An impressive number of celebrities have worn local jewelry maker Lynnae Tanner Ruff’s creations: Priyanka Chopra, Scarlett Johansson, Emilia Clarke, Halle Berry… As exciting as it is to see her work on the red carpet, though, she doesn’t participate in celebrity giftings much anymore. Instead, she focuses on making necklaces, earrings, and bracelets for the “everyday woman.”
“I wanted to take beadwork and make something that a modern working woman would wear to a board meeting or a gala,” she says.
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Tanner Ruff is the owner and designer behind Lady Grey Beads, a line of handcrafted jewelry that features semiprecious stones, freshwater pearls, Austrian crystals, and intricate patterns of seed beads. On average, her beadwork can take six to 25 hours per piece—and her more ambitious creations can take even longer than that.
“Friends brought their friends to the trunk shows, and they said I should make cheaper pieces,” she says. “But I make what I love, not what I think I can sell.” She’s often inspired by nature and outfits she sees in fashion magazines. “I think about what type of jewelry I would pair with that dress or that outfit.”
Although Tanner Ruff is originally from Belize, she’s been living in the United States since she was 20 years old. After meeting her husband in Portland, Oregon, the pair eventually moved to St. Louis for his job. Here, friends introduced her to a local bead store, and she was immediately hooked. She started making jewelry in 2008, while pregnant with her first child, and she was surprised and encouraged when people were interested in her work.
She officially launched Lady Grey Beads in 2014. Her husband suggested the name, which combines her love of tea—especially Earl Grey—and jewelry. Over the past few years, she’s developed her skills in intricate beadwork, which is where her true passion lies.
“You wouldn’t use ‘minimalist’ to describe my work,” she says. “I think if a little is good, a lot is better. They are very lavish pieces.” Her work is time-consuming and uses quality materials, so she strives to make pieces that are versatile and can be worn with different outfits and in a range of situations.
Since making those first pieces in 2008, she admits that there’s been a lot to learn, from sales to social media to marketing. Today, she sells to customers across the U.S. through her website and participates in local maker events throughout the year.
“Beading and becoming a mother gave me a boldness I didn’t have,” she says. “When you start doing events, you meet all kinds of people. I learned how to talk to people and how to connect. I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it hadn’t been for finding this passion.”
Lady Grey’s Holiday Boutique
Every year, Tanner Ruff brings together a group of local small businesses for Lady Grey’s Holiday Boutique, held the Saturday before Thanksgiving at the Arden Mead Youth & Community Center of Christ Lutheran Church (17 Selma) in Webster Groves. Follow Lady Grey Beads on Facebook to find out about upcoming events.
