In 1981, in a northern California college town, two fresh college graduates were in search of careers. Holly Hosterman had an art degree in jewelry-making and Paul “Yashi” Lubitz, a double degree in industrial technology and music. They believed their talents laid the foundation for the creation of a jewelry design business, so they transformed their one-car garage into a design studio and got to work from their kitchen table. There, they designed and manufactured the pieces that would mark the start of their lifelong careers.
Holly’s first designs were hand-cut animal earrings made of brass and silver. Within months they had a loyal following. But the company’s success really ignited when Holly and Paul discovered the beauty that lurked in the seemingly dull gray metal, niobium. Lightweight like titanium, but much rarer, when shiny metal sheets of niobium are dipped in an electrically-charged bath, the refractory metal flashes into hues of rich, permanent color. It often receives a secondary coloring treatment which is applied by hand.
Holly’s intricate designs demand niobium’s consistent coloring potential. Equally important, niobium is environmentally clean from start to finish and so hypo-allergenic that it is used in surgical implants.
Holly and her design team create new designs everyday and maintain a portfolio of about 1,000 current styles, which are available through our retail website and through retail catalog mailings. Holly also creates custom designs for non-profit organizations as well as well-known fashion retailers like Sundance and Anthropologie.
Holly Yashi’s vibrant, handcrafted jewelry is collected by discerning individuals throughout the United States thanks in part to the over 1,100 fine galleries and boutiques that carry it. Holly Yashi has been featured in magazines such as Vogue, Good Housekeeping, and Modern Jeweler, as well as on a number of television series. Holly Yashi is also worn by many well-known women from musician Bonnie Raitt to Sandra Oh in Sideways.
Paul and Holly are still actively involved in the company’s daily operations. Paul acts as the CEO and president and Holly serves as the creative director. They work side-by-side everyday at the Holly Yashi design studio in Arcata, creating intricately beautiful and timelessly feminine designs.
