"MacKenzie Hais unleashed a new series of bracelets in January at MacKenzie's Silver and Gold, using natural stones as the focal point. Hais is celebrating her 30th year in business, operating in Downtown Wooster since 1983."
"Unique twists to classic pieces are what MacKenzie Haiss still has to offer after 30 years owning and operating Mackenzie's Silver and Gold.
Haiss said though she is continually busy juggling her business and home life raising three kids, she has maintained a balance of the two through her strictly studio work days and operating hours of Mackenzie's Silver and Gold, Wednesday-Saturday in downtown Wooster.
Her jewelry, typically made from natural stones, seashells and handmade glass can take up to 30 hours to create. Haiss said she looks for a stone to tell a story.
"I buy anything that is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece, because each of my designs, I try to think up something to go with each stone that highlights each stone," Haiss said.
Her stones are from all over the world, with some coming from one of the three trade shows she attends annually.
Though the stones come from around the world, her inspiration relies heavily on her childhood, which was spent in Europe with her father. Her dad, who was a professor at the College of Wooster, would travel overseas for work and take her to cultural museums, including the Louvre in Paris.
"We saw museums and churches and artwork all over the place, so I have this well of information of artwork that I've seen my whole life," Haiss said. "I mean, you're 13 years old and you're standing in the Louvre, looking at the Mona Lisa."
Haiss said she was able to stand three feet away from the famous painting and was able to see many historical buildings and stained-glass windows that stay with her.
"I think that's where my style comes from," Haiss said. "I try to do a really classic jewelry piece with that little twist, that little extra something... that little surprise."
While she works with art style jewelry every day, Haiss still maintains a healthy relationship with community organizations such as Quota International, Salvation Army and Wayne Center for the Arts, where Haiss is a board member, to encourage the arts in the area.
"In the time I've known her, ... she has always been both an enthusiastic supporter and a very very hard worker in making things happen," Executive Director of the Wayne Center for the Arts Rob Hyde said, she brings a boatload of enthusiasm... I'm really glad she's involved in the Arts Center"
Haiss' father helped to establish the Wayne Center for the Arts in the '70's her sister has been involved with the organization as well. "Its obviously in the DNA," Hyde said, "It's really a fun thing to see."
Keeping specific studio days to produce new pieces on Mondays and Tuesdays maintains the balance so she doesn't get bored of doing the same kind of work.
"It's for me, it really feeds my soul," Hais said. "That has given me a really good balance, even as a mom of three kids."
Haiss can do some work while at home, with a studio in her home if she needs to be more domestic on certain days.
"One day, I'll feel like doing big designs and another day I'll feel like doing tiny things or light-weight or wispy, and another day I'll be working with chunky stones," Haiss
Haiss said she also like to focus on being a jeweler first and foremost instead of purchasing gold and silver while trying to figure out the costs and profits from it.
"I save all of my scrap silver and all my scrap gold and then I'll melt it and reform it or work with it and remake things," Haiss said. "That's why I don't buy gold and silver from people because I want to remake something for them or I want to work with my stones and make new designs."
Changing up the variety of her pieces is what has kept jewelry-making interesting to Haiss"
"That's why after 30 years, I'm still doing it, and I still like it and I still find it exciting, " Haiss said.
Haiss said she enjoys reinventing older pieces of jewelry, either family heirlooms or jewelry that needs upgrading.
"Because I handle things myself, people feel confident in handing me Grandma's diamond, you know? I am the one setting it in the new mounting," Haiss said. "I think that that makes people happy to bring me these things."
Though new items are made constantly by Haiss, she wants to give a quality experience to her customers as she has for the past 30 years.
"I think of myself more as a jewelry shop, an art jewelry shop, not a commercial jewelry store. That's what I've tried to stay true to," Haiss said.
Hyde said he has seen Haiss be passionate for any cause she's involved in and has helped rally fellow retailers for the better good.