12 years ago was the official launch of my website jfoxjewelry.com! I wouldn't say it was the beginning of my life as a jeweler but it sure put that idea into my head. (how can you afford to be a super small time jewelry maker and live on the Upper West Side of NYC? lol...) The first products I launched were a mix of wire-wrapped seashells, some beaded gemstone pieces and even pendants painted onto wine corks! I was still finding my point of view and to be fair, I think as artists we are constantly shifting to feed the fire inside. So I don't the shift ever ends.
I'm so proud of the journey I've been on to get to this point. 12 years is not accomplished without the cliched hard work and dedication. When I set out on this jewelry making journey I didn't see giving me 9 years as a full time artist (and counting), selling in retail spaces all over the country, hosting Live shopping events (QVC style) every month, providing private party options for friends to get together and become jewelry designers themselves and really just elevating my brand from the wine cork pendants to hand-forged 14 Karat Gold Filled. I didn't see myself being able to say - I worked with my personal stone supplier to custom cut my stones for the new collection, but this is my new, amazing jewelry making life.
As with everyone else,I didn't anticipate the price of my materials to increase by 60% since the beginning of this year. When I started to learn metal smithing techniques back in January 2020 the price of sterling silver was $8/oz and at the time of creating this new collection sterling silver was $50/oz! I piece of me broke inside. I fought myself and my instincts to keep my pricing as low as I could so please know that the prices you see here should probably be doubled to align with the price of materials but I love what I do and love all of you so I did my best. I'd rather see the work I've spent many hours building be worn out in the world than sit here in my house waiting for their forever home. I knew the day would come when I would need to increase my prices. I knew that day would come - not when the market tells me I have to - but when my confidence and experience said so. I've been working on honing my skills and I think if you've been shopping with me for a while you will notice the little tweaks and even some of the big changes that I have made over the years. Those updates are the reasons I feel validate my increased pricing. My knowledge, my experience, and of course my use of high quality materials.
The Year 12 Collection is a symbol of LOVE. The stones represented here have strong ties to emotional balance, protection of your inner peace, love, joy, compassion. Last year's collection was all about being BRAVE and now that we summoned our courage and strength, we are ready to LOVE ourselves and what we have discovered within.
Please enjoy my latest collection and thank you for being here with me on this amazing creative journey.