Hi Ho Silver Staff
Ron Schreiber, Owner/Proprietor
Meet Ron Schreiber, owner and operator of Hi Ho Silver. Ron was introduced into the world of silversmithing and jewelry making quite by accident 37 years ago, when his VW broke down just outside of Apache Junction, Arizona in 1972. Fresh out of the service, without a car, and with no money to speak of, the Nebraska farm boy landed a job working for Don Melucci, a local jeweler doing menial tasks and cutting cabochons. Don also taught him the rare art of silversmithing.
Ron then began to develop his natural affinity for working with precious metals and stones by attending 3 semesters at Mesa Community College. In 1974, on a trip to visit some friends in Minong, Wisconsin, he drove through Hayward and stopped at one of the biggest tourist attractions back in the day...Tony Wise's Historyland Park. It was there that he met Bob Dege, owner of Hi Ho Silver and kindred spirit in the art of silversmithing and jewelry making. The two became fast friends, and kept in touch over the years. In 1975, Bob decided to move to Colorado, and offered to sell the business to Ron. The rest is... well.... history.
Ron spent 6 years at Historyland before moving the shop to downtown Hayward in 1981. Currently, Hi Ho Silver is in its 8th incarnation in the old Wise Building on the corner of Second and Main Street in Hayward. This is by far Ron's favorite location, and he plans on putting some permanent roots there. It's only fitting that Hi Ho Silver started in a Tony Wise venture, and ends up coming full circle to rest in another.
Hi Ho Silver is a working gold and silversmith. The majority of Ron's work is custom with great attention to detail. He also networks with 100's of artisans around the country to bring you the finest handmade jewelry found anywhere. In addition to carrying gold and silver, Hi Ho Silver also is a dealer for Benchmark Knives, Swiss Army Watches, Trollbeads, and rare precious stones like Zultanite. Ron also has antique and one of a kind pieces that are available here on the website.
Julie Barnaby, Store Manager
Julie began her employment at Hi Ho Silver 10 years ago and currently fills the position of Store Manager. Born and raised in Winter, Wisconsin in the Southern portion of Sawyer County, she "wandered into the store one day" while in Hayward, and the rest is history. Julie holds accreditation with the Gemology Institute of America for identifying and grading diamonds and colored stones. Her favorite line of jewelery at Hi Ho Silver is Trollbeads. In fact she's a self proclaimed addict. "Once you start collecting them, you just can't stop."
Sara Jaeckel, Sales Associate
Sara, a Hayward native, has been working as a Sales Associate during the summer months at Hi Ho Silver for the last 3 years. The rest of the year is spent as a full time student at U.W. River Falls where she is majoring in Elementary Education. She also cites Trollbeads as her favorite aspect of employment at Hi Ho Silver because "each piece of jewelry is unique to the individual who buys it." As you can see, she also has a special place in her heart for the store's Norske skier mascot.
Beth Lang, Sales Associate
Beth is a newest Sales Associate to join the Hi Ho Silver staff. She's a Hayward native as well, but spent many years in Flandreau, South Dakota before making her way back to the area. Baltic amber and pearls catch Beth's eye because "every piece is different- you'll never find two that look completely the same. They're little masterpieces created by nature."