Youthful Metals Brings High-Concept Jewelry to Life in Ventura

When Gab Klassen worked as a production designer at the Independent in the early 2010s, the soon-to-be beader (whose pronouns are they/them) never thought jewelry-making was a viable outlet for their creativity.

Klassen’s boss at the time, former advertising production manager Megan Packard Hillegas, is a silversmith who could whip up wedding bands in a couple hours, just like that. In fact, she customized the sterling silver rings for the then-newlywed Klassens. It was a skill that felt so out of reach to Klassen. “I have this copper cursive cutout that says Gabby,” they said. “And I’m like, ‘This is so unattainable.’”

Fortunately, Klassen would find out the blingiest genre of craftsmanship doesn’t require a blacksmith’s toolbox. Enter Youthful Metals, their whimsical brand of cleverly beaded concoctions.