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High Wire Girls is a women owned and operated business specializing in unique and affordable gifts, jewelry, accessories and apparel. Our goal is to provide a shopping experience that makes our customers yearn for more. We take pride in our customer service, so if you ever feel less than satisfied, PLEASE call to let us know. So many of our customers tell us they come in to the store because it always makes them happy; we are beyond thrilled to continue to provide the smiles.
History
Our very first customers remember the early days when the business was known as Live Wire Bead Co. Because of the overwhelming popularity of my hand beaded creations and the wonderful support of friends, family and customers who have since become our friends, the business flourished and now exists as High Wire Girls, and so the story go...
In my late teens, I was given a dusty old shoebox filled with a collection of costume jewelry, a gift that didn't seem like much at the time but ultimately ended up changing the course of my life.
Over a period of years, my Grandmother had gathered beads and baubles from garage and estate sales. Unbeknownst to me, she would drag my Grandfather all over the Detroit area in search of unique jewelry to add to the growing stash she was sure I would eventually turn into beautiful treasure. When she felt the time was right, she pridefully presented the overstuffed box with great anticipation and I curiously accepted with gratitude and respect, but initially felt completely uninspired. After graduating from College, the box became a family joke. Every time I moved, so did the box, looking and weighing the same as it had the move before. Following my wedding, the box met it's final destination when I suddenly found the time to sort the good stuff from the junk. As I separated the beads, my interest grew and the idea of turning the colorful pieces of glass, wood and stone into creative wearables fascinated me. I made several pieces for my own personal use and gave others as gifts. On a daily basis my creations spurred compliments and curiosity. Admiration turned into orders and as a result Live Wire Bead Co. was born.
Although I have thanked her again and again, my grandmother will never comprehend what a huge role that dusty old shoebox played in my life. The initial treasures are long gone and our merchandise now comes from all over the world, but my Grandmother's creative inspiration will never be forgotten.
From the opening of the box in 1991, through the turn of the century, LWB was a one woman, card table and chair operation. As the business grew, the success was not without sacrifice. On many occasions, I would put my children to bed and then work through the night until I heard their scampering feet in the morning. When those crazy nights became a necessity in order to get the work done, I knew a major decision had to be made. Live Wire either had to fizzle out and die or move ahead and become something bigger.
As I struggled to manage the growth of my one woman operation, Lisa came to me with a strategy that ultimately saved me, my family and the growing business. In October 2000, sales were already out of control. As nothing more than a concerned friend, Lisa reviewed my order books and party schedules. Knowing my level of exhaustion and realizing I was ready to put Live Wire Bead Co. to rest, Lisa pulled me out of the darkness of my basement studio, shook me out of my bead delirium and insisted I hire beaders to help me through the extremely busy holiday season. She knew my ability to fill all of the orders, conduct retail shows and keep up with the inventory was nothing but impossible. Knowing the uncapped potential of Live Wire Bead Co., Lisa refused to allow it's cessation. I had laid a solid foundation for LWB over the course of nine years and although it was a slow, careful growth, it was steady. With the Christmas deadline in mind, Lisa rolled up her sleeves and dove head first into the mayhem. As multi-tasking Queens, we plowed through the holiday season, moved the business outside of my home and brought 20+ new faces along for the ride. For one year we worked out of an industrial space in Ferndale designing, manufacturing and distributing all of the LWB original designs but as our customer base continued to grow, so did their desire to "drop in" and shop our very factory-like showroom. Their need to shop turned into our fortunate need to relocate once again.
In March of 2002 we opened our Royal Oak store in it's current premiere location. For a number of reasons, a new name became a necessity and on December 31st, 2003 Live Wire Bead Co. became High Wire Girls.
We live our lives on the High Wire, burning the candle at both ends. Never short of smiles, never short of friends."
The spirit of Live Wire lives on in High Wire Girls and we couldn't be happier. Lisa and I look forward to each day with the knowledge that we can take the business to whatever level we choose. We work hard, but we laugh harder.
For these reasons and more, the best is yet to come.
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