Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Johnston.
Hi Ann, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Ann Johnston, and I am the Owner and Founder of Hyde Forty-seven, a niche jewelry company. Much of my career has been spent in the design field ranging from commercial and residential to floral and jewelry. As a born visionary, I have always been motivated by creative challenges and making a difference. My professional career started at Turner Broadcasting and The Weather Channel, but my passion for design was always calling. After fixing and flipping houses, I worked for a local developer for 10 years as their Director of Design before leaving to pursue Hyde Forty-seven full-time. Today, I am driven to design jewelry that redefines how you think of it as an accessory, and I have developed an exclusive, patent-pending feature allowing customers to interchange one jewelry piece with endless leather attachments to accessorize virtually every outfit in their closet.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Hyde Forty-seven’s greatest asset is its interchangeable feature, but also presents our biggest challenge. Our cuff bracelets necklaces have a removable leather strap that is easy to take on and off. When you see a photo of the jewelry or are wearing a piece, it’s hard to see it is customizable. We work hard to show videos and photos on our social channels, yet it is still difficult to convey. We are a local Cincinnati company with a proven track record here and working hard to break into other markets.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In addition to running Hyde Forty-seven, I am also the lead designer. I work closely with my sister-in-law, who does all my CAD work for me. She is able to take my drawings and turn them into 3D designs that our manufacturer in Providence, RI, can then cast and plates for us. It is an incredible process to watch unfold, and I couldn’t bring my vision to life without my team.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Hyde Forty-seven’s price point puts us in the demi-fine jewelry category. What that means is we fall in between costume jewelry and fine jewelry. This category has a bright outlook, especially with bracelets and men’s jewelry. This is exciting for us at Hyde Forty-seven, and we have some exciting new designs in store for 2023.
Pricing:
- $150 – $450
Contact Info:
- Website: hydefortyseven.com
- Instagram: @hydefortyseven
- Facebook: @hydefortyseven
- Linkedin: @hydefortyseven
Image Credits
Ross VanPelt
