Upclose with designer Jemma Rane of Jemma Jewelry

Designer Jemma Rane of Jemma Jewelry

Jemma Rane is a Californian by way of Toronto whose metalsmith talent has found its resolve in creating chic feminine jewelry from raw materials such as fine silver and gold. With a decade of jewelry design experience at her finger tips, Jemma fuses a wave of contemporary style sensibilities with an easy-breezy Southern California spirit. Her unique designer’s touch has created a jewelry line that spans beyond trend and geography. Penelope Poet had the pleasure and privilege of interviewing Jemma about her life as a jewelry designer.

We welcome you to take a closer look at the inspiring woman behind the art and learn about more her passion and inspiration:

Tell us a little about yourself, your passions and Jemma Jewelry?
I grew up in Toronto where I still have a lot of family and moved out to Los Angeles about fifteen years ago. I’m an animal lover and for the first couple decades of my life I really thought I’d become a veterinarian. I was that kid who snuck stray cats and orphaned birds into the house every chance I got. I’m also very interested in women’s issues and worked with emotionally disturbed teenage girls for many years before I became a jewelry designer. Now I spend my days creating jewelry for women, often to commemorate the special events in their lives.

What sparked your interest in the jewelry design business?
I became fascinated with making jewelry while I was traveling through South East Asia many years ago. After a sweet, old artisan in Nepal gave me a lesson on stringing beads I was hooked. However, when I returned from my trip I put my beads away for a few years and didn’t pick them up again until I needed a hobby to relieve stress while I was working with the teen girls. The interesting thing is that even though many people wanted to buy my pieces, I never considered that I could make a career out of jewelry design until a friend suggested it. Once she planted that seed, it was like I’d been given permission to switch career paths.

When did you discover that designing jewelry was your calling?
It wasn’t until I took a course in metalsmithing that my passion as a jewelry designer was truly ignited. Once I was introduced to the tools and techniques involved in working with precious metals, my bead-stringing days pretty much ended then and there. What appeals to me about metalsmithing is that it’s limitless-both in terms of design possibilities and the amount of learning involved in the craft. I know that this is what I should be doing because after almost ten years I still feel that jolt of excitement when I’m working on a new design.

Where does your design inspiration spring from?
My design inspiration comes from so many sources. The other day I put the top of my aluminum water bottle on my finger and was admiring it’s shape. My son must have been watching me because he said, “Mummy, you know what’s so great about your work? You get jewelry ideas from everything around you.” It’s so true. I’m inspired by the faces of striking women in magazines as well as the customers I work with. I also draw from my natural surroundings as I can see birds, butterflies, trees and flowers from the window of my studio. Sometimes design ideas just pop into my head and I have no idea where they came from.

What is unique about your particular technique of jewelry design?
Jemma jewelry is unique because it’s crafted by hand yet the pieces look sleek and sophisticated. Making the jewelry by hand means that no two pieces are identical which our customers seem to appreciate. They also love that they can personalize so many of the designs which makes the jewelry that much more meaningful to the woman who’s wearing it. I love working with precious metals like silver and gold and think I’ve created a distinctive way of combining the two so that the gold silhouettes really stand out against the silver background.

Golden Hummingbird Necklace by Jemma

What is the most rewarding part of being a designer?
It’s exciting to me that I can start with raw materials such as metal sheets and transform them into something beautiful with tools that I manipulate with my own hands. I love the step-by-step process involved in bringing a design concept to fruition. The other big joy for me comes from the positive feedback I get from the women who wear my jewelry. I’m so grateful that people take the time to let me know how much they value my designs.

What is the most challenging part of being a jewelry designer?
I wish I was one of those people, like my father, who can just pick up a pencil and accurately sketch an object. Unfortunately, I don’t have that skill so it takes me five times as long to draw something I’m satisfied with. You don’t want me on your team in a game of Pictionary. Also, some silversmithing techniques can get quite complicated and time consuming. It’s easy to underestimate how difficult making the actual piece can be sometimes.

How do you measure your success in this business?
I feel successful when I’m able to connect with people through my jewelry. If one of my designs makes a woman feel loved, appreciated and beautiful then I feel great about my work.

As a mother of two, and an artist, what are the three most important values you hope to pass on to your children?
I would be thrilled if my kids continued to live with integrity, compassion and laughter. Lots and lots of laughter. Ironically, it’s my kids who remind me to jump up and down with joy once in a while.

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To see more of Jemma Jewelry, please visit the Jemma Jewelry Collection at PenelopePoet.com.