Shop Small Stories: Brandi Couvillion Jewelry
Brandi Couvillion creates wearable pieces rooted in the stories that shape our cities. Drawing inspiration from historic maps, architectural details, and the subtle textures found in everyday landscapes, she uses a modern, eco-conscious etching process to handcraft jewelry that connects people to place. What began as a fascination with the way neighborhoods hold memory has evolved into a decade-long studio practice—one that honors history, craft, and the quiet beauty woven into the built environment.
Tell us about your business!
I’m a metalsmith and jewelry designer from New Orleans based in Washington, DC, and much of my work is rooted in the layered history and architecture that shape our cities. DC offers an endless source of inspiration—a unique street grid, historic maps, decorative facades, and small architectural elements that quietly hold the story of a neighborhood or era. I handcraft each piece myself using a modern, environmentally conscious etching technique. My collections include necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and cufflinks, often featuring patterns or details drawn from local landmarks and archival maps. I enjoy taking something people might walk past every day and translating it into a design that feels personal and meaningful. As a solo, woman-owned studio, I’m involved in every step of the process, from research and sketching to metalwork and finishing. My goal is to create jewelry that connects people to place—pieces that reflect the character of our cities and the history that continues to shape them.
How long have you been in business?
10 years
What inspired you to start your business?
I’ve always been drawn to the way places hold memory. Growing up around the architecture and culture of New Orleans — and later working there after Hurricane Katrina to help people restore their homes — taught me how deeply a city’s past lives inside its buildings, maps, and small details. That experience shaped how I see the world and, eventually, how I create. My work started with a simple question: how do you take the feeling of a place — its lines, textures, grit, history — and translate it into something someone can wear every day? That led me to experiment with etching maps, architectural fragments, and natural patterns into metal using a cleaner, more ecologically minded process. Over time, that exploration became my studio practice. Every piece begins with research. It might be a historic map that holds a story, a piece of ironwork that catches my eye, or the way a natural form interacts with the built environment. From there, the design evolves through drawing, etching, and hand-finishing until it carries the character of the place that inspired it. What keeps me doing this is the same thing that drew me in from the beginning: weaving the poetics of place with the fabric of time. I love creating work that holds a sense of where we come from — something grounding, personal, and quietly meaningful.
What’s been your biggest challenge as a small business owner — and how didyou overcome it?
My biggest challenge has been balancing the creative work with the day-to-day demands of running a business alone. The shift between designing and managing logistics used to feel jarring. I’ve eased it by streamlining my workflow, setting clearer boundaries around creative time, and getting help where I need it. Those adjustments have made the business feel far more sustainable.
What’s something special about your neighborhood community or customers that keeps you motivated?
Living on Capitol Hill, I’m surrounded by neighbors who approach their work with real purpose and dedication whether they’re scientists at NASA, policy makers at the EPA, or rangers with the Park Service. Seeing their passion firsthand is inspiring. More broadly, the city itself is full of people committed to making a difference in countless ways, and that energy motivates me to approach my own work with the same care and intention, creating jewelry that honors place, story, and craft.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start a small business in DC?
My advice would be to take full advantage of the resources and support DC offers for small businesses. The city has programs, grants, and mentorship opportunities that can help you navigate everything from licensing to funding to marketing. Beyond that, stay curious, stay patient, and give yourself the space to grow because building a small business is as much about learning and adapting as it is about following your passion.
Favorite thing about DC?
It’s impossible to choose just one favorite thing about DC because the city is full of layers and character. I love wandering its neighborhoods, each with its own energy and personality, and soaking in the culture, museums, and architecture that seem to spill out from every corner. I also love that nature is never far away. From the Potomac to Rock Creek Park, you can step into green spaces and feel a quiet connection to the city’s rhythm and landscape.