Meet Michaelyn Saechao

 

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

Michaelyn, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

Fostering creativity is so so so vital in this line of work. I have so much to say about it, haha! I’ve noticed when, I as a person am growing or evolving, my art is a representative of that. In those moments I start to crave new designs or to try new things I haven’t before. I challenge myself and take a few days to learn something new. I give myself those moments to make mistakes now and then feel more comfortable the next time I’m challenged.

Creativity also goes hand in hand with inspiration. I feel like I’m always looking and sourcing for inspiration. Lately I’ve really challenged myself to find inspiration outside of social media. I’m finding great new magazines and referencing old books. I also find inspiration when I get myself into nature and disconnect. I love looking at interior design and always make sure to stop at the chain section in Home Depot for larger than life chain inspo.

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?

Sometimes It’s still so surreal that I get to call what I do “work”! I do wish I knew what I know now, and I would have gone to school for a completely different program! My story really starts there. I graduated with a Fashion Merchandising and Marketing degree with the dreams to work within that industry. After graduation my partner and I moved to Southern California to pursue our goals!

Looking back, jewelry was always a constant for me. I had always layered and stacked bracelets for as long as could remember, back to middle school even. I wore many many rings that turned my fingers green, and had a “neck mess” before the term even existed. I really enjoyed finding indie brands and waiting in line for hours at Pop-Ups or Sample Sales in downtown Los Angeles to find my next favorite piece that really spoke to me. As time went on, I started to realize that jewelry had a bigger story to tell and my dreams shifted.

I decided to get some leather supplies and try to make pieces that I wanted but hadn’t seen around. My husband quickly could tell I wanted to do more and supported me in buying all the silver, and metalsmithing tools to really be able to create the style of jewelry that called to me. In 2014, Hi West Silver was born out of our small garage in the OC. I was completely self taught with the help of Youtube and major drive. I remember melting hundreds of dollars in silver trying to get the hang of it, it was not easy.

In the last ten years I have honed in my skills. I create heavy weight, heirloom pieces that will last multiple lifetimes. I started with a big big passion for Turquoise, but have since expanded into high grade Australian Opals. My style reflects statement pieces that are adorned with leaf motifs, flowers, barbed wire, thick chains and rope that all are meant to be layered and stacked with an emphasis on mixed metals!

Just recently I introduced our first solid gold pieces! I was so excited for this milestone. And in 2025 we will be introducing a complete collection of solid gold jewelry under our new line Sae Oro Fine. Here you’ll see gemstones such as Sapphires and Emeralds. As of now, I am steadfast and focused on expanding my skills and artistic career in the many facets of jewelry design.

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?

1 – Determination. Like I said before, I am completely self taught. It is possible to start with no previous skills. But you will have to be okay with failing, you will have to practice, and you will have to push yourself out of your comfort zone! If you feel stuck, utilize your sources and community! Whether that’s through FaceBook groups, your local rock and gem society, finding like minded individuals through social media. It’s always great to bounce ideas off one another, to have support in your journey and keep going. Anytime I need guidance regarding a business decision, or help achieving a skill, I have a community I can connect with that will lead me to a productive result.

2 – Business Management. Before taking my business full time, I worked Retail Management for over a decade. I learned so many different skills like communication, time management, leadership skills here and that has helped me run the business sides of things. If you ever have the opportunity to work retail in an industry you enjoy or are passion about, I definitely recommend. To be able to be express your creativity in a sales format, you will need to be able to manage your business effectively.

3 – PROBLEM SOLVING. Holy moly. I am literally problem solving everyday, all day. Be open to trying things a different way if what you’re doing isn’t working. Keep going until it feels right! Be okay with scrapping and starting fresh too. Mistakes can always be melted down and reused!

Can I add a fourth?

4 – Detail Oriented.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

Yesss! I am screaming from the top of my lungs about “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Mark Rubin. I have made so many notes in this book and I reference it frequently. Mark talks about genres, and how each one comes with a distinct variation of rules. As soon as you use a label to describe what you’re working on, theres a temptation to conform to its play book. “The templates of the past can be an inspiration in the beginning phases, but it’s helpful to think beyond what’s been done before. The world isn’t waiting for more of the same.”

Something else Mark talks about in great detail is patience. Something I am not good at, haha. “Patience is developed much like awareness. Through an acceptance of what is. Impatience is an argument with reality.” The need for patience is so important. Take your time, choose one thing that you want to get better at every time and do it over and over until you feel you have perfected it. Pick something new and repeat the process.

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