Meet The Team
Betsy
She/Her
Founder, Director of Product and Design, Boss-lady
One day, I will go here: To Greece again with the people I love most.
Best thing about my job: The love and life stories that people share with me during custom consultations moves me. That I have the opportunity to bring their beautiful rich stories to life through jewelry design baffles my mind every time. That and working with such a committed, motivated, and hard working team. Pinch me, is this real?
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Swimming in the river with my husband, daughter, and dogs (or dreaming up the next project for our house 😬).
This will always be in my playlist: Starfish and Coffee by Prince.
Will
He/Him
General Manager
One day, I will go here: A Michelin starred restaurant... Yummmmmmmm.
Best thing about my job: Every day is Bring Your Wife and Dogs to Work day.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Working on our house; spending time with our daughter, friends, and family; listening to music; swimming in the great outdoors.
This will always be in my playlist: Oh man. Hardest question ever. Ok, there's a TON so I will request a judgment reprieve on this answer and just you know that it's only the tip of the iceberg: Whitney Houston's Star Spangled Banner. There is no more perfect rendition. Promise.
Elya
She/Her
Customer Advocate
One day, I will go here: I would love to travel to Japan or Korea.
Best thing about my job: I love getting to work with my awesome teammates and also seeing the workshop in action.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: I'm either making beaded earrings, drawing or watching cute animal videos on YouTube.
This will always be in my playlist: I’m loving everything by XG.
Carly
She/Her
Customer Advocate
One day, I will go here: Back to Portugal! There are so many places I’d love to visit, but Portugal holds a special place in my heart.
Best thing about my job: The amazing people I work with! Everyone here is so kind and wonderful.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: In the woods with my partner and our dog, spending time with friends who are like family, cooking, crafting, dreaming about travel.
This will always be in my playlist: The Beatles and Paul Simon will always have a place on my playlist!
Michaela
she/her
Customer Advocate
One day, I will go here: (back to) Ireland.
Best thing about my job: Getting to spend endless time discussing and helping folks find jewelry they love!
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Relaxing and reading.
This will always be in my playlist: Grateful Dead.
Barrie
She/Her
Design Manager
One day, I will go here: Japan!
Best thing about my job: Working with incredibly talented humans and learning from them. Also, working with clients who share their stories of love and connection with us. Those stories are powerful and I don't take them for granted.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Playing with my dog and eating food with my human... and probably cycling through one of the latest hit shows on Netflix or Hulu.
This will always be in my playlist: Disney never gets old for me. 😉
Ali
She/Her
Shop Manager
One day, I will go here: Norway.
Best thing about my job: Meeting new people from all over the world.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Adventuring with my friends near and far or having a cozy dinner party and playing games.
This will always be in my playlist: Paul Simon (specifically Graceland).
Brie
She/Her
Maker
One day, I will go here: A trip through Northern Italy and then up to Switzerland. I want to see Lake Como, and experience an alpine cattle descent.
Best thing about my job: Being around people who are as passionate about making jewelry as I am. I love discussing gems, tools, and metals everyday.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Discovering a new coffee shop, knitting, taking my pups to a dog park, or watching college football (Go Ducks)!
This will always be in my playlist: Hands down, it's Taylor Swift.
Luis
he/him
Design Technician
One day, I will go here: Japan.
Best thing about my job: Getting to problem solve and learn new things every day!
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Making something with glass, metal, plaster, or pen.
This will always be in my playlist: Can't Tell Me Nothing by Kanye West.
RC
They/them
maker
One day, I will go here: For some reason I dream of staying in a small house in the Scottish Highlands.
Best thing about my job: Petting dogs and working with my hands!
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Playing video games, knitting, crocheting, or weaving.
This will always be in my playlist: I like to toss a bit of yodeling in to keep things silly.
Barrie Jo
She/Her
Maker
One day, I will go here: England, to see the setting of some of my favorite novels.
Best thing about my job: All the tools... and dogs.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Reading, cooking, hanging out with my two dogs and making more jewelry.
This will always be in my playlist: 90s grunge, and any pop songs that are fun to dance to.
