Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Jay's foray into the hobby began in early 2019 when he stumbled across collector and sales groups on Facebook. His collection initially comprised a mix of vintage art bars, generic rounds, and modern collectibles. However, it was when Jay observed a higher premium on hand-poured bars that he became intrigued by melting silver. With 20 years' experience in the trades as a heavy equipment mechanic and a formal education in metallurgy and metalworks, trying his hand at pouring seemed a logical step. After melting a single Canadian Maple coin, his then 10-year-old daughter, Hayley, peered into the garage out of curiosity. Fascinated by the art of hand-poured silver, she eagerly joined in, donning safety gear to melt and pour their second piece, thus marking the beginning of their journey.
Starting with graphite molds and letter stamps, Jay and Hayley crafted their initial bars, selling them on a Facebook sales group. Encouraged by the community, Hayleybug Art Pours was born. For nearly the following two years, they honed their skills in hand pours, progressing from graphite molds to petro bond sand casting and finally finding their stride with delft clay. Casting various pop culture items and statues, showcased through live pours on Facebook and Instagram, bolstered their popularity. Jay's drive to improve, coupled with his engineering background and access to design programs, led him to construct a 100-ton, and later a 200-ton, tabletop press, proving cost-effective for a hobbyist. Creating custom tooling, they ventured into minting their 1-ounce, 39mm silver rounds, igniting a surge in sales and prompting a name change.
Hayleybug Mint LLC was established in early 2021, prompting Jay to transition from his trade job to focus entirely on the brand by year's end. Collaborations, tooling enhancements, and an increased social media presence elevated Hayleybug Mint's recognition, with their products appearing in more collections. While Hayley remains active in production, balancing her duties with school and social life, Jay's son, Jaycob, recently joined the family business full-time after graduating high school in 2023, eager to learn the craft and contribute.
Despite Hayleybug Mint's growth, their ethos remains steadfast: "making cool stuff for cool people." As a family business from the Midwest, they anticipate unveiling numerous new products, eagerly awaited by collectors and dealers alike. Their message persists: "Be kind to one another and remember Peace, Love, and Hayleybug."
Jay Schwab
International Association of Silver Art Collectors
IASAC, PO Box 1262, Millbrook, AL 36054
Copyright © 2024 The International Association of Silver Art Collectors - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.