Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Gone.
Hi Marissa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely. My journey into jewelry started at home, quite literally, watching my abuela (grandmother) handcraft beautiful pieces for her friends, coworkers, and community. She had this magical way of turning beads, wire, and stones into something personal and meaningful. It wasn’t just about the jewelry, it was about how she made people feel. That energy really stayed with me. I still have many of her original pieces in our collection, and to this day, she’s still crafting — her work continues to inspire everything I do.
Years later, while working in a dispensary for the first time, someone asked me if I could make them a custom roach clip and that one question changed everything. I realized there was a real need for high fashion cannabis accessories that felt personal, beautiful, and elevated. That’s when I merged my love for jewelry with my new role in the cannabis space, and Sweeder was born.
We started with my abuela’s handmade bracelets and necklaces, and from there expanded into roach clips, dab tools, and functional jewelry pieces that blend intention, healing, and style. Today, you’ll still find my abuela’s jewels at our pop-ups and online, right alongside our cannabis-friendly accessories.
What started as a side passion has grown from online and in-person markets to now being featured in select dispensary retail locations across Maryland and D.C. Our pop-up events are known for their DIY craft stations, where you can design your own roach clips, dab tools, or bracelets — a space that celebrates creativity, community, and self-expression.
This journey hasn’t been linear or easy, but it’s been full of purpose. I’m so grateful to be building something rooted in love, legacy, and the belief that our tools, like our jewelry, can be sacred.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road? Definitely not, but it’s been a meaningful one.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is the constant censorship that comes with working in the cannabis space, even though my products are accessories and not actual flower or THC products. Because I sell what platforms label as “paraphernalia,” I’ve been banned or restricted from running ads, using basic features, and even accessing payment processors. It’s exhausting trying to build visibility when the digital space isn’t built to support us, which is why so many of us now use code words like “gardening” just to stay online.
Even today, navigating social media while staying compliant with community guidelines is like walking on eggshells. There have been days where my shop was taken offline or I couldn’t process sales simply because my products were too “taboo” for the platform, even though they’re handmade, artistic, and created with love.
On top of that, I was working two separate 9-5 jobs at different times — and in both, I was told I could no longer work on my business. In both cases, it was framed as a conflict, but the reality was that Sweeder and their brands could have complemented each other. It felt more like they saw the potential in my brand and didn’t want me to grow beyond needing them. That experience pushed me to go all in on myself, and now, I’m sustaining myself fully through Sweeder.
Running this business solo hasn’t been easy. I still rely on my Abuela, the original crafter, who continues to make our signature bracelets and necklaces. Her presence keeps the heart of the brand alive. I’m also deeply thankful for my sister, who helps during large-scale pop-ups whenever she’s not focused on finishing her degree. While I do carry a lot of the logistics, vision, and growth strategy on my own, Sweeder is still very much a family-rooted brand, and I’m proud of that.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Sweeder is a custom, handmade jewelry brand that blends style, spirituality, and cannabis culture. We specialize in creating high-fashion 420 accessories like roach clips, dab tools, and diffuser necklaces, all designed with intention and made to stand out.
I’m most proud of betting on myself this past year and seeing Sweeder launch in multiple retail dispensary locations across Maryland. That growth came from staying true to my roots, we’re still a family-run brand, with my Abuela handcrafting bracelets and necklaces and my sister helping during pop-ups. What sets Sweeder apart is the love behind every piece, and the community we continue to build around creativity, healing, and self-expression.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is visiting Luray Caverns. After exploring the caves, we stopped at the little gift shops in town, and I remember being completely mesmerized by all the crystals and geodes. I talked my family into letting me buy a few, and up until last week, I still had this beautiful geode coaster that always served as a sweet reminder of that day. But, a cat will be a cat, and mine knocked it off the shelf and shattered it. Still, the memory is just as vivid.
Pricing:
- Bracelets range $11-45
- Necklaces $20-150
- 420 Tools $20-$30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TheSweeder.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweederlife/
