“There are just a lot of really good people in this valley,” explains small business owner, Danielle Watt. Watt, a Shadyside, OH native, and an experienced silversmith, recently opened up a brick and mortar storefront, River Valley Designs, in the historic Centre Market area. Silversmiths fabricate jewelry from raw silver, and Watt has been working as such for the last 15 years. “I am a self-taught silversmith. I read and studied every book on metallurgy and technique that I could get my hands on. I’m a big believer in that you can learn the most from your mistakes. I just practiced and practiced until it clicked,” explains Watt. She also began doing permanent jewelry, a technique where a piece of jewelry is soldered together so it stays on the body full time, three years ago, often hosting pop-up events at now neighboring business, VC Wares.
From Home Studio to Centre Market
“I had an online shop for several years and operated out of my home studio. That allowed me to be home while my son grew up,” Watt says. Ultimately the business took off, and Watt was encouraged to open a storefront. “It’s interesting because this exact space (that River Valley is currently located) was opened years ago, but the timing wasn’t quite right. I ended up opening a storefront in St. Clairsville for a time, but I yearned for Centre Market. Something about it just felt like home,” states Watt.
An Artist’s Resilience
This January, in the midst of a back to back breast cancer diagnosis, years of longing came to fruition as she signed the lease in Centre Market. Watt officially opened River Valley Designs last month. She maintains a large social media presence with local, national, and international following under “River Valley Designs” on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. “I was able to share my cancer journey with others,” Watt states, “And now I regularly see some of those followers face to face.” Watt is currently finished with active treatment and is in maintenance treatment. “We truly service the nicest clients, many of whom come in and explain they’re going through what I went through.”
Inside River Valley Designs
Watt goes on to credit the community with creating such a positive and creative vibe. “I am simply so happy to be in Centre Market.” When you visit the store, you’ll likely see Watt herself or her best friend of 35 years, Heidi. They offer both the warmest smiles and the utmost knowledge. River Valley Designs, located at 2261 Market Street, offers a wide variety of sales including handmade jewelry, design opportunities for accessories like unique hats, build your own charm bracelet and necklace section, permanent jewelry, and gorgeous clothing. The store front is open Wednesdays-Fridays from 11-5 and Saturdays from 11-4.
