We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angela Lowell-Schade. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angela below.
Hi Angela , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
When I really stop to think about it, my purpose has always had the quiet persistence of a heartbeat, constant, steady, and sometimes surprising. I made & sold my first line of jewelry at the age of twelve and felt something shift. There was a certain magic in creating something with my hands that someone else could treasure.
Years later, after studying jewelry and metalsmithing in the UK, I returned home and founded Something Blue in 1994. My work eventually found its way into places like Harrods and InStyle, but the truest fulfillment always came from the personal, from the stories shared by people who find meaning in the pieces I make.
My purpose has always been to create small, lasting symbols of love, connection, and memory, reminders that the simplest things often shine the brightest.
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?
These days, you’ll usually find me in my sunny California studio, coffee in hand, a true crime podcast in the background, and a little silver dust in my hair, working on new designs for Studio Blue. It’s been 30+ years (how?!) since I started this adventure, and I still get that same thrill when a new idea finally comes together at the bench.
Studio Blue is all about jewelry that feels personal and timeless, pieces you actually live in. I love that balance between minimal and meaningful: simple shapes, delicate lines, a hint of sentiment. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with pearls and gemstones again, mixing textures, metals, and soft colors in ways that feel fresh but still classic.
I still make everything by hand, one piece at a time. There’s no mass production, just a lot of care, craftsmanship, and definitely a few muttered words when the jump rings misbehave. After all these years, what keeps me excited is knowing that something I made in my little studio can become part of someone’s story. That’s the motivation for me.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
If I had to narrow it down, I’d say curiosity, persistence, and taste, though not always in equal doses, and definitely not always gracefully balanced.
Curiosity is where it all begins. That urge to take things apart, to wonder how they’re made, and to try making something better. I’ve never been able to resist learning a new technique or experimenting with materials. My best advice? Stay endlessly curious, inspiration hides in the most ordinary places if you’re paying attention.
Persistence is the less glamorous hero of the story. Jewelry-making looks dreamy from the outside, but in reality it’s a lot of trial, error, and occasionally melted metal. The only real difference between success and burnout is that you just keep showing up. Even when the creative spark flickers, you keep the torch on.
And then there’s taste, your inner compass. I learned long ago that making pieces simply because they’re trendy or will “sell” isn’t inspired and won’t create real success. Good taste evolves over time, and it’s deeply personal. Pay attention to what moves you, what feels right in your gut, and trust that your point of view is enough.
If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be: don’t rush it. Every misstep, every ugly prototype, every “what was I thinking?” phase, it’s all part of finding your voice.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Oh, I am no stranger to overwhelm, especially around the holidays when Studio Blue turns into a very sparkly and chaotic tornado of orders, packaging, and caffeine. What keeps me sane are lists, schedules, and priorities, in that order. When things start to pile up, I make one big master list, then break it down by what’s most important or will have the biggest impact. There’s something so satisfying about crossing things off (even the small stuff like “make coffee”, it counts).
I’ve also learned that playing to your strengths, and getting help where you need it, is everything. As a small business owner, I’ve worn every hat imaginable: designer, photographer, customer service rep, shipper, accountant… you name it. In the early years, it was just me, a shoestring budget, and a lot of late nights.
Now, I have an amazing VA who handles all my social media and email campaigns, things that used to constantly fall through the cracks. It was scary at first to invest in help, but if it’s quality help, it should pay for itself (and then some). It turns out, you don’t earn extra points for doing it all yourself. Once I learned to delegate, everything felt lighter, and I could finally get back to doing the part I love most: creating.
Contact Info:
- Website: ShopStudioBlue.com
- Instagram: @somethingbluestudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShopStudioBlue
- Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shopstudioblue
Image Credits
For my headshot image: Robin Foley Portraits, All other images: Angela Lowell-Schade, Model: Audrey Schenk
