Today’s Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx interview is with jewelry designer Jill Davis, who made my sister’s favorite necklace ever! I bought a simple sterling silver heart necklace for her birtday at last spring’s Art Star Craft Bazaar in Philly, and she just loved it. Wears it every day! So, I just had to get in touch with Jill to interview her. Read it below.
What’s the name of your business, what do create and sell and how did you get your start?
My business is J Davis Studio on Etsy (also at jillkdavisjewelry.com), but Jill K Davis Jewelry officially. I make playful, yet striking, sterling silver and 14 k gold-plated brass jewelry in my studio in Brooklyn, NY. I started with a BFA in Metalsmithing at Syracuse University, where I first began developing my Tiny House jewelry line. After graduating, I went to work as a polisher in a repair shop in a mall jewelry store in Michigan. I did learn to do jewelry repair, but after two years, I was completely creatively stunted and I was craving more. So I enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC in their Jewelry Design Studio one year program and learned the ropes of the jewelry industry in the city. After I graduated, I began Jill K Davis Jewelry and I’ve been in Brooklyn ever since.
What’s something you’ve learned as an adult that you wish you knew as a kid?
That no one is paying attention as closely as you think they are. You can leave the house sometimes with a wrinkled shirt with a toothpaste stain on it. No one notices that your hair looks a little funny today. And, no one saw you trip and if they did, they really don’t care.
I was voted Most Likely to Lead a Disco Revolution, Class of 2000. What can I say? I liked bright patterns, sparkles and platforms in high school.
Oh, yes indeed! My Mom still calls me “Miss Mess” because I was always working on something, usually a few things, in different rooms of the house. Which I, of course, wouldn’t clean up. I sewed clothes for my Barbies, I made my own dolls, I made lots and lots of jewelry out of everything imaginable. I made dollhouse furniture and accessories from all kinds of things. My love of dollhouses and miniatures and tiny things obviously still informs my work today.
I was born and raised in Ohio, so of course my favorite cookie is the Buckeye. Peanut butter, chocolate and no baking involved. How can you go wrong?
I usually halve this recipe because it makes 166 cookies. Not that there’s anything wrong with that!
Buckeye Cookies
2 lb creamy peanut butter1 lb butter, room temperature3 lb confectioners’ sugar2 pkg (12-oz size) chocolate chips1/2 bar paraffin (optional)
- Mix peanut butter and butter together with sugar until smooth.
- Form small balls and refrigerate.
- Melt slowly chocolate chips and paraffin together in a saucepan. (I use the microwave)
- Dip buckeyes in chocolate with a toothpick. Let dry on wax paper.
If you decide not to use the paraffin, make sure to store in the refrigerator.
I would take the free time, definitely. If I had more time, I could make myself plenty of money!
As a micro business owner, Indie not only means “independent” but “independence.”
Oh, choosing just 3 things was so hard!
- I just love these Instant Comfort Boxes from Kim’s Little Monsters. What a great, unexpected way to show someone how much you care.
- This reversible skirt by Rocks and Salt is also right up my alley. Two comfy skirts for the price of one in great colors that you’re not going to find everywhere.
- Architecture and metallics are two of my favorite things and both can found in this dramatic print by Nate Duval.
Christmas is coming, people! And I’ve been very good this year 😉
That ring is just adorable. Stunning craftsmanship. Thanks for sharing.
Andrew
great interview! I love that little house ring!