By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
A new business at Big Creek Crossing is offering shoppers more than jewelry.
For owner Sami Randle, ThyWovenPeacock is the realization of a longtime dream and a space she hopes will eventually become a hub for creativity and community involvement.
Randle, a Hays High School graduate and University of Kansas alumna, recently opened ThyWovenPeacock, a boutique specializing in handwoven jewelry crafted from copper, silver, gold and platinum.
After earning a degree in design from KU, with studies that included interior design and jewelry design, Randle gained experience working for luxury retailers Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Opening her own store in Hays, however, had always been the goal.
“Hays is home,” Randle said. “When I came home back in 2015, I started doing shows and things like that, and just really enjoyed it. I worked for a local jewelry store for a while, but I really wanted to get back to my work.”
Inspired by nature and metals, Randle creates handwoven jewelry that includes cuffs, rings, collars and custom pieces. Customers can personalize designs by incorporating different metals or modifying existing creations to fit their preferences.
The boutique also features cultured freshwater pearls, Akoya pearls and a collection of vintage turquoise jewelry. Some of the turquoise pieces are signed by their original designers, making them especially distinctive.
Randle said the uniqueness of her store offering items that customers are unlikely to find anywhere else is part of the store's identity.
"I want people to walk in and know that whatever I have, chances are it's either going to be a little different the next time you see it, or it's not going to be here at all," she said.
Her design background is evident throughout the store itself. Randle and her fiancé transformed the space by building custom canvas walls and creating a studio environment.
"I've always loved doing installation pieces. That was part of my degree," Randle said. "My fiancé and I had the opportunity to get this location, and all of these walls were built by us."
The custom walls were designed to create an inviting atmosphere while minimizing any permanent impact on the space. Every detail, from the luxurious chairs to the music, was chosen intentionally.
"More than anything, I want people to feel comfortable when they walk in," Randle said. "The big chairs, the music, it's calming to me, and I want other people to feel calm."
While the store mainly focuses on Randle's own work, she hopes it will continue to grow into a space that showcases a variety of local artists and creative talent.
According to Randle, she has already begun reaching out to local artists and students at Fort Hays State University and would like to eventually feature sculpture, glasswork, paintings and other one-of-a-kind pieces that contribute to a boutique atmosphere.
"I'd really love to see community involvement," Randle said.
In the future, she hopes to host classes, workshops and special events that bring artists and community members together. Randle said her appreciation for community art stems in part from participating in Hays Arts Council Art Walks.
"I've always enjoyed doing the art walk with my work, but I've also enjoyed seeing everyone else's work," she said. "It's very inspirational, especially for young people who may not get to see these types of things every day."
She believes Big Creek Crossing offers an opportunity to introduce visitors to art in an unexpected setting.
"When you come to a mall, it houses all these different stores, so it's something different," Randle said. "It's something fun that people can come in and experience and maybe be inspired in some way."
When it comes to the name, Randle shared when she was growing up, she used to pick up peacock feathers off the ground with the help from her grandmother. Randle is also a huge fan of Shakespeare hence, ThyWovenPeacock.
The store had a soft opening on May 22 and is planning a grand opening on June 22. ThyWovenPeacock will be closed from Saturday through June 14 while Randle attends a special event.