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The woman behind the sparkle: Sheila Hodges’ brilliance beginning to shine way beyond Mississippi

Right off Landon Road in Gulfport, there is a jewel of a shop that radiates with the most extraordinary palette of colors: Pacific opal, golden shadow, black diamond, vintage rose, summer blush. And that’s just a handful of hues in the rainbow of gems offered through the Victoria Lynn Jewelry line.

This premier line of handcrafted pieces is brilliantly embellished with the finest array of genuine Swarovski crystal elements — an exclusive collection that illustrates a stunning balance of elegance, class and vibrancy to dazzle the eye of any beholder.

Sheila Hodges, owner and principal artist of Victoria Lynn Jewelry, is the sparkle behind Victoria Lynn. Her masterful eye for color selection, whimsical knack for design and intimate attention to detail have produced a collection uniquely set apart with the highest standards of creative excellence. Each bracelet, earring, necklace and ring carries unparalleled quality, but that type of intricate care isn’t anything new to Hodges.

Many Coast residents remember The Bead Shak, a bead store full of supplies for local crafters and a place where clientele could learn beading tips and techniques. It also served as a hub of innovation for Hodges and her team of artisans to create one-of-a-kind jewelry that involved hand-stringing copious amounts of seed beads. Some pieces were even accentuated with extraordinary, hand-blown glass beads Hodges made.

Prior to opening the business in 2003, Hodges was a hairdresser for 18 years and she will never forget the day she was introduced to beading.

“I was doing a customer’s hair and she noticed the bead bracelet I was wearing and asked if I bead,” Hodges recalls. “I remember looking at her puzzled and said, ‘Bead? What’s that?’ The next week she came in for her follow-up hair appointment and brought me a box of handmade bead pieces she made. She explained what beading was all about, and from that moment I was hooked.”

Hodges quickly began to learn as much about beading as possible, and thanks to her supportive family, The Bead Shak was opened and operated for 11 years.

“I loved my bead store and loved my customers more than anything,” Hodges says. “The most rewarding thing was seeing customers light up after making their own piece of jewelry. Of course, I cried when we closed it down, but we had a big party in honor of all the great memories that happened at The Bead Shak.”

For three years, Hodges balanced The Bead Shak and the Victoria Lynn line together, but last year, a weighty decision was made to close the bead business to explore a more prismatic course of adventure. After being captivated by crystals, Hodges transitioned her jewelry design focus to embrace an exquisite line solely devoted to showcasing the radiant characteristics of Swarovski elements.

Victoria Lynn was launched shortly thereafter and is still proudly based in South Mississippi. The lustrous brand is now well known beyond state lines and is growing nationwide.

Hodges’ passion as a jewelry artisan rests in the ability to make women look and feel beautiful when gracefully bedecked with eye-catching crystal couture. However, she admits her strong faith in God and the priceless support from her husband and best friend, Joey, are the most valuable treasures of her business.

“Victoria Lynn is in the Lord’s hands and that’s the most important aspect of this business, and without my husband, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Hodges says. “I design the jewelry, but he makes it work. You don’t see him at the store, but he’s a behind-the-scenes type of guy who keeps us running and makes everything flow as smoothly as possible.”

The Hodges have four daughters — Victoria, Charity, Katherine and Olivia — and they all have grown up in the jewelry business, from the days at The Bead Shak to now each playing a vital role in the success of Victoria Lynn.

“The experience all four of us girls had growing up was wonderful,” says Katherine, 17. “I have watched my mom throughout the years and she never gave up on her dreams and I couldn’t be more proud. She’s my greatest role model and the way she can create jewelry is amazing. She makes it a masterpiece and one day I would like to do that as well.”

Charity, 22, adds: “There are many nights I don’t thank the Lord enough for the opportunity to work with my parents and sisters,” she says. “My mom loves seeing her jewelry shine on people, but her greatest jewel is her family.”

Together, the Hodges family has built the business on a reputable foundation of signature craftsmanship bound by a divine bond of faith, hope and love — a generational blessing that makes Hodges sparkle with great joy and gratitude.

 

Where to find Victoria Lynn:

Bay St. Louis

Fashion Express

Biloxi

Antique Store, Beau Rivage

Salon Alexander

The Paper Moon

Tickled Pink

Trends Boutique, IP Casino

Diamondhead

Exit 16

Gautier

Coral Boutique

Gulfport

Bella Rose Boutique

Elle Boutique

Emily Grace

Fazzio’s Home & Farm Center

Joy’s Hallmark

Kiln

Coastal Hardware & Rental LLC

DaSwamp Shack

Long Beach

Hair Affair Salon

McComb

Friend Girl Thing

Moss Point

Coastal Bling

Ocean Springs

LeCelebrations

Lucia’s Hallmark

Pascagoula

Lee Tracy

Miss Priss

Party Girls

Picayune

Dancewear Connection & Gifts

Poplarville

Way Out West

Vancleave

High Stylin’ Boutique

Laurel

It’s What A Girl Wants

Wiggins

Island Dreams