Holly Yashi

Twenty years ago Holly Yashi was born in a rented garage in the small college town of Arcata, deep behind the "Redwood Curtain" along the rugged coast of Northern California. The company started almost as a lark - two young Humboldt State University graduates, in love, and in search of "real" careers. Paul Lubitz, with a master's degree in Industrial Arts, and Holly Hosterman, with a bachelor's degree in Fine Art, decided to start a jewelry manufacturing business. Holly, with early awards in school and a recent successful showing of her handcrafted jewelry thought, "Can we really do this for a living?"

Paul got to work doing research on the manufacturing techniques; Holly got to work on her brass and silver animals; and the two talents meshed. They combined names, too, taking Holly's first and Paul's childhood nickname, "Yashi", and Holly Yashi was born. Along with the gold, silver and copper they were using, Holly and Paul discovered the extraordinary beauty that lurks in a dull grey metal called niobium. Dipped in an electrically-charged bath, the refractory metal flashes into magnificent colors (oxide layers that permanently change its color), depending on what voltage of electricity is applied. Though niobium is twice the price of silver and nine times the price of titanium, Holly's designs demand its superior coloring properties. Equally important, niobium is environmentally clean from start to finish. And besides being clean, it is lightweight and hypoallergenic.

Holly Yashi now employs over 50 talented and creative people with a strong commitment to a culture of quality and design integrity.

Earrings and Company has more of Holly Yashi jewelry available at our Freeport Maine jewelry store.