is drawn to duality: the fragile lines separating the light and the dark and the interplay of the two. I am the owner and designer of DRU., which is a jewelry company that uses symbols, icons, words, and phrases meant to empower and embolden the wearer and provides strength and solace, hope and inspiration. – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition? All of this while taking care of my own private life–health issues, family conflicts, maintaining relationships. Name a struggle, and I’m sure I have had to deal with it–building a cohesive brand, managing social media with zero experience, engaging people when there are so many other brands, paying the bills, handling production deadlines and mishaps, keeping the ship afloat when self-doubt rears its ugly head, dealing with the copycats and the haters and the snake oil salesmen. I think if there had been a smooth road, DRU. That is the brand–and the brand has evolved to reflect not just the struggles in one’s personal life, but the struggles that currently define us as a nation. is based on struggle–internal and external. ![]() Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome? It has been deeply humbling and incredibly challenging at times, but I have been blessed in the relationships I have made and in the lessons, I have learned and in the many ways my resolve has been tested. I made a lot of mistakes, but after getting to know many other designers, I learned it is part of the process. Then, I took all of that observing and prepared myself for the next Metal and Smith in August 2017.įrom there, I just kept going. I would say the real turning point was my first Metal and Smith show in New York in May 2017. I had gone from being a teacher-where you get to give all the answers-to be in a position where I needed help. ![]() I knew that I had a lot to learn, so I made it a point to keep an open mind and to ask a lot of questions. Designing jewelry is one thing, but making a business out of it requires a completely different skillset. I had always dabbled in jewelry design, but it was during a transition in my life in the fall of 2016 when I began to take it more seriously. Thea, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. ![]() Today we’d like to introduce you to Thea Miller.
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