It started with only two in a garage in Arcata, California.
After 40 years the team has grown to nearly 50 in a 15,000 sq ft studio, still in Arcata, and still hand-making every bit of magic to help you lead your most colorful life.
Since 1981, Holly Yashi have been making quality, handcrafted artisan jewelry in their Redwood Coast design studio in Arcata, California. Their signature style of colorful and lightweight niobium metal is still what makes Holly Yashi jewelry unique and irresistible. Featuring an array of inspiring materials, including Austrian crystal pearls, Bohemian and dichroic glass, and hypo-allergenic metals, all their jewelry is crafted by hand in small, high quality batches, one piece at a time.
In 1981, recent college graduates Holly Hosterman and Paul “Yashi” Lubitz were searching for creative ways to use their degrees. Holly, who majored in studio art with an emphasis in jewelry making, and Paul, who graduated with a double degree in industrial technology and music, knew they wanted to work together. Combining their talents to lay the foundation for what would quickly become a successful jewelry business, they transformed their one-car garage into a design studio and started their lifelong career with Holly Yashi.
Holly’s first designs were hand cut animal earrings made of brass and silver. Within months they had a loyal following, and soon after Holly and Paul discovered the magic within a seemingly dull gray metal called niobium. Through an expedited oxidation process, niobium is dipped into a bath of electrically charged water which turns the metal into hues of rich, permanent color. The beautiful result is a look that has become the signature style of Holly Yashi for the last forty years.
