EEK! I am so excited to have this fox on the blog I can barely deal!!!
If you haven’t heard of Samantha Wills jewels…well you’re a. more than likely living under a rock & b. about to have a brand new jewelry obsession.
Samantha Wills isn’t just one of those individuals who came from money & hired a bunch of people to make a jewelry line with her name on the label- she started this whole thing herself from the bottom up. She poured her heart & soul into every detail of her company and has turned her passion into a seriously epic jewelry empire.
Which, IMO, that’s what makes an entrepreneur. Not someone who just pulls some strings, starts a business, gets other people to run it, & frolics around the Maldives sipping fruity cocktails & tanning. It’s someone who works after hours/weekends, oversees every detail, & gets there hands dirty on the daily. When you look at the details of Samantha Wills jewelry, you can literally tell & feel the personal touch put into it and that makes owning a piece that much more special.
You catch my drift? Basically, she’s a total #GIRLBOSS & I’m wayyy into it.
So… when I got the chance to pick this babes brain, you better believe I wanted all the dirty deets on how she began her company, what it takes to run a seriously huge biz, what keeps her inspired, how she banishes creative blocks, her top secret health & beauty tips (get ready to have a whole new view on baby wipes!), Fall faves & so so much more. Trust- it’s a good read!
Also– you gotta be sure check out her jewelry!! It’s to-die-for & the delivery is just out of control chic (sooo Insta-worthy, LOL!). Although it was really tough, I rounded up my top fave Samantha Wills pieces below for all of you guys to ch-ch-check out. As you can see, I am really digging layered necklaces & dainty pieces::
1. Tribal Dreaming Necklace layered w/ the Voyage to India Pedant Necklace.
2. Wanderlust Necklace layered w/ the Leo Necklace & the White Howlite Necklace
3. Heartbeats in the Sun Bracelet (so good!!)
Without any further adieu, pleased to introduce all of you lushes to Samantha Wills!! Happy reading & Happy Friday! xx, E
» Hey Samantha! So excited to have you & your beautiful creations on the blog today! Please, introduce yourself!
Samantha Wills: Thank you for having me! Samantha Wills // 32 // New York City & Sydney (usually 6 weeks NYC, 2 weeks Sydney consistently) // Creative Director // Samanthawills.com.
» How did you get started in the world of jewelry design? What’s the story behind the brand?
SW: I started the brand when I was 21, just a hobby selling at the local Bondi Beach markets (In Sydney, Australia). I had a normal job through the week & then I started making more money at the markets then at my job – about a year in, a friend offered me a space on a showroom wall at Australian fashion week, I took the space hoping to make the $500 cost back & walked away with $17,000 worth of orders! I quit my job the next day & gave everything I had to building this brand.
» Celebs are love love loving Samantha Wills jewels, anyone in particular that really got you starstruck seeing them in your creations?
SW: Yes! All of them make me star struck! Having Eva Mendes wear our Bohemian Bardot ring, which has since become our signature piece was pretty special. As was having a piece appear in the SATC film.
» Seeing that you are a serious kick-ass & take names kinda entrepreneur w/ a growing jewelry empire, do you have any tips for making it in the biz?
SW: It requires a dedication that is beyond anything you can comprehend going into starting a business. I started out 10 years ago & it was nearly as competitive (Facebook wasn’t even invented!), and in the early days, I was working 20 hours days & didn’t take a holiday for 3 years. It takes your everything, but if you truly love what you are doing, and it is your true passion, it won’t seem like a job, it will feel like an incredible, challenging journey.
» What inspires your work & your beautiful creations? How do you continue to stay inspired & dodge any unwanted “creative blocks”?
SW: To me, the creative element is the easiest part – that’s the fun part! I once read a Tom Ford article that I love & he said, as a creative, you are expected to have genius ideas, four times a year, on specific dates. And its so true – everyone assumes having a creative company means everything you do is design / creative related. While it starts & ends with product, it really is only a small part of the business process.
When all else fails – do SOMETHING. Anything. I find that the blocks are only prolonged by procrastination.
» Tell us about some projects you are currently working on with Samantha Wills jewelry.
SW: We are investing a lot more into our FINE division– we have done costume accessories for such a long time, its great to be able to work in finer metals & really infuse our signature style into that.
We also have a new handbag line in the works for next summer & our bridal division has just re-launched, which, while titled bridal, is designed for any type of after dark soiree. In association with this, we have also launched The Wedding Journal – a digital platform that showcases the collection in editorials & also lists our favorite inspirations in the industry.
» Any top secret beauty/hair tips & tricks you can’t live without?
SW: Replace your makeup remover wipes with baby wipes – I was given this tip by a makeup artist– not only are they cheaper, but they are designed for baby’s skin, so they only have the softest ingredients – also, as old school as it is, water is best beauty skin treatment!
» You are in such fab shape—any healthy tips for girls with a hectic lifestyle?
SW: That is very lovely of you to say, my schedule has been crazy as of late, so I don’t feel that great! Travelling a lot, you are often battling jet lag & the last thing you want to do is workout, so if I can’t drag myself to the hotel gym, I really ensure I watch what I’m eating, ordering often just bowls of steamed vegetables.
Regarding workouts, if you find something you love, it doesn’t feel like a chore, sometimes this takes testing a few things, but try finding a class that you like & hopefully a friend will like it to. I do Flybarre with one of my best girlfriends, so not only do we get to spend the hour together, but we always grab a coffee afterwards – so it makes it a social outing, with a bit of toning in the middle! :)
» If we emptied your purse right now, what would we find?
SW: Lots of currency from different countries – but all up its probably worth no more then $50! I need to sort thru it. In the past 2 weeks I have been to London, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, China & Hong Kong!
» What’s the first thing you notice in an outfit & why?
SW: If the person wearing it, is rocking it. It is the confidence you have that shines the brightest, so if something doesn’t make you feel good, don’t wear it. I think it is also good for ease of life, to cull your closet to contain only things you feel great in. if you haven’t worn it for ages or you don’t feel good in it, simply get rid of it.
» What do you skimp on fashion wise? What do you splurge on?
SW: The older I get, the more I purchase investment pieces. They fit the body better & they last so much longer. On basics, I still splurge on however, T-shirts from American Apparel are my favorite.
» Fave places to shop, online or otherwise?
SW: Shopbop.com & Revolveclothing.com are my favorites.
» Your Top 5 Fall Must Haves:
SW: black skinny leg jeans, studded Chloe boots, Givenchy bag, super super super chunky grey knit scarf & a Rag & Bone felt hat. Sadly, I only currently own the first & last item!
» Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
SW: Eat well. Travel Often.