As we celebrate Black History Month and honor the cultural contributions of Black Americans throughout our history, we want to point your attention to two incredible Black-owned small jewelry businesses that are creating unique, wearable art.
Reyna Davis, Founder of ReynaBee Clay Co, and Cathy Williams, Founder of Moon-Seed, are both members of the Nest Guild, a membership community for US and global makers, artisans, and creative entrepreneurs. Members gain access to a growing library of business development resources created by industry experts, professional mentorship, and consideration for intensive programming opportunities and sourcing contracts with leading brands and retailers. The best part? It’s free to join! Visit buildanest.org/nest-guild to learn more.
Reyna Davis
Reyna Bee Clay Company
Reyna Bee Clay Company, founded by Reyna Davis in 2022, is a small craft business specializing in polymer clay jewelry. Located in London, Kentucky, Reyna finds her passion in creating one-of-a-kind jewelry. Every piece is crafted with care, allowing others to enjoy her wearable art!
Reyna’s journey into her craft began as a creative escape to design jewelry that connects and uplifts others. She knew that when she discovered polymer clay that she had found the perfect medium to bring her art to life. Learning to work with its versatile qualities, Reyna sculpts intricate details, using textures, alcohol inks, paints, and color pigments to elevate her designs.
Her mission is to create quality handmade jewelry that promotes a real connection with others, inspires confidence, and gives back to her community! She also prides herself in focusing on creating earrings for sensitive ears, which are lightweight, lead and nickel free, and hypoallergenic so that others can enjoy earrings without compromise.
Reyna’s jewelry collection is inspired by personal stories and memories that continue on in her handmade designs. Every piece feels unique, intentional, and meaningful.
Reyna’s dedication to her craft and community has not gone unnoticed. As a Kentucky Crafted Artist and member of the Kentucky Guild, she is continually pushing the boundaries of her craft. She remains committed to expanding her designs, incorporating new techniques, and sharing her love for handmade jewelry.
Cathy Williams
Moon-Seed
Some people grow up knowing exactly what they want to do. For Cathy Williams? She tripped into it, literally.
Cathy is the founder and designer behind Moon-Seed. She started as an illustrator and graphic designer, thinking her life would be all about pixels and drawing. But somewhere between grad school deadlines and late-night creative bursts, she found herself designing jewelry. What started as a side project, just playing with materials and ideas, turned into something bigger than she ever expected. It was a happy accident, the best kind of creative detour, and now she is running Moon-Seed full-time from her home studio in Charleston, South Carolina.
Moon-Seed is more than just a jewelry brand. It is an extension of Cathy. Her Haitian-American roots, her love for bold design, and obsession with color all come together in every piece she makes. Growing up in Miami, Cathy was surrounded by vibrant culture, art, and some seriously good food. That love for warmth, energy, and a little bit of indulgence shows up in her work. Bold, colorful, and made to stand out.
Cathy designs everything herself, from the first sketch to the final piece, using a mix of digital design and hands-on craftsmanship. Her work is playful but intentional, modern but rooted in a sense of heritage. Each piece is designed to make the wearer feel confident, expressive, and maybe even a little adventurous.
Cathay says founding and running Moon-Seed has been a wild ride, but it has also been one of the greatest joys of her life. Through her business she gets to create with her hands, connect with people through her designs, and build something that reflects who she is. And the best part? This is just the beginning for her!
Rebecca van Bergen
Founder + Executive Director of Nest
Rebecca van Bergen is the Founder and Executive Director of Nest, a nonprofit supporting the responsible growth and creative engagement of the artisan and maker economy to build a world of greater gender equity and economic inclusion.