Meet Staci Sawyer Phebus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Staci Sawyer Phebus. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m Staci, a jewelry designer and Metalsmith living in East Raleigh with my husband and two dogs. Working with metal has been my passion since 1998 when I took my first jewelry course at East Carolina University School of Art & Design. During my sophomore year, a potter friend encouraged me to sign up for a beginning metals course. I soon found the process of metalworking to be captivating, challenging, and even gratifying, when things went well. Metals – seemingly cold, hard materials could be formed, pierced, forged, melted, and manipulated. The variety of techniques was mind-blowing. Every metal has unique working properties and there was, of course, FIRE involved! I shifted my course of study from painting and went on to earn a BFA with a Metal Design concentration in 2002. After many years of making jewelry as a hobby while working in another field, then starting JBM as a part-time project in 2014, I took the leap to go full-time in 2018, at age 40. Creating wearable art in my home studio is a true joy. I am so grateful every day for this life and the wonderful folks who support my handmade business.

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?
Overworking tends to be a major obstacle for me. I really love what I do so much that I need to be careful not to burn myself out physically and mentally. Running a small business solo is not work the weak of heart. There is always something that needs attention, an email or DM to reply to, a tax bill to pay, jewelry to make! I wear all the hats right now and it can be stressful at times. Years of learning from experience has taught me the value of my time and work, as well as the importance of asking for help when I need it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I design and create wearable art jewelry intended for daily wear using gold, silver, and semiprecious gemstones. My work is often reflective of the natural world, which I find endlessly inspiring. With specialized tools and using traditional metalsmithing skills, I make one of a kind pieces, small-batch production jewelry, and also work directly with clients to create pieces that celebrates life’s special moments, like marriage, an anniversaries, or memorial jewelry. I sell my work through my online shop as well as in several North Carolina shops and galleries, all of which may be found on my website.

Any big plans?
I plan to keep JBM on the small side. My business has grown every year and, though I could try and expand, I feel I’ve found a “sweet spot” making jewelry for collection drops, retail shops, and custom orders. I’d like to hire someone to offset some of the office related tasks and the easier aspects of jewelry production. Mostly I plan to continue creating and supporting those who do the same. So many great artists and makers call Raleigh home and I plan to stick around and continue the dream in this great community!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.juniperbaymetals.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/juniperbaymetals
• Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/stacisawyerjewelry

Image Credits
LadyeJane Vickers