#iampoetic - Featured Friend Hannah

 FEATURED FRIENDS OF WAXING POETIC

 HANNAH CHILDS SHINES HER BEAUTIFUL LIGHT

Hi! I'm Hannah. I'm a 27 year old fashion designer in Santa Barbara with my own equestrian accessories and clothing line called Style Stock. I started riding horses when I was five years old, and have had my horse (Harry Potter) since I was 12. I took to art and design as a child, but decided I wanted to be a fashion designer with an equestrian line at age 16 when I saw Project Runway for the first time. I'm inspired by classic, feminine, and timeless designs. I started Style Stock as a creative outlet and hobby while I was designing for UGG, and decided to pursue it full time 2 1/2 years ago. I am currently renovating a fixer upper in SB with my fiancé, who I will be marrying this fall in Tuscany, Italy. In my free time, I'm most often outside and active, whether it be riding, running at the beach, or doing yoga, or doing something creative like drawing, sewing, or designing new projects for our house.

I first heard about Waxing Poetic when I was 16 when my mom told Patti that I wanted to be a fashion designer. She hired me to work a few days each week after school to get my feet wet in the business. I did everything from helping as her design assistant, to customer service, order processing, and even went to a trade show in New York. Working for Patti for three years and seeing how brilliant of a designer and business woman she is, confirmed my dreams of having my own design company. WP served as an amazing foundation for me to follow my dreams as an entrepreneur, and Patti continues to be a close friend and incredible mentor to me.

On dreaming big and changing the world
My dream is to build a brand that inspires women to be strong, independent, bold, passionate, and original and to create style that makes them feel naturally beautiful. I hope that as women we can lift each other up and support each other's dreams, struggles and accomplishments. I believe that when we are kind, encouraging and genuinely excited for one another's successes, we can change the world.

What matters most?
 Living a life that is filled with passion and purpose. For me that means having a career that not only inspires me, but brings beauty, confidence and expression to others. It means spending quality time with my family and closest friends. It means doing things I love; that fuel, ground, and excite me.
And being “poetic?”
Being poetic means leading with love, being authentic to myself in speech and actions, and sharing that with the world.

We love guiding principles.  What is yours?

"Shine your beautiful light

To raise the vibration of consciousness

And come at everything from a place of love

So we may celebrate together the oneness of all for peace in our sacred world"

Favorite Waxing Poetic pieces? I love my "In Time" pendant. It is a symbol for me to follow my heart, but to also be patient and let the universe guide me in the direction of my dreams. I love the roman numerals on the front, signifying the time on a clock, and the script writing on the back. I recently wore it on my first solo international trip to Europe. In moments of solitude, temporary loneliness or unsureness it served as a reminder that I am right where I am supposed to be. My other favorite piece is the "Be the Light" pendant (I wear it on the Breidon Charm Choker so the pendant sits right at my heart ). I love it because it signifies leading with light, kindness, and compassion. I love the image of the sunburst in mixed metals with the black Kristal- it really is a showstopper! I have a bit of an affinity for the sun (I have a sunburst tattooed on my wrist) so when I saw this piece I immediately knew I needed to wear it.

I've found that Waxing Poetic customers are a devoted bunch. When people see me wearing the jewelry they are excited and most often enthusiastic to share the story of how they picked their own pieces and their experience with WP. 
There is such meaning and intention behind the designs. The pieces all signify different parts of our lives and serve as amulets for people to wear, give and cherish. I love that they are carved by hand out of wax, and cast in the different metals. WP is one of my favorite things to gift because whether it is serving as a celebration, memento, life milestone, totem or amulet for guidance, I can find something for anyone.