When it comes to crafts, Samantha Thurman is a Swiss army knife.
Known for his hyper-fixation on hobbies, Thurman originally started as an Etsy business called Alpacas Some Wine.
“That name didn’t make any sense at all,” Thurman said at her jewelry studio in downtown Corpus Christi. “At the time I was doing jewelry, wood burning, decals and stickers. A woman told me to focus on my jewelry – she said I was really good at it – so I followed the advice and here I am.”
Thurman rebranded as Lavender + Lee, a local jewelry company located in Wildflowers in the Water Street Market. In addition to her classic line of minimalism and elegance, Thurman specializes in permanent forever jewelry – the latest trend to take over social media.
While scrolling through TikTok, Thurman saw a user making jewelry in New York.
“I hadn’t heard anything like that here, and I was already making jewelry, so I knew I had to bring it here,” Thurman said.
What is permanent forever jewelry?
The trending jewelry is bracelets, anklets, chains and rings that are welded to your body without a clasp. The only way to remove it is to cut it off.
Thurman said when she brought the trend to the Coastal Bend, that was all she did for six months.
She said she believes the jewelry is popular with her clientele because of its uniqueness.
“It’s a signature piece; it’s personal,” Thurman said. “For me, when I go jewelry shopping somewhere, I try to find a piece that speaks to me. I try to encompass that feeling. I help people find that essence when they look at my work here. I want them to feel confident and I feel represented with my jewelry.”
Finding her talent through restlessness
Thurman and her fiancé moved to Corpus Christi from New Mexico in 2015.
She fell down the stairs during her pregnancy.
“I ended up in a wheelchair and stuck at home for months,” Thurman said. “I had a newborn baby and was stuck in a wheelchair at home – so I started taking up crafts.”
When she could walk again, she visited Wildflowers at its former location on South Padre Island Drive. She went to a pop-up event and asked the owner, Terrie Moore, if she could join in.
“I told her, of course,” Moore said. “I’ve known Sam since she started with us in our old parking lot at SPID. She’s super talented and so sweet. It’s great to see how she’s grown. She’s really taken the initiative to learn her craft.”
Becoming Lavender + Lee
Still going by the name Alpacas Some Wine, a self-described silly name, Thurman has been given a new moniker to be taken seriously.
In 2019, after the birth of her daughter, she became Lavender + Lee.
“Lavender because I’m from New Mexico and my logo has the Zia sun,” Thurman said. “And Lee is my father and daughter’s middle name.”
Her business has been located in Wildflower since opening in July 2023.
“Before this, I had a studio in Made in Corpus Christi,” Thurman said. “I knew I needed a real space, though, so I tried to get my own place but failed. Then Terrie told me about this extra space and I was so lucky.”
Moore said once she leased the downtown Corpus Christi location, she contacted Thurman to offer her the upstairs space.
“I wanted Sam to be a part of Wildflowers,” Moore said. “We purposely put glass doors in her shop so people can see the process of her handiwork. And when it’s closed, people can still go up, look through the glass and see her beautiful work. Her jewelry is so unique.”
Request a signature document
Thurman learned the craft of silversmithing and goldsmithing to make her jewelry more classic.
She sources all her stones from New Mexico, which she visits at least once a year.
With requests, Thurman said people can do walk-ins or contact her directly through her Instagram at instagram.com/lavenderandlee.
“If someone wants a silver piece, it typically costs $60 to $200 for a custom fee,” Thurman said. “I try to keep it affordable and accessible to everyone. I want to be affordable, but I don’t want people to think I’m cheap and that my product isn’t worth it.”
If your jewelry were to break, Thurman says she guarantees everything and will be happy to repair it at no extra cost when it comes back to her.
Thurman also regularly offers specials.
“I try to do them at least once a quarter, but sometimes I do it for fun,” Thurman said. “I also sell tote bags for $15. If you buy one and bring it with you next time, you’ll get 15% off your purchase.”
To keep things fun on her birthday in early December, she’s holding a scavenger hunt around Corpus Christi, where Thurman hides about seven to 10 boxes in local businesses.
“I’ll put a picture of the box in the store, but just a snippet of it, and I’ll leave a hint so people can find out,” Thurman said. “People have to identify the photo, find out where it is and be the first to get it. Prices range from about $80 to $200, so it’s always a good thing.”
‘The sky is the limit’
Accident-prone, Thurman broke her wrist in March.
While at the gym, she did landmine squats. When she stood up after a squat, she felt light-headed.
“I made a misstep, fell over, hit my head, hit my back, landed on a weight and the pole bent my wrist back,” Thurman said. “After a week of recovery, I was back in the gym and back in my shop. My wrist is being worked on. I don’t let anything get in the way. I don’t have time for that.”
To improve her skills, Thurman said she is taking a course this summer in professional gem setting so she can eventually create engagement rings.
“I would like to take my jewelry to the next level with old-fashioned, traditional engagement ring styles,” Thurman said. “I will keep the line that I currently have and am known for, but I would like to have a line that is a little higher. The sky is the limit here, and I am happy to see more people coming in and their signature piece. “
RELATED COVERAGE
More: An old hotel in downtown Corpus Christi could look very different in the future. Here’s how.
More: ‘Diamond of Corpus Christi’: a historical look at downtown revitalizations
John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or X @johnpoliva.
Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi’s Lavender + Lee jewelry store offers trendy pieces
