Today we’d like to introduce you to Taryn Miller.
Taryn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
So my story began in 2016 when I walked into the four seasons mall in Greensboro, NC for another day of shopping. I have loved jewelry for as long as I can remember because it holds beauty and when placed on the body, it enhances your features and is an open expression of the person who wears it. I have transitioned to many different styles from silver to gold to gaudy costume jewelry. While perusing through the mall, I decided to stop by a kiosk of this beautiful married couple who were selling small books and handmade copper jewelry. I had never seen anything like it and from that point on I was taken with jewelry that was different from “the norm.” I continued to purchase from them over the next few years until my birthday in October 2019. My older sister started to take notice of the copper and gemstones I was consistently wearing and asked if I wanted to go gem mining for my birthday. Without hesitation, I gave her a resounding YES!! We went to Elijah Mountain in Asheville NC and had the best day sifting through dirt to get to the beautiful stones within. In no time, I had a room full of gorgeous crystals, gemstones and fossils. It made me happy.
A couple days later, my room started to look like a rock museum and so I decided I would reorganize and store away the unnecessary stones. Then this urge of creativity came over me and I thought to myself, I adore jewelry so why not try to make something for myself since it’s something that I purchase often. I ran to the store to pick up all the tools I would need and decided to give it a go. I can still remember my first piece. It looked crazy but it was a sturdy necklace and the joy and pride I got from wearing something I created with my own hands and calling it my own was one of the best feelings I have ever had. Soon thereafter, I started making pieces for my family and growing up on my skills. My friends and others around me started to take notice and requested custom pieces for themselves and their loved ones. I decided that in January of 2020, I would turn it into a flourishing business. I have been so blessed to be where I am now and I do not regret it for one moment.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been the smoothest road because I started my business right before COVID – 19 hit. I paid for a couple of vendor events that unfortunately never happened, however I believe it gave me space to grow my business properly so that when it was time to present my material it was professional and intentional. In addition, the marketing of my pieces has been a difficult process to figure out but I truly enjoy learning new skill sets that take me out of my comfort zone so I believe I’m ready to conquer that as well.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Stone Foundationz is Christian based and I was convicted of being open but strategic in how I honored my Lord in my business. God is my source and not my resource and I dedicated my business to spread the kind of love and prosperity that was meant for the world instead of the evil that was given to one of God’s most beautiful creations (Earth Herself). There are many mentions of stones in the bible and from the very beginning, I wanted it to represent something that was strong and would not fail or fall. I used a play on words being that the bible mentions building your house on a “strong foundation’ so that it won’t fall or be destroyed by man. The story in the bible gives us a picture of different men who built their homes on different foundations and the sturdiest of them all was the man who built his house upon a rock. I quickly realized how perfect this was since I was dealing with stones and the rest is history.
Stone Foundationz is a jewelry business that specializes in gemstones crystals and minerals (copper wire wrapped). I create every piece by hand. First, I need to know what my customers are looking for so I am as detailed as I can be when it comes to their budget, ideas, and requests. Then once that is complete, I have to stare at the stone for a few moments so that my mind can find a starting point and create from there. I also tell my customers that I loved being challenged so if they see something they would like for me to recreate, I can. The best part about it is I am able to recreate almost anything with my personal twist and sometimes I astound myself at what I am capable of creating. Each stone represents different attributes in life that people would like to bring into fruition, such as peace, purpose, dedication, wisdom, intuition, better communication etc. and can also be quite healing if you believe. My job is to find out the needs of my customers and help find and create a piece that is meaningful to them and will help them navigate through life just a bit easier than before. (This is truly my favorite part).
I believe I reciprocate support for my community. I give monetary, mental, physical and emotional support to those who are in need and I believe this is what sets me apart from other businesses. I will always support black businesses and organizations, especially in today’s climate, honestly more now than ever before. My business goes far beyond the transaction itself. I have become somewhat of a talk counselor/non-judgmental listener for the majority of my clients. I also push entrepreneurship by highlighting other black businesses through my market of followers as well as linking different people together who may need a certain service completed or promoted. I couldn’t be happier with how my business has grown thus far. I can’t take all the credit because my friends and family have been my biggest supports and I am overjoyed to have them in my life to love and motivate me to be at my best.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Unfortunately, I am not in your city but I would love to visit and be a part of any major events you all may know of!!
Pricing:
- Prices start as low as $10 and can go from there depending on the detail of the requested piece
- Hair Jewelry $11 +
- Rings $16 +
- Earrings $16 +
- Necklaces $21 +
- Bracelets $21 +
Contact Info:
- Phone: 919-827-4037
- Email: stonefoundationztm@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/stonefoundationz
Image Credit:
www.candidmilestonesphotography.com Bree Bigelow
IG: Solomarley_
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