Heart Be Your Guide × Dallas Maynard
I’ve been a fan of Dallas Maynard’s work since my days working at the now-closed Asrai Garden, where I first discovered her jewelry. Her pieces have always felt a little magical to me—whimsical and beautiful, but also timeless. The kind of jewelry you wear for years, collect along the way, and eventually pass down to someone you love.
I recently had the honor of spending an afternoon with Dallas at her Chicago studio, sharing lunch with her and Adina and getting a closer look at the beautiful gems and pieces that fill her world. Dallas’s warmth is immediate, as is her infectious desire to create beautiful things. You can feel how much curiosity, care, and joy she brings to her work.
Her jewelry is more than something beautiful to wear. These are pieces made to hold stories and memories—to become keepsakes for you and, one day, your family.
I’m so happy to introduce you to Dallas and share a little more about the heart, craft, and wonderfully imaginative person behind her work.
1. Let’s start with you.
Before we talk about jewelry, who is Dallas outside of what you create? What do you love, collect, notice, or find yourself endlessly curious about?
There really isn’t a big difference between who I am in the studio and who I am outside of it. I carry that essence with me all the time. I’m a mom, I love all things metaphysical, witchy and woo. Crystals, reiki, tarot, nature, folklore, all things magical. And they really do inspire the things I create.
2. The Beginning
You discovered metalsmithing when you were young. Do you remember the first time you made something and thought, Oh, this is different—this is mine?
Yes! I was 15 and I started teaching myself how to carve and sculpt wax. I sculpted these little, tiny fairy figurines, and I just thought it was so cool to make something with your hands and then turn it into jewelry. My first piece in gold was a tiny armadillo earring.
3. Learning the Craft
You studied gemology and apprenticed under a master goldsmith. What from those early years still shapes the way you work today?
The relationships are everything. I still talk to all of my mentors today. I’ll never take for granted the folks who took a chance on me and took the time to nourish my curiosity.
4. Choosing the Stones
You’re drawn to unusual diamonds and colored stones. When you’re looking at gemstones, what makes one stop you in your tracks?
Cool inclusions and color striations! Bicolor, parti color, anything that more traditional jewelers might scoff at, I LOVE.
5. The Creative Process
When creating a one-of-a-kind piece, do you begin with the stone and let it tell you what it wants to become, or does the idea come first?
It depends on the project. Sometimes I pick the stone first and go from there. And sometimes, I have an idea that I need to bring to reality and find the stones that fit that inspiration. I intuitively go where the journey takes me.
6. Finding Beauty in the Unexpected
Your work embraces asymmetry, unusual shapes, and unexpected combinations. Have you always been drawn to things that are a little outside the expected?
Absolutely. I love to honor the uniqueness in things. I love bringing all different ideas to life that others might skip over.
7. Inspiration
Nature, mythology, bygone eras, and a little magic all find their way into your work. What’s inspiring you lately?
Goddesses and deities have been on my mind lately. Our last charm collection was inspired by a strong feeling of rebellion – celebrating whimsy as strength and resilience. Diving into the folklore of feminine resistance.
8. The Stories We Carry
Jewelry often becomes part of the biggest moments in our lives. Has a customer’s story ever stayed with you or changed the way you thought about a piece you were making?
Every day. It’s an honor to hold space for people, oh my god I could cry. Every day I’m shaped by people’s stories they share with me, and it really affects me. It’s a privilege.
9. Giving Heirlooms Another Life
You also rework family jewelry. What does it feel like to be trusted with something that carries generations of someone else’s history and give it another life?
The biggest honor. It’s not something I take lightly. I do little ceremonies with the stones before using them in a new piece to imbue it with new intention and prepare it for its new journey.
10. The One That Got Away
Is there a piece you’ve made over the years that you still think about—or secretly wish you’d kept for yourself?
There was a custom ring I carved out of wax that featured a Moyo sapphire. The Moyo mines are women-owned and extremely strict about their sourcing. And I was so inspired by the stone and created a hand to hold it. It was very special.
11. The Details That Matter
What’s a detail in your work that most people might never notice, but means everything to you?
I love adding little hidden stones inside! A special detail just for the wearer.
12. Looking Back
You’ve been building Dallas Maynard Jewelry since 2012. What would the Dallas who first started the business be most surprised by about your life today?
OMG I would be so proud of myself. It’s almost too spicy to think about! Little baby Dallas couldn’t even imagine this life.
13. What You’re Protecting
As Dallas Maynard Jewelry continues to evolve, what’s one thing you’re determined to never lose?
The relationships I build with clients and continuing to nourish my studio as a safe space for everyone’s stories and journeys. I’m here for everyone bringing their most authentic selves to their projects and creating pieces that truly reflect themselves.
14. The Future Heirloom
Your pieces are made to last for generations. Do you ever imagine where something you’re making at your bench today might be 50 years from now?
All the time. I was raised and adopted by my grandparents, so I saw the journey my grandmother’s jewelry went on. And through the eyes of my own children, I imagine where it could go in the future. With clients, I’m always thinking about where things have been, where they are, and where they’re going next.
15. Around the Community
Heart Be Your Guide is all about helping people discover and support wonderful small businesses. What are one or two small businesses, makers, artists, or places you love that you think more people should know about?
Bottles & Bouquets 🙂
Spoken Cafe
Cloud & Bunny
Rhythm Roots Dance
House of Hyena Spirits