Meet Jennelle Swan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennelle Swan.

Hi Jennelle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My love for jewelry began around ten years old when my aunt took me to a bead and jewelry supply store. All the different beads, wires, tools, stones… the possibilities for creativity seemed endless and I was hooked.

Growing up, I always admired the different stones and designs on my Grandpa’s bolo ties. But it wasn’t until I moved to the south that I began making my own and my love for working with leather increased. It was also then that I began making pieces that I not only love wearing but truly love creating.

Friends began asking if I would make them pieces or pieces for them to gift their friends and family. My husband said “why don’t you start a business?” My response was I wanted to enjoy doing it and not make it a chore. His response “but aren’t you supposed to do what you love?” And Jules & Swan designs was born.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Nope! Haha! But that’s life, right? I had, and still have, a hard time putting a price on my time and creations. I’m a people pleaser. If I know someone loves a piece it’s hard for me to accept money or charge full price. But at the end of the day I need be able to sustain my business. I have been really blessed to have other small business owners in town help guide me on price points and reminding me that my time and creations have great worth. There also have been times I have had to step back for personal life events and starting again is so tough. Even short breaks means you’re now out of routine, the algorithms on social media will not be in your favor, you have to come up with a great new piece to get peoples attention… that can be really challenging especially because I just want to create pieces which makes taking time for social media a struggle.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I first started Jules & Swan designs the main two jewelry pieces I made were bolo ties and my hand braided leather necklaces with different stones. Both pieces I originally started creating because I couldn’t find ones like them. I wanted a bolo tie with raw stones. One I could wear with a dress, a t-shirt, or my husband could borrow to pair with a button down. Throughout the years I have added different styles but my favorite pieces to create always have a stone involved. I’ve also been working on my silver smithing skills. I’d love to release some pieces later this year using that skill, like rings with stones. I also have added stone slides for my distressed bandanas. I worked with a manufacturer to get the metal slide I wanted and pair it with different stones. I remember my husband asking me how I thought they’d sell, before I took them to their first market, which I responded “I mean, I like them but I guess we’ll see!” They ended up selling out. I felt really proud of that! So did my husband ❤️

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Oh, picking one favorite childhood memory for me would be near impossible. I was extremely blessed to have a childhood full of love, adventure, and creativity. But if I had to pick I would choose the moments singing on stage with my family. I come from a family of singers that started with my maternal Grandpa. Growing up we’d be in a restaurant back home and people would stop and ask us to sing for them. It didn’t matter where we were, we always did. It was normal for us. As my mom says it’s in our blood. (I also thought it was normal to be able to yodel lol.) Being on stage performing with my family was and is our way to give back to people and help the community.

We still get together at least once or twice a year to put on a show for local theaters and events back home, in Wisconsin. Being on stage, looking around at my family, communicating through music is one of the greatest feelings. It really is indescribable and will always be embedded in my mind as one of my happiest places and memories.

Pricing:

• I try to price my pieces as affordable as possible. They range from $20-54
• My bolo ties range from $48-$54
• My chain necklaces range from $30-54

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Www.julesandswandesigns.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/julesandswandesigns/
• Facebook: Www.facebook.com/JulesandSwandesigns/

Image Credits
Jennelle Swan