Meet Galina Sowls

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Galina Sowls. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Galina below.

Galina, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

I’ve always been an optimistic person, and that’s simply part of who I am. Even when things don’t go as planned, I like to pause and look for the small positives hiding in the moment. When life feels heavy, I often head to the ocean and let the salt air and rolling waves clear my mind. A beach day always leaves me feeling lighter, more grounded, and reconnected to myself. That perspective keeps me moving forward and helps me stay creative. It’s the same energy that shows up in my jewelry. I love finding beauty in natural materials, turning ocean treasures into something meaningful, and celebrating the bright side of life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the founder and jewelry designer of Lavish Tides, a coastal-inspired jewelry brand that celebrates the ocean and the freedom it represents. Every piece is handcrafted with sustainably sourced gemstones, recycled glass, seashells, and natural materials that are gentle on the skin and kind to the planet.

What excites me most is the storytelling in each design. I love bringing seashells I find on our local beaches into my creations and searching for unique beads handmade by artisans around the world, from recycled glass crafted in Africa to beautiful handmade beads from Europe and Southeast Asia. The combination of these elements gives every piece its own story.

Right now I’m focused on creating small, limited-edition drops that keep the collection fresh all year, and I’m always dreaming up pieces that bring a bit of ocean magic into everyday life.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

First, creativity and a curious eye. Being able to spot beauty in natural materials and unexpected combinations is key. A seashell from the beach or a handmade bead from across the world can spark an idea for a whole piece.

Second, patience and attention to craft. Handmade work takes time, and it’s worth slowing down to get the details right.

And third, connection and storytelling. Jewelry is a way to share a story and connect with people.

For anyone starting out, I’d say stay curious, focus on your craft, and think about why your work matters and who it’s for. Those things will carry you far.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

This year, I read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, and it’s been amazing. The book is all about creativity and reconnecting with yourself, especially when life gets busy or overwhelming.

One of its core practices is morning pages, where you write three pages of free-flowing thoughts each morning. For me, this practice has been so transformative. It helps me clear my head, focus on what’s important, and reconnect with myself before the day begins. It’s like hitting the reset button every morning, and it’s already had a huge impact on my creativity and the way I approach both my work and my life.

Another core practice is taking artist dates. These are small, intentional outings to do something that sparks joy or curiosity. I realized I had been doing this before without even thinking about it, but reading how it supports creativity has made me much more intentional about it. Combining morning pages with these little creative adventures keeps me inspired, fuels new ideas, and makes my work feel even more alive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lavishtides.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavishtides
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavishtides

Image Credits

Orion Lynne Photography