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Mary Rowland Lewis

Mary Rowland's love for jewelry creation began at an early age, and in 2013 she decided to share her passion with others through Sabal Designs. All of her pieces are handmade in her Savannah home or in Dallas, where she attends school at Southern Methodist University. She aims to provide her customers with one-of-a-kind jewelry that reflects the allure and color of the Georgia coast.

Posted in: Health & Beauty
Tags: Mary Rowland Lewis, Sabal Designs, Dallas Jewelry, SMU Entrepreneur

My dad jokes that my spirit animal is, of all things, a crow; sparkly, shiny, or colorful objects— i.e. jewelry— tend to catch my eye. But it’s not just the glittering stones that turn my head, it’s the design, craftsmanship, and creativity that I notice as well. I’ve been passionate about all things jewelry and fashion for as long as I remember, and four years ago I decided to turn that passion into something tangible through Sabal Designs.

I created Sabal, my own jewelry company, when I was still in high school. I didn’t, however, start out with the intention of building a business; I got the idea when several friends commented on a set of beaded bracelets I’d made for myself. They asked where I’d bought them and were impressed when I told them I’d strung them together just hours before at my kitchen table.

After that, Sabal was born, but it started out with the name MRL Designs. I hand-stamped my initials (MRL, if you hadn’t already guessed) on a gold tag that was attached to every bracelet. I advertised on my own Instagram and Facebook pages, and soon orders started flooding in from friends and family around my hometown of Savannah, Georgia.

I soon expanded my bracelet business to include necklaces and custom orders, and eventually, I renamed to Sabal Designs. The new name came from Savannah’s native flora: the sabal palm. Considering my designs are inspired by and reflect the natural beauty and color of the Low Country, it seemed more than fitting.

As Sabal continued to grow, I designed my own website and Instagram specifically for my jewelry. Business was booming, and as I began my freshman year at SMU, my customer base expanded into Texas. It became a great conversation starter, and if there’s one thing you need when trying to make new friends, it’s something to talk about; I quickly found that cute jewelry is usually great common ground between two SMU girls.

When I wasn’t studying or socializing, I was making jewelry. Actually, sometimes I would juggle all three at once (think: sitting on the sofa with my roommates, reading over my advertising notes, while simultaneously beading a necklace). Come summer, I’d have more time to focus on my jewelry. I sold in a pop-up store in Savannah from June to August, and in just a few short weeks, became one of the Broughton Exchange’s best-selling designers.

Even when I’m busy, I’m always on the lookout for new inspiration. The jewelry someone is wearing is usually the first thing I notice about their outfit, and whenever I’m bored in traffic, I’m thinking about the next necklace I want to make when I get home. My mom sends me pictures of jewelry that’s similar to my style- which I’d describe as natural, yet unique and eye-catching. I strive to make quality, all-around great pieces, whether that’s a wardrobe staple you wear three times a week or a statement necklace that really makes that one outfit pop.

There’s nothing I love more than seeing someone, whether it’s a friend or total stranger, wearing my jewelry, or working with a client to design the perfect custom piece; my hope is that people enjoy wearing Sabal as much as I enjoy creating it. It’s truly become a passion of mine, and it’s so much more than a way to substantiate my online shopping addiction; it’s my creative outlet, my stress reliever, and my small way of making the world a brighter, more colorful place.

Over the years, Sabal has provided me with some incredible opportunities (as well as some challenges), from participating in fundraisers to catering to international clients, and I wouldn’t trade any of these experiences for the world. I’ve loved teaching myself the ins and outs of running my own business, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Sabal Designs.

Contact info:

www.sabaldesigns.com

sabal_designs (Instagram)

maryrowland@sabaldesigns.com