In my opinion, Mariele Williams just so happens to have the cutest studio in the cutest little cottage house with the cutest Golden Doodle (Harold) in the whole of the breathtaking mountain foothills of Boulder, Colorado. Mariele is a jeweler and ceramist who designs and makes strikingly beautiful pieces under the the marque, Young In the Mountains. Spending a little time with sweet Mariele in her home and studio made me quickly realise just how driven she is to create work that is truly inspired and unique. Mariele loves what she does - and her work reflects that. It is geometrically organic, simply detailed and all heartily handmade. And then there is Harold the dog. Clearly a very important part of Mariele's studio life and mountain nestled days. Harold instantly stole my heart as he trotted around the house posing for photos and showing off his workshop skills... I could have easily taken him home, along with one of each of Mariele's pieces. I did manage to leave with two small mountain vortex ceramic dishes which I will be treasuring forever and happily parading in my home. The best reminder of that cute, inspired, fluffy and mountainous filled day.

What projects are you currently working on?

Currently I am working on my ceramic wholesale collection. I have been developing a collection of work that I feel comfortable reproducing and that will look well together because I want people to collect these dishes over the next few years. I have been working on my line sheets and just recently partnered with a show room in NYC. I am looking forward to how that will affect my business. I also just returned from a lapidary retreat in New Mexico last month. I am so excited to start cutting stones and to be able to offer my jewelry designs in stones like turquoise and labradorite!

Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?

My creative inspiration is almost like a well that is always there. Maybe I’m lucky. I have never had any issues with being blocked creatively. Having a healthy lifestyle supports making beautiful art. I am very sensitive to my surroundings, so I make sure I have a clean house and a beautiful studio to work in. With a few hikes a week to exercise my body and my mind, everything flows pretty smoothly when I finally sit down in my studio to create. I spend a lot of time thinking about what I want to make before I sit down.

Do you have a favourite ceramicist and or jeweler?

My favorite jeweler is Digby & Iona and my favorite ceramicist is a much harder question to answer... sorry.

Do you listen to music while you work? If so, would you be so kind to share some of your favourite artists?

I listen to lots of Podcasts in my studio. I listen to Democracy Now every morning along with NPR. I really enjoy the podcasts Freakenomics and the Moth. When I listen to music I like to use Pandora to to create playlists. Some of my favorite Pandora stations are Wendy Rene for soul, The Growlers, Devendra Banhart

Do you have a morning ritual?

When it’s cooler like in Fall and Winter I start every day with a big mug of Earl Grey tea. I like to enjoy my tea and look at Pintrest. I have lots of inspiration boards and I find that starting my day being visually overloaded makes for an inspired and productive day.

What's your idea of a perfect Friday night?

A perfect Friday night would be a hike up in the mountains after the weather cools down. Maybe come home and open a bottle of wine and make dinner at home.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I really want to go to Greece! Something about the light in all the photos looks so beautiful and soothing. All the blue and white just looks amazing. I am also planning my next big camping trip from San Francisco up the coast all the way to the Olympic Peninsula.

Best piece of advice you've ever given or been given?

My dad always told me to be my own boss. I always knew I would be and i am so happy that its working!

What's for dinner?

Dinner tonight is going to be in downtown Boulder somewhere. Date night with my BF! I am hoping for Italian.

The best part about being a creative?

That’s a big question. I am so grateful that I am creative person. I have spent a lot of time nurturing that part of me. I love being able to make myself anything I would possibly need or imagine. The worst part?

That stress when the bills are due. Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down. There is no quitting when you are truly a visionary artist. I am happy I never gave up, though there have been times, certainly around the 1st of the month that I would question this path.

Day or night? Day Old or new? Old City or Country? Country Coffee or Tea? Tea

Thoughts for the future:

I am moving back to San Francisco at the end of the month and I am very excited to reconnect with all my friends. I am planning on creating a big new studio!