Father’s Day is a time to reflect on the wisdom, strength, and quiet guidance our dads and father figures have shared with us throughout our lives. Here at llyn strong fine art jewelry, located at 1322 E. Washington St. in Midtown Greenville, SC, we wanted to do something a little more personal this year. In honor of the day, we asked each member of our team to share a bit about their fathers – the lessons they’ve passed down, the quirks that make them unforgettable, and the advice that has stuck with them throughout the years. As a small, female-owned custom jewelry store, we know how important personal stories are – and we’re excited to celebrate the ones that shaped us.
Sydney Strong – Owner of llyn strong fine art jewelry and Graduate Gemologist
It’s rare to see my dad without a smile. His name is Buddy and he sure is the “buddyist” of all buddies. His kindness, gentleness and easygoing personality has always been a constant to me. He is thoughtful, creative, an incredible musician, and passionate about things important to him. He taught me to be silly, not to take everything too seriously – until you need to, pay attention to details, slow down and smell the fresh bread occasionally, and to not sweat the small stuff. “Dad Jokes” were always one of his specialties. He is patient and caring and has taught me to be unapologetically exactly who I am. Love you, Dad!
Kate Lowrey – CAD Technician at llyn strong fine art jewelry
My dad is such a smart, handy, and funny man. I can’t imagine where I would be without him. He has always inspired curiosity in the natural world, and he is a bottomless well of facts, information, and puns!! He has always encouraged me to be creative by making up stories which were a huge part of my childhood. He has always supported my dreams and was there with a guiding hand at the times I felt directionless.
Erin Stuart – Head Goldsmith and Stone Setter at llyn strong fine art jewelry
My dad is thoughtful, handy and hilarious. He is also who I get my good looks from!! Always learning new skills and fixing things, he taught me that patience and determination can be superpowers. He showed me that caring for others is important and to always be curious. The best advice he has given me is to not be afraid to ask questions and that some rules are meant to be broken!
Faron Justice – Goldsmith and Stone Setter at llyn strong fine art jewelry
My dad is an amazing and wonderful father. He has taught me so much and is such a talented and successful architect. Some advice he always gave me growing up was, “Work hard for what you want to do in life, but make sure that what you do makes you happy.” I wouldn’t be where I am today without him!
Azniv Chorbadjian – Goldsmith and Stone Setter at llyn strong fine art jewelry
My dad is an artist and musician. He came to the United States from Cyprus to study music. After university, he started his own business making custom frames and eventually producing internationally sought-after finials. I admire how multifaceted his talents are, from painting restoration to probably being the best cook ever. Advice my dad has given me is to slow down and take one step at a time in order to accomplish your goals.
Emily Karamol – Assistant Goldsmith and Inventory Manager at llyn strong fine art jewelry
My dad is such a smart and passionate man. He is a strong-willed person that perseveres through any hardships that he faces. As a test engineer, he not only works hard and thinks logically, but he gets to try to break things for a living. My dad is very loving and silly, and I love to joke and laugh along with him. He’s taught me so much, from building with wood, to giving me advice on how to respond to frustrating situations. He’s always keeping me on the edge of my seat as my number one Mario Kart racing rival as well! I always look forward to our next match!!
llyn strong – Founder, Chief Creative Officer and now Paid Mascot at llyn strong fine art jewelry
My father, Bob Sargent, was a military man with a creative side. The joke between my brother, sister and I was that when my father said jump, we all said, “how high?” That comes from him being in the military. He was also a great writer and journalist and wrote while he was in the Navy, then for our local newspaper and outdoor magazines. My father encouraged me to work very hard to achieve my goals in life, that honesty and integrity and your name were most important, and he was always very proud of everything that I accomplished. I wish he could see my daughter today. He would be so proud of how she is carrying on my legacy!
One thing is very clear – our fathers’ words helped shape who we are today – strong, creative women building something meaningful here in the South. Whether it is a simple “be yourself” or a gentle reminder to treat people right, their wisdom still guides us in our work and in our lives. At llyn strong fine art jewelry, every piece we create carries a bit of that legacy – crafted with care, rooted in love, and meant to be passed down. This Father’s Day, we honor our dads who taught us to lead with heart and live with purpose. We love you!