Meet Julia Curran

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julia Curran a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Julia, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

Keeping my creativity alive hasn’t always been easy! With Metal + Stone Goods now four years old, there have certainly been times when inspiration doesn’t come as easily as it used to. In those moments, I’ve learned that it’s best to take a step back and focus on something different. If I push myself to create when I’m not in the right headspace, my work tends to feel sloppy, and I even struggle with tasks that are usually second nature. So, when I feel myself slipping into a creative funk, I shift gears to something more routine—something that doesn’t require as much mental energy. This approach has been a lifesaver because forcing creativity just isn’t fun. I’ve learned to embrace the natural ebb and flow, letting inspiration guide me when it’s there and giving myself the freedom to recharge when it’s not.

I’ve also found that trying other art forms can be a great way to reignite my creativity. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with wheel throwing, and it’s been such a refreshing way to challenge myself and get out of my head. Traveling has also been a huge source of inspiration for me. My husband and I love exploring new places, and along the way, I’m constantly inspired by different artisans and the passion they put into their work. Being in new environments and immersing myself in nature always sparks new ideas and gives me a fresh perspective.

Of course, I still get stuck sometimes—it’s just part of the process. But these experiences have helped me stay connected to my creative spark over the years.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m the founder and creator behind Metal + Stone Goods, a small jewelry brand that I started in 2020. I design and handcraft each piece from my home studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan. What’s special about Metal + Stone is that each piece carries a bit of my story and the places that have shaped me. My husband and I have lived in Arizona, Hawai’i, and now Michigan, and I draw inspiration from the natural beauty of each of these places. You’ll find turquoise reminiscent of the Sonoran Desert, pearls from a small shop I found in Hawai’i, and even beach glass that I’ve found along the coasts of both Hawai’i and Michigan.

I’m passionate about creating jewelry that’s simple and minimal, allowing the natural beauty of each stone to take center stage. I take pride in using high-quality metals and ethically sourced stones to create pieces that are distinctive, well-crafted, and environmentally conscious. My goal is to offer more than just jewelry—to create pieces that carry a story and become meaningful to the person wearing them.

What’s most exciting for me right now is the journey of growing this business, balancing it alongside my work with a nonprofit, and assisting another jewelry maker. It’s definitely not easy, but I wouldn’t trade the challenge for anything. Every time I hear from someone who loves my work or see a returning customer at a market, it reminds me why I do what I do. Those connections make all the hard work feel worthwhile.

As for what’s new, I’m always experimenting with new techniques and designs, so there are always fresh pieces coming out. I love exploring different ways to combine stones and metals, and I’m looking forward to releasing a few new collections in the coming months. I also have lots of markets coming up in the Grand Rapids area as we head into the holidays which is always a good time. I’m excited to continue sharing my journey with those who love and appreciate what I create, and I’m grateful for every person who’s been a part of Metal + Stone Goods so far.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

This is a tough one! But if I had to choose three qualities that have been most impactful in my small business journey, I’d say dedication, perseverance, and adaptability.

Dedication has been crucial because building a business takes consistent effort. Staying connected to my ‘why’—the passion that drives me—has kept me focused even on tough days.

Perseverance has helped me push through challenges, like slow sales seasons or balancing multiple roles. Taking things one day at a time and celebrating small wins has made all the difference.

Adaptability has allowed me to adjust to changes, whether it’s learning new skills or responding to shifts in the market. Being open to change has led to some of my best learning moments.

For those just starting out, don’t fear the challenges—they’re part of the journey. Stay dedicated, persevere through the tough times, and be willing to adapt. The victories will make it all worth it!

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been expanding my social media presence, investing more time in markets, and developing my website!

To be quite frank, I am bad at social media. I’ve never liked the pressure of posting, making reels, or keeping up with the algorithm. But this year, I really committed to improving in this area. I put in the effort to post consistently and keep things fresh, and it’s paid off—my follower count has doubled since last year, which feels like a huge win!

I also pushed myself to attend more markets this year than ever before. While I’ve tried a few markets in the past, this year I made a bigger effort, and it’s made a huge difference in reaching new people and getting my products out there.

Lastly, after years of selling through Instagram, I finally built my own website. It’s been a game-changer for receiving orders and has made my process much more efficient and streamlined.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Freedom Film Co – Gracey Leep

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our

Productivity
Perspectives on Staying Creative

We’re beyond fortunate to have built a community of some of the most creative artists,

Confidence
Kicking Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

This is the year to kick the pesky imposter syndrome to the curb and move