sister! 3 years ago I discovered I had a half-sister! My father died when I was 9, and he never knew he had another daughter!

After 4 years of submitting designs, I finally got another order from the Sundance Catalog! I will have 3 pieces in the January Catalog! Sundance has been a dream of mine for 26 years. When I first started I would save and bookmark every single Sundance Catalog.

What was your biggest challenge of 2024?

My biggest challenge continues to be maintaining a work-life balance. As a small business owner there is always so much to do. I also love what I do. Which is both a blessing and a curse. I work a lot. Both out of necessity and out of passion. Working also serves as an escape. It is easier to work, where I feel in control, accomplished and appreciated. That is a powerful drug. It is much harder to do the dishes, meal plan or fight boredom. I will continue the fight for better balance. I fight for my family. I know my presence is valuable. I just have to overcome my own insecurities and drive to prove myself valuable.

Most Popular Items This Year:

My most popular items were simple rings. This little knot ring was my most sold product in the shop, and the After the Rain ring was the most sold item online.

Most unexpected popular item? Ornaments! Who knew you all would love these so much! It started as just one with a turquoise center, but after the huge response, I made several more. They sold out so quickly! Expect many more next year!

My 2025 Trend Predictions:

My trend prediction for 2025 is going to be chains. Chains are hot. Thick, bold chains. Layered, mixed metals, with or without stones. Chains used in unexpected ways, such as made into post earrings or incorporated in unconventional ways.

Final Reflection:

Here we are at the end of another year. As a I reflect back, I see a year of constancy. At first look this can feel disappointing. No big growth. No big movement. Just steady. But the more I reflect, I see stability. I see strength in maintaining a successful business. I see pushing through without the big motivating hills to climb. I see 2 amazing employees who are loyal, reliable, and most importantly a joy to work with every day. I see perseverance through a wildly unpredictable and unstable economic year. I see my family, happy and healthy. My boys are both now in High School and thriving. I got to be a soccer mom and a band mom. It is a blessing to have a steady year. To breathe. To accept what is instead of always striving for more. Thank your for coming along side me on this journey. 2025 holds new beauty to be discovered!