Vendor Spotlight: Rita of Ay Design

At Bloom and Glow, every piece in our collection has a story, not just in the gemstones themselves, but in the hands and hearts of the people who bring them to life. One of those incredible people is Rita, of Ay Design.

I first met Rita at the Denver Gem and Mineral Show in 2022, when I was working part-time for a startup that live-streamed gem shows. At the time, my own beloved box chain (a staple in my jewelry style) had been destroyed in a dog-sitting mishap, and I was on the hunt for something new.

Rita had an incredible selection of chains in every style and length imaginable. She didn’t just help me find a replacement box chain, she introduced me to the world of chains! She taught me how to style necklace stacks (perfect for the days when one pendant just isn’t enough!) and sparked my excitement about exploring new styles and lengths.

As we talked, I also learned more about Rita herself: her life, her approach to sourcing, and the care she takes in curating her collection. Our conversations turned into a friendship, and what I didn’t realize at the time was that I was building one of the most important business connections I’d carry into Bloom and Glow.

At the beginning of 2024, Rita invited me to her beautiful home in Las Vegas so I could hand-select the chains that would become the foundation of the Bloom and Glow inventory. So I decided to drive from Denver to Vegas for both business and pleasure!

It was my very first trip to Las Vegas, and it was everything I hoped it would be, bright lights, fast pace, and adventure around every corner! I stayed at a beautiful resort, saw the stunning Cirque du Soleil show “O”, caught a show at the Stratosphere, and soaked up the energy of the Strip. It felt like the perfect mix of excitement and possibility, a reflection of the new chapter I was stepping into as an entrepreneur!

After spending the day with Rita in her home, carefully choosing each style, length, and material for Bloom and Glow, we celebrated with sushi at a local casino resort. It was exactly the kind of joyful, human moment I dreamed of as a small business owner!

Since then, Rita has been one of my biggest cheerleaders. She gave me feedback on my website while I was building it, congratulated me every step of the way, and when I finally launched, her text read:

“Wow! What a classy and attractive website. I love it! Wishing you all the best, you deserve success, Ashly!”

It’s important to me to have personal relationships with the vendors and artists who shape the Bloom and Glow collection. In an industry where exploitation and inequality are all too common, knowing the people behind the work ensures that every piece is ethically sourced, fairly priced, and infused with positive energy.

Rita isn’t just a vendor, she’s a friend, a mentor, and a shining example of why Bloom and Glow jewelry holds not just beauty, but meaning!