The Story Behind Star Hitched Wagon

Why Both? Why Jewelry and Apothecary?

Jewelry and apothecary? I know — it’s not the most typical combo. I didn’t set out to build a brand that did both. It just unfolded that way. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I was elbow-deep in both stones and soap. Turns out… they’re more connected than I ever expected.

So here’s the truth of how it all started… and why I still do both today.

How It All Started: Jewelry First

Jewelry came first — and it came early. I was 16, on a family camping trip, when we wandered into a craft store and I discovered friendly plastic and cameo pins. I was instantly intrigued. My mom bought me the supplies and a how-to book, and that kicked off what would become a lifelong love of creating jewelry. Those early pieces were big, decorative pins — rhinestones, feathers, tiny hats, and scarves — designed to wear on your lapel. My mom showed them to her friends, and they took off. Word spread fast in my small Montana town, and before I knew it, the local hospital gift shop placed a wholesale order — my very first.

I kept making those cameos all through high school, but when I got to college, everything opened up. I found a bead store and was instantly in love. I started making beaded jewelry, selling to friends, family, and at holiday markets. That’s also when I first dipped a toe into what would later become the apothecary line — sparked by finding a single lotion recipe. At that point, it was all just curiosity and joy. No brand. No plan. Just me, making what I loved.

The Apothecary Begins

The apothecary side of Star Hitched Wagon began with one surprising discovery: a homemade lotion recipe found on the (very slow dial-up) internet. At the time, I had no idea you could make something like that at home — I assumed all lotions came from factories and chemicals. But I followed that recipe to the letter, and to my amazement... it actually worked. It felt like magic. Or maybe like being a mad scientist. It was so different from anything I’d ever made — and I was hooked.

That one recipe opened the door to a whole new world. I started learning about ingredients, reading everything I could, and quickly got pulled into the world of scents and packaging. Lip balm came next, then melt-and-pour soaps. I wasn’t blending my own fragrances yet — just using pre-made oils — but I loved the options. There were so many to choose from, and I was all in.

In those early years, I sold my creations just at the holidays. My sister and I hosted small open houses at our mom’s house — invitation-only, relaxed, and personal. The pace was steady, and people came ready to shop. It felt good — simple but special. Over time, people started asking for products outside of the holidays, and that’s what pushed me to build a website. And with that, I needed a name.

That’s when Star Hitched Wagon was born, inspired by one of my favorite quotes by Emerson:
“Hitch your wagon to a star.”
That’s exactly what starting this business felt like.

Why I Do Both

I honestly couldn’t imagine doing just one or the other. They each serve a different purpose — for me and for the people who buy them.

The apothecary side of my business is the steady one. It’s dialed in. The recipes are perfected, and when I run low on stock, I go into the lab and simply make more. These products have become part of my daily life, and I know they’ve become part of many other people’s lives too. They’re not just seasonal or emotional purchases; they’re a part of people’s routines. The steady heartbeat.

And the apothecary helps me stay grounded when the jewelry side burns me out. Jewelry can be hard on the body. There are times I need to step away and rest my hands or refill my creative well. When that happens, I can follow the measured steps of a scrub or soak, get in the flow, and still keep moving forward without forcing the creativity.

Jewelry, though — that’s my deep creative outlet. It’s where I get to play. It’s also how I connect most deeply with others — through custom orders or pieces that speak to someone at just the right moment. Jewelry lights me up. It brings meaning and emotion in a way that’s very personal — for both of us.

There’s a rhythm to it all. The two balance each other — seasonally, creatively, and emotionally. It’s not just that I can do both. It’s that I need both.

The Thread That Ties It Together

For a long time, jewelry and apothecary felt like two separate things I offered. I loved both, but I hadn’t connected them in a way that made sense to anyone else. That shifted about seven or eight years ago when I took a brand class. One thing the instructor pointed out was that I needed to organize my offerings in a way that felt more cohesive — to tell one story, not two.

She mentioned a personality-based approach, and something clicked. Stones and fragrances both have properties. They both have stories. And I realized I could build something really meaningful around that — not just a product, but a character. A vibe. A feeling.

That was the start of what’s now become the Star Hitched Wagon core collections. I chose the stones I loved most — turquoise, amethyst, garnet — and started matching them with essential oil blends that felt aligned. I stopped using pre-made fragrance oils altogether and committed to blending my own, making each scent completely unique to Star Hitched Wagon. I knew I wanted a lavender blend, and a patchouli-tangerine blend. I started playing, testing, refining — until each blend felt like it belonged with a specific stone.

