Today we’d like to introduce you to Aja Martin.
Hi Aja, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Local to Utah, I went to West High School downtown. I began taking Industrial Design in school and with that, I learned jewelry making. Our teacher was fantastic. He taught us all about lost wax casting, soldering, and metalsmithing. After my first year as a student, I decided to continue the rest of my high school as an aid for that class. I was in love.
I attended the University of Utah as an early graduate and got a double bachelor’s in Environmental Sustainability and Urban Ecology. During this time, I was not making jewelry. I started dating my boyfriend in my last year of college. He was a welder. One night, he was out in his shop tinkering around with an old CJ6. I noticed he had an acetylene torch and a box of scrap copper. I pulled out an old 4” copper pipe and started cutting out bracelets from it. Later, I posted them on Instagram and it took off from there. It’s been a journey and I’m definitely still on it.
I began calling my business Sage Hen, an old slang term in the American West that meant woman. I specialize in copper and brass. Yes, not your typical “fine jewelry” metals, but the unique color and patina are absolutely beautiful. I wanted to make jewelry that is inspired by the mountains, that is affordable, handmade, and different.
As an undergraduate in sustainability, I wanted to do more than sell jewelry. I wanted to give back to the environment. For the past three years, I have and continue to donate 10% of total sales to local non-profits that focus on conservation, education, and/or preservation of the outdoors. Last year, we donated just under $3,000.00 to the environment.
I am about six years in five of those years, I had a full-time job on top of making jewelry. I finally took the leap last year to begin part-time in my small jewelry business. Currently, I reside outside of Park City, UT in a small mountain community with my boyfriend, dog, and hens. Last year, I built myself a metal shop on our property and continue to sell online.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Being your own boss has its perks for sure, but often it’s quite stressful. I tend to work close to 60 hours per week instead of your typical 40. You are in charge of everything from finances, to marketing, to making, selling, and not to mention, customer service. It was a huge decision to go part-time into my craft. I was terrified. But I dove in and love it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Sage Hen jewelry is more than jewelry. It’s jewelry that is inspired by the mountains, made in the mountain, for the Sage Hen. The Sage Hen is no ordinary woman, she is gentle, yet strong. Caretaker of the land. She is a navigator. Her beauty, a reflection of the west.
Reclaimed and cast jewelry inspired by Utah itself. A handmade gift to keep your soul-deep in the wilderness always. Handcrafted from copper and brass, these fixings will be your everyday wear, sustaining your authentic, rugged lifestyle. Showing the world a little reflection into your untamed spirit. So that you can take the mountains wherever you wander.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Sure, I was lucky. I found a group of local artist ladies that are my business partners and close friends. Together, we get together to meet and chat about business. How to do taxes, run it more efficiently, Instagram alternatives. I am extremely lucky to know them. They have been such an influential part of my journey.
Contact Info:
- Email: Sagehenjewelry@gmail.com
- Website: Sagehenjewelry.com
- Instagram:@ —sagehen—
Image Credits
Aja Martin
