Meet the Maker

Handcrafted with Heart by Allyson Drumhiller

Doing what I love while building a business around it has been one of my greatest blessings. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by rocks, gemstones, and the natural beauty that surrounds us.

I spent most of my childhood outdoors, and that early connection with nature continues to inspire every piece I create today. Jewelry has always been my favorite form of expression — it tells stories, holds memories, and connects people across generations.

Inspired by Nature – Every Stone Has a Story

To me, jewelry is more than an accessory. It’s connection, memory, and meaning. Each piece carries the timelessness of the earth and the craftsmanship of the hands that shape it.

I believe in quality over quantity, honoring each stone for the unique gift it is. As Robin Kimmerer writes in Braiding Sweetgrass:

“A gift comes to you through no action of your own… it is not a reward; you cannot earn it… and yet it appears. Your only role is to be open-eyed and present.”

Each stone I find feels like that kind of gift — humbling, beautiful, and full of mystery. When you polish a rough surface, what lies beneath is often the most breathtaking part — just like people, just like life.

Every piece of jewelry begins with the stone itself. I handpick, cut, shape, and polish each one before setting it and photographing the finished design. No two stones are ever alike — which means no two pieces of jewelry ever are, either.

Most of my stones come from my home state of Michigan, gathered by hand during long walks and rockhounding adventures — especially after a good rain, when the colors shine their brightest. I also work with turquoise from the Otteson Brothers Mine in Nevada and treasures I’ve found while traveling, including stones from Alaska and Montana.

A Circle of Creation – Handmade Jewelry with a Timeless Spirit

Every Wild Riverbend Rustics piece is designed to last — to be worn, loved, and passed on. These stones have been here long before us, and they will remain long after. It’s a beautiful circle of life — and I’m grateful to play a small part in it.

I live in rural Parma, Michigan, just outside of Jackson, where my family and I also tend our regenerative farm. The land here constantly reminds me of the beauty in simplicity — in earth, water, and creation itself.

Balancing life as a mother, entrepreneur, and farmer isn’t always easy — there are seasons when time to create is scarce. But through it all, prayer and faith keep me grounded and guide the direction of Wild Riverbend Rustics.

Each day, I’m reminded that this work is part of a much bigger circle — one that began long before me and will continue long after. These stones have stories to tell, and it’s my honor to help share them.