And from there, the stories came. Six full personalities to start — Hazel, Jane, Jess, Kate, Margo, and Nora — each one with a matched stone, scent, and spirit. Later came Edie and Liz. And soon, Maeve and Lily. These aren’t real people — they’re soulful archetypes that help customers feel seen and understood. They’re the thread that ties it all together — jewelry and apothecary, stone and scent, creativity and care.

How Having Both Supports Me (and the Brand)

Having both jewelry and apothecary in my business allows me to work year-round — even when burnout hits. There are seasons when the creative side of me needs a break. When that happens, I don’t force it. Instead, I shift into the rhythm of apothecary — a meditative practice that’s all about focus and precision. It’s step-by-step work that keeps me moving forward without pulling from an empty creative well. It also gives my body a rest from the more physically demanding jewelry work.

The apothecary side also provides a level of consistency and reliability. These are everyday-use products — things people come back for regularly. That steady rhythm supports the business and gives it roots.

Jewelry, on the other hand, is where I get to explore and create. It's where I try new shapes, textures, and forms. It’s where I get to make something that means something — for someone else and for me. Each side supports the other, and both are essential to the whole.

What I Want You to Feel

More than anything, I want people to feel seen. To feel connected — to themselves, to the people they love, and to the natural world around them. That’s the heartbeat of Star Hitched Wagon.

When someone chooses a piece of jewelry or opens one of my apothecary products, I hope they feel a quiet sense of “yes.” Like they’re coming home to themselves. Like they know what they like — and are giving themselves permission to lean into it. That’s the connection to self.

I want them to see themselves in the stories I tell through the girls — the core collections. Maybe they feel the calm and steadiness of Jane, or the quiet joy of Nora. Maybe they’re drawn to the wild awe of Jess, the grounded strength of Kate, or they share Edie’s love of water. It’s a small but powerful thing — to feel recognized, to say “this one feels like me.”

And I also want them to see someone they love. A friend, a sister, a daughter, a mother. Someone who is Kate or reminds them of Jane. Someone who brings to mind the gentleness of Nora, or moves through life with Jess’s spark. It’s a way to celebrate those connections — to honor the people who’ve shaped them, grounded them, or made them feel alive.

Whether it’s the grounding of a forest-inspired blend, the comfort of lavender and warm water at the end of a long day, or the way a stone feels cool and solid in your hand — these pieces are rooted in the same love of nature that’s shaped me from the start. Nature is part of the connection, too — the calm, the awe, the feeling of being restored.

That’s what I mean by connection to self, circle, and nature. A gentle way of noticing and celebrating the threads that matter most — who we are, who we love, and the world that holds us steady through it all.

And when a customer reaches out to say how much they love a fragrance, or how deeply a collection resonated, or that a custom piece means more than they can say — I light up. It reminds me that I get to do this. That I get to connect with people in this beautiful, meaningful way. And that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

Where I'm Headed

My goals today are rooted in growth — but the kind that stays true to who I am and what I’ve built. I want to continue reaching more people — people who are looking for something a little different than what they usually find in a boutique. People who feel drawn to stories, to connection, to things made with intention and soul. I know they’re out there — and I want to meet them.

I want to keep learning, too — to grow as a metalsmith and add new techniques that allow me to express more through my work. That part of the journey still excites me.

I’d love to bring Star Hitched Wagon to more shops — slowly, thoughtfully, with intention. To boutiques that value story and uniqueness the same way I do. Not fast. Not forced. Just a slow and steady path forward.

Success feels different to me now. These days, I try to focus on recognizing the growth I have had — and truly being grateful for it. This is a slow and steady path, and that’s a gift. No rushing. No getting off track. Just continuing to show up and do the work I love.

And my biggest dream? A collaborative show — at least one, maybe more — where I create a full body of work inspired by a fellow artist. Someone in a completely different lane: a painter, a potter, a sculptor, a winemaker, a craft bartender. I can see the room, I can feel the vibe — it would be pure magic. A blending of creative minds, shared energy, and the kind of meaningful connection that’s always been at the heart of Star Hitched Wagon.

Curious which Core Collection you should try first?  Take the test - click below.