Emily
She/Her
Customer Advocate
One day, I will go here: Cameroon to volunteer with Ape Action Africa.
Best thing about my job: Feeling the love, support and loyalty of the customers and working with an energetic, creative team.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Getting out with my 2 rescue dogs Atlas and Roo, exploring the city or hangin' with family.
This will always be in my playlist: This is like asking me what my favorite B&I piece is- impossible! I'll always dance/sing/rap to 90s Hiphop.
Adrian
He/Him
Maker
One day, I will go here: The Louvre.
Best thing about my job: Getting to work with metal everyday.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Making jewelry or playing D&D.
This will always be in my playlist: Gloria by The Kinks.
Heidi
She/Her
Assistant Production Manager
One day, I will go here: Vatican City.
Best thing about my job: Working with beautiful people making beautiful things!
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Generally lazing about with my cat, tending to plants, hiking a trail, seeking out bodies of water, and finding adventure.
This will always be in my playlist: I try to find a song by The Cure for every playlist I make.
Suzy
She/Her
Director of Retail & Buying
One day, I will go here: Sardinia and Corsica.
Best thing about my job: Vicariously shopping with awesome customers.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Depending on the season: backpacking, mountain biking, or snowboarding.
This will always be in my playlist: A perfect mix of new wave and nineties hip hop.
Kelly
They/Them
Shop Manager
One day, I will go here: The Catacombs! And basically all of Europe.
Best thing about my job: Working with a wonderful group of creative and authentically cool people! Helping sweet customers from the neighborhood and beyond find beautiful things. And dog-spotting of course!
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Drawing, making jewelry, adding to my vinyl & vintage toy collections, or listening to music with my partner and our 2 cats.
This will always be in my playlist: Beach House and The B-52’s.
Lane
He/They
Maker
One day, I will go here: I will go to the Basque Country in Spain to see the places that my family moved from and steep myself in that part of my cultural heritage.
Best thing about my job: Having the opportunity to make beautiful things with beautiful people. It’s impossible to pick between the work itself and the people I get to do it with.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Sun bathing at Mt. Tabor, reading tarot, making my own beautiful things, or spending time with someone I love.
This will always be in my playlist: Any sad Lana song. Thinking of The Grants specifically right now.
Vega
They/he
Maker
One day, I will go here: Japan for an extended festival tour!
Best thing about my job: Learning new techniques for jewelry making as new Betsy & Iya designs are released.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Messing around in my garden, tiring out my dog, out in nature searching for foraged foods and rockhounding, or cooking something delicious.
This will always be in my playlist: The weekly new episode of The Poor Prole's Almanac.
Ella
she/her
Production Manager
One day, I will go here: Uluru, in Australia.
Best thing about my job: The best thing about my job is learning from my peers. B&I facilitates an inclusive, thoughtful and efficient learning/working environment. It's incredibly rad here.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Designing & creating art/jewelry with my wife for our company, 'Om & Oi!' I also love playing my banjolele & practicing meditation.
This will always be in my playlist: Dunes by Alabama Shakes.
Jami
she/her
Maker
One day, I will go here: Bali for a meditation retreat.
Best thing about my job: The people! Authentic and kind. Always working to create a space where all feel valued and appreciated.
When I’m not working, I’m probably doing this: Traveling, walking my dog and spending time with my family.
This will always be in my playlist: It really just depends on my mood! Anything Pearl Jam, Beyoncé, John Legend, Snoop Dog...
Gingham
Senior Nap Coordinator
Hometown: Portland, OR
What is the longest word you know? Ginghammacphearsoncervarich. That's my actual full name, but you can call me Gingham, Ging, Gingy, Ponk, Ponk-a-doodle, Lady, or Lady Ham for short.
Maurice
Chief Morale Officer
Hometown: California
If you could be in the movie of your choice, what movie would you choose and what character would you play? Wow, that's a great question. Probably Good Will Hunting. Not just because I got my Doctorate in Mathematics, but because whenever my dad (Will) leaves I'm always trying to figure out where he went. Also, Robin Williams and Matt Damon, what could be a better duo?