Jeweler Stephanie Iverson wasn't a long-time visitor of the Berkshires before she moved here; she simply was looking for a good place to raise her family and instantly felt at home. After leaving her job as a bookbinder, her new calling came about when friends and neighbors took an interest in her unique handmade jewelry. Necklaces, rings and wildly popularly hoop earrings are just a few of the pieces in her eponymous line that are “understated enough to wear every day, but remarkable enough to make a look." My family and I moved to Lenox from Boston in 2005. My husband was starting a business in Albany, but we didn't want to live there. We always wanted to live in a small town, but we couldn't figure out how to make a living or which small town to move to. We checked out Berkshire County and fell in love with it. We rented for four years before finding our dream home. I lived in Mexico in the early 90s and I learned some metal silversmithing. I didn't do a lot over the years but would make my own jewelry here and there. I started wearing my jewelry around and people started noticing. Lisa Nappo sells my jewelry at her TwiGs stores and has been a supporter of my work from day one. Kripalu also just started selling my jewelry.
Last year, after being a long-time yoga practitioner, I jumped in and got my yoga certification. From there, I was inspired to create a line of chakra necklaces. I really enjoy working on those because there's an energy I get from them. It's very meditative sitting there working with the different colors and stones. I have a whole circuit planned for any guest who comes to visit. We start the day at Radiance Yoga and take a vinyasa yoga class from the lovely Gillian Gorman. At Spoon, I can get my favorite breakfast: poached eggs on quinoa with extra sauteed veggies and coffee. I would then take them to Second Home, for furniture, barware, and artwork and then head over to Local, where Elizabeth Powell has curated the best collection of goods from local artists. For dinner, Nudel is the best because Bjorn Somlo is a talented, original chef and the food combinations are always interesting and surprising. Afterward, we hit Rumpy's, where the owner/bartender, Troy MeChek, welcomes you with popcorn, good cheer, and reasonably priced drinks. If the next day is Sunday, we head to St. Ann Church, where Fr. C. J. Waitekus gives a warm, welcoming sermon — he might even sing, "Getting to Know You," with the children's choir. I am a newcomer, but I already feel part of the community. I am so appreciative that I have been able to make Lenox my hometown. There is everything I want here: community, culture, nature and more.
