A SPACE FOR ALL THINGS
HOME + DESIGN, LIFESTYLE,
HOSPITALITY + BUSINESS
ONYX + ALABASTER
ONYX + ALABASTER
Two weeks after she began making jewelry, her handcrafted design made its debut on the red carpet. The cuff Kimberly Paisley wore to the Netflix Premiere of Dolly Parton’s “Heartstrings”, was only the beginning for Cyndi and her now thriving jewelry line. Meet Cyndi Thomson, the artist behind the handcrafted jewelry pieces known as Haybelle Co.
Growing up in a small town in south Georgia, Cyndi’s eye for design came at a young age. At age 5 she helped her mother and grandmother create special occasion dresses. She remembers selecting the fabric and other materials needed to make the gowns. Her grandmother continued to inspire her even at age 99 when she picked up oil painting for the first time. Her grandmother’s legacy reminds her that it’s never too late to start something new.
Cyndi planted her roots in Nashville here alongside her husband DJ. Together they have two children named Hayden and Bella. A few years ago, she began longing for a creative purpose. Little did she know what was in store.
“I don’t own a lot of jewelry, I don’t even wear a lot of jewelry. It’s still amazing to me that I make jewelry,” says Cyndi.
Haybelle Co began on a beach trip to Seaside, FL. “I was out shopping, I saw a pair of earrings, looked at my husband and told him I was going to start making jewelry,” recalls Cyndi.
From there, Cyndi started going to estate sales and antique stores, knowing exactly what she wanted to do with the treasures she found. She simply started creating, by repurposing items into handcrafted jewelry pieces. “I felt the Lord say: ‘Look at what you are doing, you are taking things that people have discarded or thrown away and are making them new.'”
Reading what felt like the “spark notes” on the industry, Haybelle Co quickly took part in truck shows and found space in the home market at Onyx + Alabaster. All the while, Cyndi has been blown away by God’s goodness.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AND YOUR BUSINESS IN 5 YEARS?
I would love to have a storefront in downtown Franklin. In five years I can see myself creating clutches + handbags within Haybelle Co.
IF YOU HAD ONE PIECE OF ADVICE FOR SOMEONE WANTING TO BREAK INTO THE CREATIVE SPACE WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I can’t just give one piece of advice so here are a few:
– Find a great mentor that has overcome challenges as an entrepreneur. One that can walk you through challenges and help you keep your focus.
– Don’t have a fear of failure.
– Take one step at a time. I am a visionary… but looking at the endgame can stifle you. Focus on the what is right ahead of you.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY LISTENING TO?
The House of Miracles: Live Album by Brandon Lake.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE TOOLS/EQUIPMENT YOU USE WHILE YOU WORK?
Some tools I use to make my jewelry may be surprising. I use a nail file and a tooth brush among other jewelry tools. I also frequently use a Lightbox to photograph the pieces.
DREAM CLIENT OR COLLABORATION?
Trisha Yearwood, she made me want to be a country singer when I was younger.
Neutral or Color? Neutral
Moody or Bright? Moody
Favorite room in your house? My studio.
Favorite piece of work you have created? Right now my favorite piece is the Daredevil.
Favorite coffee flavor from O + A? Green tea
Want to hear more about Cyndi?
Listen to Cyndi’s interview with Tanya Hembree on the Black and White Sofa Podcast: Surrendering Your Dream with Cyndi Thomson
– Your Friend + Designer, Tanya