Heart and Stone Jewelry: Setting the Standard in Custom Crafts

It takes a lot to get noticed these days, especially in the world of jewelry. Farmers markets, local retailers, and even little Susie from down the street provide plenty of competition. This forces businesses to take a closer look at what they are selling and how they are selling it. Not only do you need to have stellar design and style, but you have to have the passion and willingness to spend time on every piece.

Julie Booras, founder and artistic mind behind Heart and Stone Jewelry, is following these principles to the tee, and people are taking notice.

Founded back in 2007, Heart and Stone jewelry grew out of what one might call a case of chance. After perusing through a magazine article on Precious Metal Clay, Booras fell in love with the idea of crafting silver based jewelry. There was something about it that struck her, and next thing she knew, she was buying everything she needed for the business.

That’s not to say, though, that she never had a hand for creativity. Julie originally earned a degree in photography and worked on family video and photo projects. With plenty of experience in the arts and creative design, she was more than well equipped to take on a project like Heart and Stone.

Flash forward four years and Julie is now running a full-scale operation, sending out custom-made pieces to people of all walks of life (though she somewhat casually admitted the bulk of her customers are Moms or husbands looking for anniversary presents).

Considering the quick pick up on the project, I wondered where she finds the inspiration.

As she explained, some pieces are accidental, others are inspired by friends, family, or world events or causes, and the rest find ties to other designers and Julie’s own experiences. But that’s not what caught my attention.

My personal favorite characteristic of Heart and Stone is that it allows for something much more organic: Julie provides the style and design, and the customers provide the meaning and purpose. With the majority of the pieces, Heart and Stone isn’t trying to drive home some philosophical creed. Instead, the business provides beautiful jewelry that one can infuse with their own message.

To me, it makes the gift all the more authentic.

Finally, to make an already good thing great, Heart and Stone also stands by environmental principle. As Julie put it, “Even as a small business [environmentalism] is important…Every little thing counts.” From the boxes to the making of the jewelry, Julie is committed to setting an example for other small business owners – commendable to say the least.

I suggest checking out Heart and Stone online and on Facebook, and next time you need a meaningful gift, come up with the idea yourself and have Heart and Stone Jewelry make it reality!