Our final designer interview is with Jennifer Zeuner who has quickly gained a strong customer following for her gorgeous, delicate jewelry pendants and charms, and the inspiring and comforting meanings of each.

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jennifer has had stars in her eyes for the world of fashion from a young age, but she hesitated because she wasn’t sure whether or not she could make it. She attended Tufts University in Massachusetts at seventeen to study Psychology and Communications. After graduating she pursued Public Relations and worked in a PR firm in Miami, where she honed the marketing skills that she would need when she did start her own company. Jennifer said, “I learned a lot of the tools necessary for marketing my jewelry line. Public Relations was challenging and fun but didn’t satisfy my urge to be artistic. A few years later, I started designing and making jewelry.”

Her careful intentions are expressed in her designs, and those intentions resonate as strongly with us as the beauty of the designs. “I always embraced the island’s spiritual energy,” Jennifer said of her hometown, and though that was one of her strongest sources of inspiration, she also found it in unexpected places, like from the compliments her friends paid her. We were thrilled to catch up with Jennifer Zeuner because we’re confident that yes, she has made it.

Max and Chloe Have you always wanted to design things?
Jennifer Zeuner When I was a young girl in Puerto Rico, I longed to be a clothing designer. My father manufactured clothing and I grew up reading WWD and Vogue. My favorite place to hang out was my father’s factory. I don’t know why, but as I got older, I didn’t feel it was realistic to make it as a designer and I lost sight of my true passion. Eventually, I returned to what I absolutely love.

M&C How did you decide to become a jewelry designer? How did you get started?
Jennifer Initially designing and making jewelry was a creative outlet (a quiet escape from raising two young boys). It satisfied my need to literally “create” with my hands. I didn’t envision it becoming a profitable business. However, it quickly became a “business” as the orders started coming in. I never really planned it. It sort of just happened. One day someone asked if I worked and it clicked. I was a jewelry designer. It’s true that when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.

M&C What is your favorite creation?
Jennifer I had made a hand (hamsa) pendant necklace for a friend and attached an eye at the clasp. She looked at it and told me she felt double the protection because the hand was in the front and the eye lay on her neck. The realization that a necklace could have a symbolic component that was hidden on the back of the necklace inspired me to make my best seller, the double protection necklace. It’s a 25″ reversible necklace that instead of a clasp has only 2 pendants (eye/hand), one on each end. After designing the double protection, my favorite necklace, I went on to make double luck (horseshoe/clover), peace/om and star /moon.

M&C How would you describe your jewelry?
Jennfier My jewelry is a reflection of my personal style, simple with a Bohemian twist. Also because it’s simple, it lends itself to be layered. I love wearing my favorite vest with a dress or jeans, different every time. The same goes for my jewelry. The same simple piece can reflect a different mood when layered and worn differently.

M&C Have you ever expressed yourself through another path apart from jewelry design?
Jennifer Personally, I’ve always expressed myself through my style. I consider my look to be laid back, practical and somewhat bohemian. I never straighten my naturally wavy hair. If I tuck my shirt in, I’ll make sure its not perfectly done. I make an effort to look like getting ready and dressed was effortless.

M&C When did you realize that this dream was something you could pursue wholeheartedly?
Jennifer I realized it when I walked into Intermix in South Beach about 4 years ago and the district manager, Claudia, asked me where I bought my necklace, one of my first creations. She literally called the buyer and told her to buy the entire line!! I had been shopping at the Intermix in NYC for at least ten years and to know the buyer was going to check out my line was a “Wow” moment. Soon after I was honored by Gen Art as one of their fresh faces in fashion.

M&C How did you prepare yourself for the business and marketing aspect of your company?
Jennifer I didn’t! I learned along the way. Instinctively, I knew what the next step was. For instance, getting your pieces in the right retailers is important. They have to be a reflection of your jewelry. It’s important to be selective. The right retailer such as maxandchloe.com has to complement the jewelry’s image.

