WORK HARD. HAVE FUN. NO DRAMA.
We’re a happy bunch of team players. Kinda like a family, but without the baggage. We support each other, and we support our guests.
When you enter Alara, you are more likely than not to find us laughing or smiling. We like to think this puts our guests in a better headspace for enjoying and selecting our artworks.
Team Alara is made up of designers, stylists, gemologists, jewelers, and dream brokers. We deliver service in a spirit that assumes jewelry shopping should be fun, not stressful. Our humor should in no way imply that we don’t know our stuff, or that we don’t take you and your needs seriously. We just don’t take ourselves too seriously.
There’s been a lot of hugs in our gallery. And happy tears. We feel your excitement and celebrate with you.
We take you seriously.
We take your needs seriously.
We just don't take ourselves too seriously!
HOWDY, POD’NER.
Ringleader
Babs
FAVE ASSIST: anything customers have been told by other jewelers that it “Can’t be done!”
3 FAVE DESIGNERS: Michael Jensen Designs, Steven Kretchmer, Gebrüder Schaffrath
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BZN: The people! Friendly, hard-working, and connected to Nature.
DAYS OFF? camping, backpacking, hiking, sitting on the front porch, whilst my sweetie plays guitar and sings
FUN FACT: my first job was private violin teacher
3 FAVE ANIMALS: owl (wise), monkey (funny), jaguar (graceful)
Rockslinger
Chantell
FAVE ASSIST: I love guiding client's through that whirlwind journey of purchasing an engagement ring. There's a ton of information to learn during that process... and I'm happy to provide all the details!
3 FAVE DESIGNERS: Alex Monroe, Rachel Atherley, & Adel Chefridi
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BZN: That you can drive 15 minutes in nearly any direction, and be hiking in the mountains.
DAYS OFF? Grabbing a sushi roll or two for lunch and ordering a chef's roll. Delicious food, a cold beer, and reading a good book does wonders for the soul.
FUN FACT: For a brief period, I dressed up as different Disney princesses for birthday parties and other events. I even have my own personal Elsa costume... "Let it Go!"
3 FAVE ANIMALS: red panda (charming), Honduran milk snake (feisty), and jaguar (dignified)
Dreambroker
Kaycee
FAVE ASSIST:Helping people with self-gifting
3 FAVE DESIGNERS:Alex Sepkus, Michael Jensen Designs, Ciara Easterling
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BZN: The vastness of the landscape
DAYS OFF? hiking, biking, camping, and the occasional foray
into the civilized world of the arts
FUN FACT: My bird calling skills are pretty legit, if you limit it to chickens and less intelligent cats/dogs
3 FAVE ANIMALS: horse (intuitive), dog (loyal), and magpie (tenacious)
CORUNDUM CONNOISSEUR
Michael
FAVE ASSIST: Loose gemstones. Specifically loose Montana sapphires!
3 FAVE DESIGNERS: Serafino Consoli, Todd Pownell, Michael Jensen Designs
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BZN: When you’re here, you’re family.
DAYS OFF? Taking a drive up through Hyalite in the mornings or traveling over to Yellowstone National Park for the day.
FUN FACT: I grew up in a military family - so I've lived in nineteen different houses in six separate states!
3 FAVE ANIMALS: grizzly bear (bold), hammerhead shark (bad-ass), and nautilus (weird)
THE GOLDFATHER
Shannon
FAVE ASSIST: Discovering a perfect gift for someone special. It is like a treasure hunt in here! Helping with the design process, especially looking at loose stones!
3 FAVE DESIGNERS: Lord Jewelry, Gebrüder Schaffrath, Michael Jensen
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BZN: parks, Peet's Hill, hidden water spots, Wild Crumb
DAYS OFF? exploring the mountains, cooking, writing,
making jewelry, drinking coffee
FUN FACT: lived in a van, worked on a hemp farm in Oregon, traveled through Cali, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas... and then headed back to Montana to live off the land and farm here in Montana.
3 FAVE ANIMALS: snow owl (stillness), horse (freedom), jaguar (mystery)
Princess Sparkles
KATE
FAVE ASSIST: Taking beautiful photos of beautiful jewelry for appraisals and the website
3 FAVE DESIGNERS: Erika Winters, Alex Sepkus, & GHINI
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BZN: The sharp fresh scent of mountain air
DAYS OFF? Writing, digital drawing, video games, walking and running outside, & hanging out with my cats and husband
FUN FACT: I am attempting to write a fantasy novel - we'll see how it goes!
3 FAVE ANIMALS: ferrets (floppy), cats (meowy), & cheetah (regal)
Jill of all Trades
Izzy
FAVE ASSIST: Helping people start their engagement ring mission! It is so fun to watch inspiration build as they try on different metals and styles. There is something so special about being someone's first point of contact in this beautiful process
3 FAVE DESIGNERS: Alex Sepkus, Lord, and Michael Jensen
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BZN: The fishing, of course! Also, I love that this is a dog town. There are so many cute pups in every direction
DAYS OFF? If I am not out on the river, I enjoy visiting our local thrift shops and spending way too much money on trinkets and cool mugs
FUN FACT: I auditioned for American Idol when I was 18! I made it to the round right before you get to sing in front of the celebrity judges
3 FAVE ANIMALS: A dog (courageous), a flicker (independant), and a turtle (wisdom)
MARKETING GURU
Tonja
FAVE ASSIST: Drinks, LOL. Love hanging out at Alara during our fun events.
3 FAVE DESIGNERS: Barbi C Pearls, Sarah Graham, Suzy Landa
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BZN: Small town. Lots of non-chain
restaurants
DAYS OFF? Spending time with my hubby and kids, upcycling furniture or working on a house project.
FUN FACT: People tend to feel super comfortable around me and tell me their life secrets, right away. Also,
people everywhere I’ve been tell me they feel like they've met me before. Familiar face? Old soul?
3 FAVE ANIMALS: donkey (goofy), cat (cuddly), and dog (loyal)
