We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Pyper & Jarrod Hugos & Eastman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Pyper & Jarrod below.
Pyper & Jarrod, 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.
We’ve been living the creative life since 2004, and keeping our creativity alive is both a way of life and a daily practice. There are times when the inspiration doesn’t flow—when we feel tired, burned out, or artistically blocked—but we counter that by simply getting into the studio and doing the work. Often, putting our hands in motion is enough to get things rolling.
We intentionally leave piles of scrap metal on a table—different shapes, sizes, and colors—to play with. It’s a fun, hands-on way to spark ideas and discover unexpected designs. Collaborating as a team also keeps us inspired. If one of us gets stuck, we’ll share ideas or even pass a piece to the other to finish. Sometimes, a design just needs time to “marinate” before the vision becomes clear.
When we need a break, we honor that by stepping away to recharge. Resting our bodies and minds is just as important as the time we spend creating. This balance is what keeps our passion alive and thriving.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
From the beginning of our creative venture it was important to us to find our own voice and an innovative material in which to create jewelry. That inspiration was found in the forgotten junkyards that dot our country’s landscapes and back roads. We create jewelry made using vintage automotive steel that we personally salvage ourselves. We intentionally leave the original car paint intact and unaltered. Our work is often simple in form with a direct intent to accentuate the beauty within the salvaged car metal. The form, texture and colors of the old automotive steel continually inspire us to find new ways in which to express its beauty. Using cold form fabrication and sheet metal production techniques our work leans towards a refined, retro design aesthetic. We aspire to continually explore the expression of the material with a connection to the past as well as the future; referencing an important cultural piece of American history and an essential environmental awareness.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three skills or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful for us are taking a business class when we first started, being adaptable and pivoting when changes come our way, and being willing to take risks and put ourselves out there. Each of these has played a key role in shaping the path of Joyride Jewelry and helping us grow both as artists and entrepreneurs.
Owning your own business is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. It can be all-consuming at times, requiring not just passion but also resilience and dedication. You really have to love what you do and be willing to give it everything you’ve got to succeed.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
That’s a tough one. As small business owners, you have to wear many hats unless you have the resources and support to delegate tasks. In our early days, a teacher from our business class advised us to focus on what we were good at and let others handle the rest. There’s a lot of value in that—it allows you to maximize your strengths—but finding the right people to support you can be a challenge.
At the same time, running a business requires constant evolution. Things will inevitably change, and being able to pivot often means learning new skills. While it can be frustrating and time-consuming, investing in areas where you’re less strong helps you grow both personally and professionally. Striking a balance is key: lean into your strengths when possible, but don’t shy away from challenges that can make you better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://joyridejewelry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyridejewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyridejewelry
Image Credits
Jarrod Eastman
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