I first met Maria Harlan 12 years ago when she was a student at CSU. She volunteered at one of our first fashion markets and has since then graduated, moved to Arizona, had a decade a life and life brought her back to Colorado! It is so fun to have Maria IN our fashion market, all grown up 🙂

Let’s learn a little bit about Maria and her line of jewelry Prickly Hearts. …

What was your first memory of fashion inspiration that you can remember? 

I remember visiting my Grandparents in Iowa every summer and them having these huge JCPenny catalogs.  I would spend hours going through them and tearing out all of my favorite styles and creating vision boards with them.  I must have been 7 or 8!  

What motivated you to start your own fashion business?

I was avid browser on Etsy and decided one day that I should just go for it!  I opened a shop and never looked back.  I was itching for my creative outlet to mean more than a hobby to me.

What inspires your designs? 

The seasons and color! 

What are your thoughts about the fashion industry here in Denver?

It has been great to see it evolve over the years bring so many creative minds together.  There is so much amazing talent in Denver and I know it will only grow into a bigger industry here!

What is one of your favorite pieces that you have ever designed and why?

I designed this oversized statement necklace with green chrysoprase and a natural stone bird feather pendant with gold edging.  The design came to me so effortlessly and I remember how happy I was so see the idea transfer over into the actual piece!  In that moment I felt nothing but happiness for my passion and knew I made the right decision to take the leap in starting my own business.

 3 Things if stranded on an island?

Chapstick
Unlimited music supply
Hammock