M&C What inspires you in everyday life?
Jennifer People that have their own, unique style inspire me. I love to see people put things together in a creative, unexpected yet cohesive way. Cameron Diaz was the first celebrity to buy my pieces. I was extremely honored because I consider her style an inspiration.

M&C How would you describe your ideal jewelry?
Jennifer My ideal jewelry is simple, practical and reflective of who I am. I’m not into representing brands. I like to represent who I am with my jewelry. I gravitate towards symbolic and personal pieces. My ideal jewelry offers a glimpse of oneself.

M&C What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
Jennifer My favorite piece of jewelry right now is the large hand (hamsa) and white wood bead bracelet. I love that it’s dramatic yet simple and a little bohemian.

M&C What is your favorite trend?
Jennifer My favorite trend is layering. I can buy the same piece as my best friend and wear it totally differently. I can layer my bangles with beads or wear that short initial necklace with a long rosary chain. With layering the opportunities are endless.

M&C What do you hope to accomplish as a jewelry designer?
Jennifer I hope to set an example for my 3 sons. I want them to know that “success” is when you do what you love. I truly believe that everyone has a gift and a talent. If they follow their passion success will come. I wanted to design jewelry because I love it. That’s it. I look forward to loving it for a long time!!

Tags: designer interview | Jennifer Zeuner

Bright, cheerful earrings and stunning, breathtaking necklaces are the gorgeous items by New York based company Calico Juno Designs that we could not resist carrying for you. Bonnie Riconda, the creative head and lead designer of Calico Juno Designs, became passionate about different forms of the arts, but she always feared that she wouldn’t be able to pursue what she loved because it wouldn’t be financially secure. Her chance came when she entered a bead store and was instantly inspired by the exciting colors to start dreaming up patters and start making her own jewelry. As soon as she dived in head first with the passion she felt for creating something chic and fresh, Calico Juno garnered quick lasting success and the rest is history. Calico Juno has been extremely successful. Her customers can’t get enough of the gorgeous chic earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry, and the fact that each pieces is handmade either by the artist or someone on her team with her intentions in mind has increased their value tenfold. Read more about how she got started and where she finds her inspiration in this exclusive interview.

Max and Chloe: Have you always wanted to design things?
Bonnie Riconda: I’ve been creating pieces since I was very young, and drawing has been my passion since I was 2 years old.  But I’ve always been very creative, it’s just a God-given talent, I guess, and I always have to be creating something, no matter with what material.

M&C: How did you decide to become a jewelry designer?
Bonnie: It actually happened by accident.  Even though a life-long friend has been a professional jewelry designer, it didn’t occur to me until I found a bead store while I was in grad school (for painting and sculpture) and fell in love with all the colors and shapes of the beads.  I bought some cheap beads, wire, and tools, and started experimenting.  It’s been a long trial-and-error process, as I didn’t learn any techniques from anyone else. I’ve been totally self-taught.

M&C: What is your favorite creation?
Bonnie: My newest line, Luxe Bijoux…all the hammered designs, that are very curvilinear and scrolly, and then wrapped with precious gemstones like blue topaz and pink sapphire. The colors are so brilliant.  I love how the linear aspect  of the design is intertwined with bright colors.

M&C: How would you describe your jewelry?
Bonnie: All totally handmade…that’s an integral, very important part…it has the look of the artist’s hands on the design. All of my designs are original, many are organic shapes and hammered, which I think gives it an old-world ancient feel.  Also all the brightly colored stones, most of which dangle and shimmy, give movement and life to the design.

M&C: How did you get started?
Bonnie: Once I had what I felt were enough designs that I could do something with it, I created a website to showcase my designs. Then I started contacting magazine editors to try to get my designs in the magazines, which I feel is very important, and  I went about contacting stores all over, to open up wholesale accounts – we sell both wholesale and retail.  Early on, when I got a design on the jewelry pages of InStyle, everything exploded, and we became very busy, and I had to hire on help, not only to help make the jewelry (which is very, very difficult to find anyone to do this type of jewelry!) but also help with PR and website creation and maintenance.

