women in art
‘Follow your passion’ guides local
jewelry artist Chardel Ehrhardt carves niche in unique, stamped jewelry
Chardel Ehrhardt with sons Kirk and Reed and husband Jonathan.
By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@northsidewoman.com
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Signature jewelry pieces feature stackable discs and hand-stamped messages. 18 | northsidewoman.com | september2013
t’s a busy life…with a full-time job, husband and kids and now a booming jewelry business to carve into what precious little time Chardel Ehrhardt had to spare. But the Johns Creek mother of two wouldn’t have it any other way. “I always have balls in the air, but I am better under pressure,” she said, laughing. “Make a bracelet…put in the pasta…tie up a necklace, stir the salad. I love to multi-task!” Her creative collection of personalized, hand-stamped jewelry now adorns the wrists and necklaces of a growing customer base, drawn to the uniqueness of the metal art. And for the sports mom tired of the jewelry that screams “sports jewelry,” her signature piece – a beaded necklace with a personalized disc that can stack to combine names, numbers and sports items – is classy enough to wear away from the sidelines. “I started my business – Char-de-Lis – about two years ago and it has just blossomed into a fun, fulfilling business,” said Ehrhardt, a native of Louisiana who grew up just “over the bridge” from the Duck Dynasty crew. “The best part of this entire adventure is seeing my jewelry around town, [especially] at Friday night football games,” she said. Ehrhardt hails from a family of jewelry artists. Her sister-in-law designs jewelry and her mother had a jewelry business – Jangles, Bangles and Links. Growing up, Ehrhardt often helped her mom create pieces to sell. “Arts and crafts have always been a part of my life,” she said. “My mother and I would paint rocks we found at the creek and use shells from the beach to make treasures. I can be dangerous with a little paint and a glue gun.”
While she sells her jewelry year-round at home shows and through word of mouth, her annual Mistletoe Lane show each December with good friend Tara Lee has become a “must attend” for people looking for holiday gifts and jewelry. “I have turned my study into a little studio,” said Ehrhardt. “I make jewelry in the evenings and on the weekends, or anytime I walk past my studio…I’m always inspired to create something new.” After graduating from Louisiana State University in the mid-80s, she began a fashion career in Dallas, but soon moved to Atlanta after she began working for American Home Shield – a career she’s had for nearly three decades. In 1989, she married her college sweetheart, Jonathan, and the two are parents to sons Kirk and Reed, who attend Johns Creek High School and fill her days and nights with sports and other activities…and lend a hand when needed. “When push comes to shove, they all can string a mean bead,” said Ehrhardt, laughing. While she nurtures her creative side through jewelry, Ehrhardt also has found a way to make her jewelry matter beyond its function. “This business has allowed me to give back to the community as well,” she explained. “I have had shows to help raise money for ovarian cancer and breast cancer, to benefit schools and even for the Pi Phi [sorority] at UGA for their philanthropy efforts.” Her advice to other women who are looking for inspiration to start their own business? “Follow your talent, interest and passion as far as possible,” she said. “The greatest gift is putting a smile on someone’s face with something you’ve created.” To contact Chardel Ehrhardt, visit her Facebook page at Char-de-Lis. ■