About West Native

Hi. I'm Sheva, owner and designer of West Native. A little about me... I started making jewelry in college as a hobby after finding a jar labeled "craft junk" at an antique store in Cambria, CA. That jar would become my most valuable vintage score to date. It unlocked a passion I never knew existed and would ultimately change the course of my life. It was sealed with duct tape but I could see bits of discarded charms and chain peeking through and the mystery of what was inside thrilled me. Upon returning home, I borrowed my boyfriend's tools and got to work reassembling the contents of the jar into jewelry that I proudly wore to my Sociology classes and afterschool waitressing gig. I was addicted- making jewelry into the wee hours of the night, neglecting schoolwork, social engagements, etc to make my little refurbished baubles. When friends and family would ask what I planned to do after college, I would say I was going to be a jewelry designer, not really knowing what that meant. Somehow, it all worked out. Instead of going to grad school or getting a job in my field of study, I moved to LA and started working for various jewelry brands doing anything they allowed me to at first- from packing orders to organizing beads. Eventually, I moved into design and experienced the thrill of seeing my work in stores across the country, but always under another brand's name. I continued to make my reworked vintage pieces in my free time, hunting for materials on ebay and taking jewRead their story