M&C: Who do you admire?
Bonnie: There are many people I admire, some have nothing to do with jewelry.  Those figures who have started, created, built major companies…I can appreciate the work and drive involved.  And there are some specific jewelry designers that seem to be doing very well, not only creating their beautiful jewelry, but also in the whole business of creating a thriving and profitable business out of something creative, which is not an easy task.  On that note, I have to also say I admire and respect the people who work with me; they keep things running smoothly and are an integral part of Calico Juno. 

M&C: Have you ever expressed yourself through another path apart from jewelry design?
Bonnie: Of course!  It’s always been through something creative, whether painting or drawing, fashion design, music, ceramics, etc…The list is endless.

M&C: Where did you grow up, where did you go to college, and what did you study?
Bonnie: In the small town of Hanover, PA, just outside of Gettysburg.  Too small for me though…I needed to move out as soon as I could. I’ve actually been to 6 schools including grad school at C.W. Post of Long Island University, with a focus on painting and sculpture in abstract-expressionistic figurative study.  I only went to school for my own personal interests. I wanted to be immersed in the whole creative atmosphere, not because I thought I could get a good job with an MFA! 

M&C: Can you describe your favorite piece of jewelry from your childhood?
Bonnie: I loved the leather rat-tail cord material, which I knotted to make simple bracelets. I made and wore a whole stack of them, and wore them until they literally fell off, which took over a year.  That was actually before Madonna wore all her rubber bracelets!

M&C: When did you realize that this dream was something you could pursue wholeheartedly?
Bonnie: From the very beginning when I started creating the jewelry and selling a few pieces online, I realized the potential for a good profit margin.  This was something new to me, because as with anything else I ever did creatively, I felt like there really wasn’t potential to make a living at it. But, I would certainly still be making my jewelry even if I weren’t making a living at it, as I’m totally enamored of the whole process and could do it 24/7.

M&C: How did you prepare yourself for the business and marketing aspect of your company? 
Bonnie: I didn’t really “prepare”…I just started making jewelry, and anything I sold, I put the profits back into the business.  I started out using my credit cards to buy materials, never taking out any loans from anywhere…but once I got going, I paid them off and just used the profits to keep expanding.  I mentioned the marketing aspect before when I got started, how I contacted magazine editors, then paid a PR firm to handle all of that.  Even now, we are constantly doing research, finding new places to send information to and open up new accounts. 

M&C: Where do you travel to?
Bonnie: Usually just to my backyard or the nearby beach.

M&C: What inspires you in everyday life?
Bonnie: Definitely colors…and the organic shapes found in nature.

M&C: What is the most important thing you have learned about who you are since you’ve started to pursue your dream of designing jewelry?
Bonnie: That I can (mostly) juggle 10 plates in the air…there’s always something going on that needs my attention, many different tasks and personalities that one has to deal with on a daily basis.

M&C: How would you describe your ideal jewelry?
Bonnie: Calico Juno Designs…sorry, but I make what I love to wear!

M&C: What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
Bonnie: That’s a tough one…I’m proud of my “Tree of Life” necklace, but to wear, something along the lines of my new line Luxe Bijoux, with the curvilinear shapes and bright precious gemstones…

M&C: What is your favorite trend?
Bonnie: I don’t do/follow trends.

M&C: What do you hope to accomplish as a jewelry designer?
Bonnie: Just to keep growing and expanding my repertoire of ideas…I have too many ideas and too little time!

Tags: Calico Juno | designer interview

Arena CPH is a collaboration of classy, sophisticated designers. The magic of Arena CPH can be found in the harmony of the collections; although the jewelry is created by a group of designers, the collaboration is seamless while still allowing for the individuality of each designer. We interviewed one of the most talented jewelry designers, Sophie Bille Brahe for an inside scoop of Arena CPH. Her style is simple and beautiful. From bow ties to tiny Cinderella shoes, Ms. Brahe brings out the princess in all of us with her delicate, girly designs. According to Ms. Brahe, she has always wanted to design things. With the experience of travel (she grew up in Copenhagen and now lives in London) and jewelry education, Ms. Brahe shows that knowledge and talent can truly make an impact on success.

