Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Goehner.
Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am an artist. In May 2018, I became inspired to create leather earrings after making my first pair with a creative friend and businesswoman who then encouraged me to strike out on my own. Months after receiving so much encouragement from friends, family and strangers, I knew it was time. Lily Belle was born!
Handcrafted with love, Lily Belle jewelry is also inspired by my faith. When I started this process, I felt that God was leading me in so many ways. Whether it was picking out a bag of random leather scraps only to find some rare colored pieces or finding charms at a local shop in Georgetown, Texas and being encouraged by the owner (OoLaLa Unique Gifts) to pursue this passion, God was in every nook and cranny. All of the collections are named and themed with thoughtful intention and prayer. His peaceful nudges have helped guide me to create original pieces of jewelry that, I believe, carry something from Him to the wearer – and it is different for each person. God knows what we need, I just get to make one of the many vessels He uses to deliver blessings!
When I sat down to create a pair of leather earrings for the first time, the picture that appeared in my mind was that of a calla lily flower (like the ones in my Lily Collection). However, I couldn’t figure out what it represented in nature yet or how to cut it, so I chose to make a diamond/kite-shaped earring instead (which now makes up my Adamas Collection).
Lilies represent the abundance of God and happened to be my favorite flower! When I was looking up name meanings, I found a site that not only gave a description but notated what number and color is associated with each name/word. At first, those did not matter much to me, until I read on…and connect some dots.
Lily is associated with the number 22 – the first pair of earrings I ever created was on May 22. When I read this, I realized how special it was that I had decided “lily” would be in the name. How serendipitous!
I read on. Lily is associated with the color blue and Belle with red. And I knew I wanted the colors for my brand to be blue, red and purple with a little gold. It started to make sense! These 3 colors are also commonly associated with the Trinity (God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus), so it all made sense when it came to my branding. And the gold is the accent to represent the treasure within each of us put there by God.
How I came up with “Belle” is a different story. I have a cat named Lily (a.k.a. “The Littlest”) and it actually came rolling off my tongue one day: “Lily Belle!” Just a cute “pet” name, I thought. But when I sat down to write out names and phrases that would be contenders for a business name, “Lily Belle” came back to my mind. Belle means “beautiful” and “blessed.” And I believe these pieces can be a blessing and add to the beauty of the people who wear them. As all the pieces came together, it was easy to see that “Lily Belle” was the right name.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Overall, I have tried to remain flexible along this journey. I am way more of an artist than I am a businesswoman. I actually see my business as more of a ministry, so I have had to ask for (and pay for) help along the way trusting God to guide me as I go.
The biggest struggle has been navigating the business side of things. I hired a brilliant woman named Amy Vercruysse to help me launch my business, populate my newly built website by (Matt Armstrong), manage social media, etc. in 2021. Without her, I probably would have not made the deadline!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I design and create leather jewelry and accessories with high-quality, genuine leather sheets, pieces or scraps cutting them by hand. Each piece is inspired by my relationship with God.
What sets me apart, I believe, is that I do not use a machine to cut any of my leather. I cut everything by hand with scissors! And I do it with intentionality pouring love into every piece as I put it all together.
My goal is to create something new and unique with inspiration and peace. I am also dedicated to making high-quality jewelry and over the last year, I’ve been upgrading the metals and hooks I use to consider people with metal allergies.
I also make one of a kind pieces (Amaris Collection) and take custom orders! My most recent commissioned piece was actually a flower tiara for a woman’s 80th birthday!
When people order jewelry from me, I pray about the piece and ask God what He is saying about the item I am creating for them; I also include a heaven-inspired handwritten note with the item(s). The feedback from my customers about my jewelry and notes have been so wonderful; so much positive feedback!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising is probably that my background isn’t in jewelry making, but photography. I studied film for a bit at Baylor University but ended up at the Art Institute of Austin and received by BA degree in 2012. I did almost all of the photography on my website and social media, minus the portraits of myself of course!
And I recently started bringing some of my fine art photography to the market recently at the nudge of my sweet husband. Overall, the response has been really positive and encouraging! Plus, John and Yen Selking that run and operate the market – on top of being amazing farmers! – have also been so supportive and helpful along the way.
I enjoy the creative side of it all and being able to use so many of my different gifts in my business has been a blessing to me and others!
I feel when I’m at the market or at an event, I am doing what I am supposed to be doing – it brings me so much joy!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lilybelle.shop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilybelle.leather/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lilybelle.leather
Image Credits
Caitlin Leys – both photos of me
