About Us
Here at Hey Zoe, we specialize in lovely, wild, and unique handcrafted turquoise, raw gemstone, and western jewelry pieces. The store was named after my daughter Zoe, so you’ll want to stick around; her personality is a lot to live up to!
My name is Nicole, and I am a farmer's wife and mama-owned business based in Oklahoma.
I started my jewelry business during one of the hardest times in my life, after losing our baby. The pain of that loss was almost unbearable, and I struggled to find a way to cope. That's when I knew it was time to start the jewelry business I had been thinking about for a long time. The downtime of grief and heartache set me up to take the leap, and I’m so happy I did!
—A little tidbit about my favorite stone, turquoise! And what artisan-crafted jewelry is all about. ❤️—
Southwestern turquoise jewelry is renowned for its unique beauty and rich history. This type of jewelry is prized for its striking blue color and distinctive appearance, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate bold, eye-catching accessories.
The history of turquoise jewelry in the Southwest dates back centuries. Native American tribes, such as the Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi, have long incorporated turquoise into their traditional jewelry designs. For these tribes, turquoise is a sacred stone that represents health, prosperity, and protection. But the craft of silversmithing is still thriving and you can find artisans all over the world perfecting their craft. Maybe one day, I’ll learn how to smith my own jewelry!
The process of creating hand-crafted jewelry is time-consuming and labor-intensive. It begins with the mining of the turquoise or stones to be used in the pieces, which is often done by hand. The stone is then carefully selected based on its quality and color, and cut into the desired shape. Next, the turquoise is set into a piece of jewelry, such as a ring, necklace, or bracelet, using a variety of techniques. Traditional Southwestern jewelry often features intricate silver work, including hand-stamped designs and elaborate filigree patterns.
One of the unique qualities of artisan jewelry is that each piece is handcrafted using traditional techniques. This means that no two pieces are exactly alike, and each piece has its own character and story. Another factor that sets turquoise jewelry apart is the quality of the turquoise itself.
The Southwest is home to some of the world's finest turquoise, including the highly coveted Sleeping Beauty turquoise. This top-quality stone is known for its pure, intense blue color and lack of matrix.
Another of my favorite jewelry concepts is raw gems.
Raw gemstone jewelry is a quickly growing trend in the world of accessories. These types of stones are gaining popularity because of their authentic look and the perceived healing and wellness benefits that people associate with them.
What is Raw Gemstone Jewelry?
Raw gemstone jewelry is any jewelry that features a raw, uncut, or unpolished gemstone stone. Unlike polished gemstones, show a smooth, uniform surface, raw gemstones showcase the natural texture and color of the stone. The stones can be cut and made into a variety of shapes and designs, but the integrity of the original piece remains.
And lastly, we can’t forget about absolute LOVE for hippie boho vibes and all of the jewelry that falls into that category. I made sure to include this into my store and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do! ☮️🕊
Overall, our artisan jewelry is a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate the rich cultural history and support the artisans that work hard to build and perfect their craft. Whether you're looking for a bold statement piece or a subtle accessory, there's a piece jewelry that's perfect for you.
Each authentic piece here at Hey Zoe is crafted with love and care, and I hope that they bring a little bit of joy and beauty into your life.
Thank you for supporting my small business and a dream!
XX,
Nicole Base