Max & Chloe: How did you decide to become a jewelry designer?
Sophie Bille Brahe: Becoming a jewelry designer has always been the only right thing for me, even though none of my family members are in this business. I always knew that this is where I belong – as long as I can remember anyway.

M&C: How did you get started?
SBB: I have always collected things and made them into jewelry as long as I can remember. And then I decided to take a goldsmith education.

M&C: Have you ever expressed yourself through another path apart from jewelry design?
SBB: I have made films, and I always drew a lot.

M&C: What is your favorite creation?
SBB:10 k bracelets from Arena Copenhagen

M&C: How would you describe your jewelry?
SBB: Simple and elegant

M&C: What is your favorite trend?
SBB: Delicate and simple jewelry

M&C: What inspires you in everyday life?
SBB: I love London, and think it is very inspiring living there.

M&C: Where do you travel to?
SBB:I love Paris and go there a lot. New York is one of my favorite places as well. I go to islands around Sicily for sun and relaxing.

Tags: Arena CPH | designer interview

Jessica Elliot is a designer and a force to behold. Her story is an inspirational one, showing us that anything is possible when you work hard and believe in yourself. Although she has always been creative and loved making things, Ms. Elliot never planned on being a designer. Her first grace with creativity was in acting school. The jewelry “just happened by accident.” As a waitress in Los Angeles, Jessica Elliot drew her first crowd, selling her pieces to customers and the wait staff. After quiting her job to become a full time designer, Ms. Elliot’s career took off. After the first few years, her jewelry was in about 300 stores. Despite her love of acting, Jessica Elliot devoted herself to her newfound profession as a designer; her hard work and dedication is extremely admirable. Although she misses acting and writing (her college majors were English Literature and Creative Writing), she has found her place and satisfied her “creative craving” through jewelry design. Interviewing Jessica Elliot has taught us the strengths of commitment and hard work, and has strengthened our love for everything she does!

Max and Chloe: How did you decide to become a jewelry designer?
Jessica Elliot: I was acting in Los Angeles, which means I was waiting tables…I took one class in “wax carving” for fun at UCLA extension and wearing the pieces I made in class to the restaurant. I immediately began selling pieces right off of my neck to the customers and the wait staff. Soon after that, I began bringing piles of jewelry with me to work every night and making more cash selling the jewels than waiting tables…About 8 months later I quit my waitressing job and did the design full time…

M&C: What is your favorite creation?
JE: That’s a hard one… I think the two things I actually wear the most are the wrought iron cuff bracelet, and the clover rosary… But I love the initials and the zodiacs also. And the new line in production right now is definitely my new favorites.. The enameled “snake skin” pendants and earrings.

M&C: How would you describe your jewelry?
JE: I think my love for vintage glam combined with my city-girl upbringing, has influenced a collection exuding “edgy femininity”. Bold designs are paired with quality hand craftsmanship and my experiences of traveling the world—these are the foundations behind my collections. My attention to detail and use of the finest metals and stones are my basis– While so many designers today take short cuts using cheap materials and throwing over-saturated designs into the market—I take pride in quality and creativity, combining chains and metals in new and interesting ways and constantly trying to re-invent myself.

M&C: Can you describe your favorite piece of jewelry from your childhood?
JE: My mom gave my sister and myself all her heirloom jewelry a couple of years back— we got to look at everything and choose one piece at a time giving each other turns… I immediately zeroed in on a piece that was my grandmother’s— it is a stunning solid gold necklace with faceted rubies lining the entire thing…. It was bought in India in the ‘60’s. I love that style of lush jewels….The Indian influence is super detailed and ornate but with a beautiful simplicity and femininity— and this piece exudes all of that but is also super bold. I got to wear it to my sister’s wedding last year, and I felt like a princess! It was always my favorite piece of jewelry growing up when I saw my mother wearing it, and now I get to wear it myself….

