The Simple Circle

“June” Simple Circle Earring

The most basic geometric shape is the circle, and I use them regularly in my work. Finding inspiration for designs with circles are everywhere! Just look around and no doubt you will see at least one within your view. 

The possibilities of incorporating a circle in my jewelry are endless, and I know I will never make every design drawn in my sketchbook and swirling around in my mind’s eye!

The “Jane” earrings celebrate this uncomplicated shape in its purist form, making them an essential and elemental part of any wardrobe. You can find several designs incorporating the circle on my website here! I embellish a few with pearls and gold, I leave others unembellished and let them speak for themselves. Maybe there is a pair that speaks to you.

 Enough said, since Leonardo Di Vinci said it best:

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”

Jackie

Perfect Pearl Earrings

“Jackie” Pearl Earrings

I LOVE these new silver and pearl earrings! They have become, my almost, every day earrings for daytime casual and dressier evening looks.

Pearls, in general, are my go to favorite gem because they are so simple, yet so incredibly versatile. I typically acquire pearls that have character, texture and organic shapes. Because no two pearls are identical, it gives them more interest and personality and they blend much better with my design aesthetic. Not to say that perfectly round pearls are not amazing, because there is no doubt that Mother Nature can wow us with her flawless creations.

These earrings, like many of my designs, begins with a basic idea, then I play with shape and form until I land on my version of perfection. The small but important details, such as the ear wire design, make these a beautiful success.

Embracing the design process, with all its challenges and triumphs, is so rewarding. Although I may not embrace every end result, I ALWAYS learn something new along the way.

You can find these little lovelies, that I named “Jackie”, on my website here! 

Cheers!

Jackie

The Tale of Frozen Charlotte

Late 1800s Frozen Charlotte Doll Parts

Downtown McKinney, TX is a beautifully revitalized historic square filled with lovely boutiques, restaurants, antique malls and shops. A frequent destination, this place inspires me with its enduring architecture, quaint atmosphere, unique charm and character. The best reason for venturing here however, is treasure hunting. 

On one such outing, several years ago, while perusing one of my favorite little antique stores, I happened upon a small vessel brimming with miniature porcelain dolls, all of which were missing various body parts. Asking the shop owner if there was a story behind them, she gladly provided a brief history. Fascinated, yet not knowing exactly what they would become, I had to have just a few.  

These tiny dolls, made in Germany in the late 1800s, are being unearthed as old doll factories are dismantled. They also have a name, Frozen Charlotte, due to their immovable body parts. These “broken” Frozen Charlottes, held more interest for me than ones completely intact. I made my purchase, headed home to research more, and figure out a new use for these alluring curiosities. 

I sat with the Frozen Charlottes for a while and finally decided to wire one to a length of rubber cord and make her into a necklace. She was unlike any other piece of jewelry I had ever made. I fell in love with this little doll instantly, returned to historic McKinney, and purchased the rest.

Since that time I have acquired numerous Frozen Charlottes in a variety of sizes and conditions. Heads and busts, headless, limbless, stained and crazed with decades of character. I have crafted jewelry and objects with these precious dolls, each with its own interesting personality. She is an object of art, a distinctive paperweight, display for your favorite earrings or a necklace to adorn you. Knowing these Frozen Charlottes enjoy a second life and new purpose brings me great pleasure. I hope one of these charismatic gems will find its way into your heart. You can find them here at Shop Jewelry and Shop Objects

Creatively yours,

Jackie

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Dreams Realized

Welcome to my inaugural post celebrating the launch of jackiejordanllc.com, a decade of dreams realized. I must admit having a blog associated with my jewelry business was never part of the plan until I had a conversation with my good friend and fellow entrepreneur Kathy Andersson, owner of Rendered Nest Staging. She strongly and passionately encouraged me to create a dialog dedicated to this venture stating it was essential to the success of my website so here I am, awash with anxiety and excitement and officially a maker, entrepreneur and much to my surprise......a blogger.  

For those of you who don't know me I'll share just a little background information that led me to this very special moment in time. In early 2016 I retired from a very successful 30 year career with Sherwin Williams Paints where I directed the company's national color marketing efforts by developing tools for professionals and consumers, researching, creating and presenting color trends and forecasts, designing and art directing interior spaces. It was a profoundly rewarding career that sent me on countless amazing journeys across the great United States and Europe in search of thought provoking trends and design inspiration. Those incredible opportunities and experiences provided fuel for my creative soul, simultaneously influencing and shaping my jewelry aesthetic. 

Creativity is part of my DNA so it is no surprise that I had myriad artistic passions outside of color and design, but the one that captured my heart and soul was jewelry design and fabrication. It all started in Scottsdale, AZ at a small metal arts class at the local Boys and Girls club where an amazingly gifted artist in the techniques of metalwork instructed me.  I discovered how tremendously rewarding it is to take a flat sheet of silver, a spool of wire or found objects and transform them into something special, wearable and functional. I continued to evolve and explore this craft for well over a decade always with a dream of having my own website to show and sell my creations. Well that day has finally arrived and I am more than thrilled to share my art with those who appreciate handcrafted jewelry and small objects with an architectural and whimsical edge. You can learn more about my work and collections on my about page and I hope you will visit and be inspired by my shop!

My goal is to post each week showcasing a new design or work in progress, share new finds and inspiration for my jewelry or just to ask a simple question or share a creative thought. 

I hope you will enjoy my posts and I look forward to our weekly visits.

Creatively yours,

Jackie

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Jewelry Design & Inspiration