Interview with Mariana Hay Avant, Founder of Goldbug Collection

For this edition of The Basketweave, we’re sitting down with Mariana “Mini” Hay, one half of the sister duo behind Charleston-based jewelry brand Goldbug Collection. Rooted in family history and shaped by sentiment, their designs feel personal and timeless. In this interview, we talk about family and the art of creating pieces meant to be layered, worn every day and passed down through generations.

How did the idea to create the Goldbug Collection first come to life and what was the moment you knew it could become something bigger?

Goldbug came to life really by the push of my mother! I wanted to move back to Charleston after school and life in NYC and she said on the condition you create! So, enter the Goldbug! I started them right out of 308 King Street, and the rest is history! I think a moment we knew this was bigger was the need for a brick and mortar! We opened our first little shop on Spring Street in the spring of 2024 and quickly outgrew that space. 

Working as sisters adds unique and fun layers to building a brand. How do your individual strengths show up in the business and where do you most complement one another?

It is so much fun working with your family! I am so lucky to do this everyday. We watched our Mom work with her sister (our Aunt) our whole lives so we always knew it would be just as fun working together. Every day is truly so much fun!

What inspires your creative process right now — objects, places or moments you find yourselves returning to?

Life! Pieces I want to wear and enjoy! My life now is chasing after two little boys, running a business, and being with my family! They inspire me and our beautiful place we live in. 

Charleston has such a distinct rhythm and charm. How does living and working there influence the way you design and run Goldbug Collection?

Living here is a dream! It has changed here so much and I feel like our business has changed with it. I am constantly inspired by Charleston, the Lowcountry and outdoors —  it makes itself into a lot of our pieces. I love connecting with customers that have a special love with a piece inspired by our great city or they are traveling to town and want to take something of ours home with them. It really means the world to me!

Jewelry often marks meaningful moments. Is there a piece you’ve designed that feels especially sentimental to you or tied to a specific memory?

Yes, our Peanut Collection! We started the Peanuts after my two boys, Walker and George. I never found out the gender during either pregnancy, so I always called them “my peanut” — which naturally led us to create the charm. What started as a charm has grown into earrings, a cuff and a peanut link bracelet. Hearing customers’ own “Peanut” stories along the way has made the collection especially meaningful!

As female founders, what has been the most rewarding part of building Goldbug together and what has surprised you along the way?

The most rewarding part has been the support from both our family and our customers. We have customers who have been with us from the very beginning and continue to come back again and again, which means so much to us. Our family has also been incredibly supportive — we opened a pop-up right before Christmas in our family’s former jewelry store space, and there were so many helping hands along the way. We truly know that if our brand ever needs something, there’s always a family member ready to step in.

Your pieces pair beautifully with heirloom-inspired accessories like our Valentine’s Capsule. How do you think about styling jewelry as part of a larger story or moment?

Thank you so much! We always think about what a customer may have already or what they can add onto it. Or how can we help them continue to add to their collection that they are building! It’s important to us to style shoots and collections around existing pieces so it can grow naturally with the customer.  

What does longevity mean to you when designing a piece — both in style and in sentiment?

When designing a piece, I’m always thinking about how it can be worn with an antique piece, how it pairs with another Goldbug item, or how it might be styled with something passed down. It’s important to us that while these pieces are certainly fun, they can be worn through many moments and events in life. In that same spirit, we brought engraving into the business about six years ago as a nod to the engraving my great-grandfather did at Croghan’s. We’ve had so much fun designing engravable pieces and helping customers create jewelry with an extra-special, personal touch.

Outside of work, what rituals or small indulgences help you reset or spark creativity?

Being with my boys! And my family! That is truly where I find a lot of my inspiration and drive. 

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of Goldbug Collection — a direction, a dream collaboration or simply what’s next?

We’re so thrilled to be opening our new home in the former Croghan’s Jewel Box — my family’s jewelry store! While we’re currently under construction, we can’t wait to officially have a home on King Street. We feel incredibly lucky to continue serving our community and customers right here in Charleston.

THIS OR THAT?

Gold or mixed metals?

Gold!

Statement ring or delicate chain?

Statement ring

Vintage find or modern classic?

Vintage find

Heirloom-inspired or boldly new?

A little of both

Styled up or effortlessly undone?

Styled up

Handwritten note or thoughtful gift?

A handwritten note

Matching sets or meaningful mix?

Matching

Valentine’s dinner in or out?

In!