Lots of little girls grow up playing with costume jewelry. But not all of them turn a childhood hobby into a full-blown business. Unless you’re Taylor Miller.
At the young age of 9, Miller began playing with her grandmother’s costume jewelry, and a love of designing jewelry blossomed. She began repurposing her grandmother’s pieces into new creations. First came trunk shows, then, eventually, with a little help from $50 in Christmas money, she launched her own business, Hazen Jewelry. Yes, she was still only 9 years old.
That was all in 2002. Fourteen years later, the now 23-year-old Miller is running a highly successful company. Her jewelry is sold at more than 150 boutiques across the United States, as well as online, and Miller has opened her first brick-and-mortar store.
Located at 6445 Cedar Springs Rd., Ste. 203, the 1,200-square-foot space acts as the Hazen headquarters as well as a showroom for customers to shop the pieces in person, with styling assistants on hand to help with decisions. The showroom also features a section of “Taylor’s Favorite Things,” where Miller supports fellow entrepreneurs by selling their products.
On the décor side, Miller wanted customers to feel at home from the moment they walked in the door — achieved through comfy, cozy furniture sprinkled throughout, and a bar cart that occasionally serves happy hour champagne.
The jewelry itself is playful yet tasteful and includes an assortment of earrings, bracelets, and necklaces featuring semi-precious stones such as quartz, opal, freshwater pearl, chalcedony, and turquoise, in gold vermeil, brushed gold over brass, or sterling silver.
“Each piece is designed and created with the elegant and feminine woman in mind,” says Miller in a release. “Whether worn with jeans or a little black dress, Hazen Jewelry finishes every outfit with its ease of wear and fashionable presence.”
Showroom visits are by appointment only. Customers should call 601-573-5757 or email info@hazenjewelry.com to reserve a time.
The pieces can be dressed up or down.
