I have an educational background in interior design and retail merchandising. Both of these skills are utilized in managing and building my Jewelry business, Jillian Designs. I've been designing and selling my jewelry since 2002, it started with family and friends and has evolved into a thriving business. Most of my clientele comes from my on line Etsy shop JillianDesigns4u. It has given me the opportunity to offer my designs around the world, and that is exciting. Jillian Designs participants in a few local boutiques, giving my clients a chance to see the original jewelry designs in person.
I design and make a variety of modern jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets and earrings featuring semiprecious stones, freshwater pearls, sterling silver, natural brass and leather. My jewelry designs are original, limited edition pieces, created using attention to detail and quality supplies.

And this is how it started.....
I've always loved rocks. As a child, walking with my mom, picking agates out of the millions of stones on the gravel road that ran by my house. And now, as an adult, I still come home from vacations with rocks in my luggage.
This love of rocks transformed from road gravel to shiny rocks in jewelry. During college I worked in a boutique shop and fell I love with the sterling silver and semiprecious stone jewelry sold there. I collect special pieces featuring different kinds of semiprecious stones. I was always shopping for better quality jewelry in special boutiques, locally and on every vacation. I thought how great would it be to be able to create my own unique jewelry.

When I started to design jewelry I wanted to use quality materials and semiprecious stones were my favorite. All of my jewelry is crafted by my hands using the materials I love; semiprecious stones, freshwater pearls, sterling silver, leather and high quality natural brass (all nickel and lead free). Every skill I use to create my jewelry has been self taught. Some techniques include: Hand stamping, hammered texture and wire wrap. So much more to learn, each new technique I pick up helps to enrich my designs and keep them looking fresh. It's exciting to develop a new skill to use in my business.

My design style has definitely developed through the years. I actually cringe when I come across some of my early designs. I always try to add new elements to my projects. I strive to keep designs fresh by thinking of inventive ways to combine materials to produce new and interesting designs. I pay great attention to detail when creating and assembling each design to produce beautiful and unique, affordable, quality jewelry.

Opening my Etsy shop opened new opportunities. It's exciting to know that there are many people within the US and quite a few different countries wearing my creations. It gives me a little thrill to know my jewelry is getting astound the world, I only wish I could be as well travelled.

Jewelry is the end result, but there is much more that needs to be done to get my creations ready and available for others to enjoy. As the owner I wear many hats: Supply purchasing, design brain storming, skilled product production, packaging, quality control, marketing, photographing and then office duties (my least favorite). I think it's a small price to pay in order to do what I enjoy and have the control over the end result.

Although I do enjoy working alone, the company of my two dogs, both chihuahua terrier mixes, is always welcome, keeping me entertained.

I love designing jewelry and hope you will enjoy my creations. It's an amazing feeling to have someone admire something I’ve made; and the ultimate compliment to see them wearing a piece that I’ve designed.
My store offers a variety of necklaces, bracelets and earrings many of which feature semiprecious stones, freshwater pearls, sterling silver and natural brass and leather. My jewelry designs are limited editions. When the supply of materials I used for a design is gone I move on to new materials and another new design.