M&C: When did you realize that this dream was something you could pursue wholeheartedly?
JE: I realized I could make a career out of it after about 8 months when I was making more money selling jewelry off my neck than I was waiting tables… When I was able to quit it was really exciting to be able to pour all of myself into the company without any distractions. And the fact that it is my own company, and I don’t have to answer to anyone but myself, is very gratifying…

M&C: Where do you travel to?
JE: Traveling is my favorite thing to do in the whole world… I have been all over, from places like Thailand and Cambodia, to Morocco, to Cuba, to Croatia, to Turkey, to Mexico, to Spain, etc, etc…I have so many more places I want to go!!

M&C: What inspires you in everyday life?
JE: My brand new baby… I look at her and no matter what is going on in my everyday life she makes it all better with her giant toothless grin…

Tags: designer interview | Jessica Elliot

Dazzling, organic, and unusual aren’t the only wonderful words that spring to mind when you first glimpse one of the cutting edge Presh designs. Nicole Apostoli, the lead designer and founder of Presh, draws inspiration from organic shapes and vintage, antique and rare textiles from around the world. She is truly an innovative designer, taking inspiration from her surroundings and reinventing them with her own signature touch.

Nicole has known she’s wanted to pursue this dream all her life. As a child, she would look into her grandmother’s jewelry box and feel the sentimentality surrounding each treasured piece, knowing that her grandmother held on to a necklace or bracelet because it carried special meaning for her at one time or another. Nicole wanted to create that same sense of longing and sentimentality with her designs.

All throughout high school and college, Nicole continued making and designing jewelry, and she sold some of her one-of-a-kind designs during college to local jewelry stores. After graduating from the California College of Arts and Crafts with a BFA in Jewelry and Metal Arts in 2001, Nicole eagerly launched her first official collection, Presh, the following year.

It’s no coincidence that Presh rhymes with fresh, which is precisely what this brand embodies. The line quickly gained a following across the world, and the designs have been featured in movies and television shows like America’s Next Top Model, Raising Helen, The View, and more. Celebrity fans of the unique cutting edge collection include Joss Stone, Hayden Panettiere, and Tyra Banks. Read Nicole’s designer interview to see what she has to say about her inspirations, hopes, and dreams.

Max and Chloe Have you always wanted to design things?
Nicole Apostoli Yes, I have been designing since I was little girl.

M&C How did you decide to become a jewelry designer?
Nicole I can’t remember, it’s just something I’ve always done. I was always taking apart all of the costume jewelry in my grandmother’s jewelry box and putting it back together again in different forms. I have always been fascinated by jewelry.

M&C What is your favorite creation?
Nicole It’s always evolving, I get bored easily so I am always excited about anything new.

M&C Have you ever expressed yourself through another path apart from jewelry design?
Nicole Yes, I have done some writing, photography and some clothing design as well.

M&C Where did you grow up, and where did you study?
Nicole I grew up Marin County, California, and I went to CCAC in San Francisco to receive my BFA in Jewelry and Metal Arts.

M&C Can you describe your favorite piece of jewelry from your childhood?
Nicole It was a gold plated silhouette of a boy and girl holding hands. I alway thought it was made just for me and that it was of me and my brother….

M&C When did you realize that this dream was something you could pursue wholeheartedly?
Nicole I’ve always known this is what I wanted to do…

M&C How did you prepare yourself for the business and marketing aspect of your company?
Nicole I just jumped in; trial and error, I guess. I am not sure if I would recommend that to everyone!

M&C Where do you go when you travel?
Nicole Everywhere I can!

M&C What inspires you in everyday life?
Nicole People living their dreams.

M&C What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
Nicole There are so many to choose from….

M&C What is your favorite trend?
Nicole I think my favorite was the huge chandelier earrings that we saw a few years back. I just couldn’t get enough at the time.

M&C What do you hope to accomplish as a jewelry designer?
Nicole I wish I could say world peace, but I think that I will just have to settle for inner peace and serenity….a creative outlet that gets me away from the everyday realities of running your own business.

Tags: designer interview | Presh