Noosa jewellery store Holly Ryan to open in August

After failing to open a jewellery store twice during the pandemic, a Sunshine Coast entrepreneur is finally fulfilling her “dream” catering to budget and high-end purchasers.

After failing to open a store twice during the pandemic, a Sunshine Coast artist and entrepreneur is finally opening a jewellery store in Noosa next month.

Holly Ryan, 33, is the founder and director of jewellery label Holly Ryan, founded in 2010, specialising in handmade, ethically-sourced rings, earrings and necklaces. She also makes and sells hand-carved sculptures.

“Third time’s a charm,” Ms Ryan said.

The keen artist said her upcoming store at 4/2 Project Ave, Noosaville will open at the end of next month with a “full range” of items on the shelves, from products as low as $30 to a few rings worth $10,000.

Before finding this store, Ms Ryan said she tried to open a retail store in Sydney in 2020 and last year but couldn’t because of Covid-19 restrictions and the discovery of black mould while fitting out the store she had planned to rent.

She said she lost $150,000 on furnishing the store and had to “evacuate” her team.

Ms Ryan, born on the Coast, said she returned home last year and “completely fell back in love with where I am from”.

When an opportunity arose for her to open a store in Noosa, Ms Ryan snatched it, saying it allowed her to fulfil a lifelong “dream” of opening a store, creating pieces of art and collaborating with friends.

She said her upcoming store’s biggest attractions would be its jewellery workshop, where customers can peer through a “long, skinny” window and watch jewellery being crafted.

“It’s like an open kitchen,” she said.

Ms Ryan said the store, which also has a studio, gallery and retail space, will feature a sculpture that once featured in Vogue magazine, and a “wooden collage feature wall”.

Before landing on her store’s location, Ms Ryan said she browsed Hastings Street in Noosa Heads, but said no available spots allowed her to have the variety of sections in her store.

Ms Ryan said she was stoked to be able to collaborate with several friends and business owners – Australian footwear brand Woven Palm and health brand Pharmakeute. Their items will also be available in her new store.

“It’s the final piece in the puzzle for me,” she said.