About DROO

DROO is my second attempt at creating a luxury brand rooted in silver and gold. The idea began during a trip to New York, when I visited the MET. While wandering through the Egyptian wing, I came across several gold pieces from the Old Kingdom. I was completely captivated by their beauty and the craftsmanship behind them. Seeing what could be achieved over 5,000 years ago sparked something in me—I knew right then that I had to try working with precious metals.

I started experimenting with silver in my basement, making a few pieces as a hobby. For about a year, I focused on making gifts and things I wanted for myself. I wasn’t trying to sell anything, just learning and creating. Around Christmas, I made a belt buckle as a gift, and the result turned out surprisingly well. Enough people encouraged me to start selling that I decided to give it a try.

That winter, I launched Hancock Designs, focusing mainly on silver belt buckles. Over the next few years, I steadily improved both my skills and equipment. I carved out a small niche making high-end modern western silver apparel, often inspired by the Aspen leaf motif—a nod to my hometown. But I eventually realized the niche was too narrow for meaningful growth, and I started to burn out. I had spent years making what I thought other people wanted, and it began to drain the joy from the process. Eventually, Hancock Designs ran its course, and I decided to step away from metalsmithing for a while.

But I couldn’t stay away for long.

I began experimenting again, this time with new designs and unfamiliar techniques. After a few months, I had created several fresh concepts—and more importantly, I was enjoying the process again. I knew it was time for a new chapter. I wanted a clean start, something that captured the spirit of curiosity and play. That’s when DROO was born.

Today, I use advanced manufacturing techniques that the ancient Egyptians could have only dreamed of—but I also incorporate traditional methods that were practiced back then too. DROO is about making what I want to make. It’s about fun. It’s about reimagining the everyday—taking modern iconography and familiar forms, and casting them in a new light. It’s about finding beauty in the mundane.

The “Aspen Collection” lives on at DROO, a tribute to Hancock Designs, carrying forward my connection to the place and the themes I’ve long explored. But the future of DROO is about much more. I want to explore the relationship between utility and vanity—the interplay between function and ornament. This brand is a personal experiment, and I’m excited to see where it leads. I hope you find these new pieces as exciting and fun as I do.