Sydney Long is the brains (and the hands!) behind Sun Vow Jewelry, a collection of laid-back, luxury pieces inspired by the sea.
Sydney was born and raised chasing seagulls and surfing in the blue-green waters of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. After high school she ventured a little further south to attend college in Charleston, South Carolina.
After dipping her feet in various industries and some soul-searching, she realized her zeal to design and create jewelry inspired by an undying love for the sea.
Before launching her business, Sydney knew that she wanted to do something to give back to others, so she partnered with and donated a portion of all sales to the Polaris Project, a charity leading the global fight against human trafficking.
Through her coalition with the Polaris Project, Sydney has become even more inspired to keep creating her jewelry in Charleston, SC where the continued support of her business has given her many opportunities to help people through the nonprofit organization.
How did you first form your partnership with the Polaris Project?:
I heavily researched different types of charities and specifically wanted to work with a charity that used the majority of its funding to help its victims rather than using donations for marketing.
That’s important too, but I wanted to find a charity that really was helping people. I loved the fact that they not only help victims abroad, But also in the US. A lot of people don’t know that there’s so much human trafficking going on in the United States.
This charity helps both, and they are also fighting to change the laws that protect victims, so they’re really attacking it on all fronts.
What’s your creative process like when it comes to making new jewelry?:
It’s kind of different every time, but I am really inspired by certain types of design, like 70s jewelry and Egyptian jewelry. I love to put a modern take on that and create pieces that people want to wear every day. I’ll take a picture of something I see or sketch something and then try to make it into my own.
How do you find the sea glass and the materials you use to make your pieces?:
I have some secret spots, but I like to go at low tide, especially after a storm. I try to go to places where I know I can usually find good pieces of sea glass and just make it a whole experience.
Why is the Carolina Coast the perfect home for barracuda moon?:
There are so many people that either are from here or that have moved here and made it home. They absolutely love being near the coast and that’s what embodies the whole vibe of the line. It’s very sea inspired, and a lot of pieces I create hoping that people will find a little piece of their love for the ocean, the sea, and being near the coast.
What is your proudest achievement since starting barracuda moon?:
I would say it’s having someone tell me how much they love their peice and how special it is to them, and that they want to wear it every day. That’s exactly what I want to do: make people feel like they have something special and unique that they want to keep forever and pass on to their daughters or loved ones.
What’s one piece of barracuda moon jewelry that you think everyone should own?:
I would say those sleeping moon necklace. It’s very simple but still a statement.
Recent Accolades:
Sydney Long and her Sun Vow Jewelry was featured in
the December issue of Skirt Magazine. That’s her pouring the champagne in the cover shot.
Her jewelry was also recently chosen by Wrangler Jeans to accessorize the photo shoot for their latest line of women’s clothing.
You can find Sydney’s jewelry collection online at:
IslandsArtStore.com & SunVowJewelry.com
