Meet The Maker: Q & A With Jilian Maddin
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How did you become a jewelry designer?
I started out studying Environmental Design, which I loved, especially the hands-on aspect of making models. Meanwhile, my friend in the jewelry design program bought a building and I moved in as a tenant. She and I spent a lot of time together doing our “homework” – me creating architecture models and her creating jewelry. She taught me some intermediate jewelry skills and I began making pieces which started selling right away. Seeing how well my designs were doing, she suggested I take my obvious knack for design and switch to the goldsmith program.
This was perfect timing, as I was realizing my favorite part of architecture (the hands-on modelling) was only a small portion of the job. Jewelry had both the design and hands-on elements that I loved, minus the computer work.
So, I finished my architecture program, started the goldsmithing program, and never looked back. It’s been about 15 years now – I’ve had two daughters, built a business I love, and designed countless pieces. Through it all, I’m still at the original studio (Made You Look) where I get to work shoulder-to-shoulder with my best friend. We’re so grateful we’ve been able to build these incredible careers together – it’s a little slice of heaven.
Where do you get your inspiration?
The stone is always the starting inspiration for me. I find a stone I love and let the lines, the colors, and the cut inspire the design.
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