Maker // Jess Hannah
Jess Hannah is a jewelry designer, maker, and fashion blogger from the central California coast. Her designs mirror that effortless west coast minimal style while incorporating elements that are uniquely hers. She got her start early on creating as a child, making “the most sought after friendship bracelets at sleepaway camp.” From there, she moved on to wire-wrapped quartz and brass chains before making the leap into working with precious metals. This passion quickly became the driving force behind creating her own wildly successful brand doing what she wouldn’t ever call “work.”
Simplicity, in the best sense of the word, drives her designs, drawing inspiration from everything from the clean lines of modern architecture to classic, confident menswear silhouettes, with a kind of self-coined celestial power mixed in. Her minimalist pieces are a true reflection of her persona; she embodies her collection. And she’s making it her mission this fall to have us all playing up our normcore wardrobes with perfectly designed jewelry we’ll never want to take off.
How long have you been creating jewelry, and what made you start?
I have been creating jewelry since I was very young and have always loved creating things with my hands. I saw gold jewelry that I really loved and wanted to know how to create it, so in college I started taking metalsmithing classes with a local jeweler. I acquired my own tools and watched YouTube videos and practiced at home. After I graduated, I applied for graphic design jobs. I didn’t get any jobs that I was really excited about, so I decided to take an apprenticeship at a fine jewelry store here in San Luis Obispo instead. After working there for a little under a year, I started my own line.
You live in California. How does the city you live in translate into your design aesthetic and also your fashion aesthetic?
I think California influences my design and fashion sense in terms of the casual vibes. My style is very minimal and casual—never too dressed up. My jewelry is meant to enhance a woman’s look, not to make a statement and steal the show.
Tell me a bit about the theme—if any—to your most recent collection.
I wouldn’t say I really have a theme for my recent pieces, but I really tried to keep everything very minimal and simple while also having a bit of a celestial edgy feeling. Sometimes “simple” can be interpreted as having no meaning. I wanted to evoke the type of meaning and subtle symbolism that Native American turquoise pieces have while keeping it simple and classic and my style.
Describe your process when designing and creating a new piece.
I always keep a notebook with me. There’s one on my bedside table, my purse, my car—everywhere. Ideas come to me at the strangest times, and I want to make sure I can sketch them out so I can keep them forever.
Favorite new piece you’ve designed?
This is like asking me to choose a favorite child! Lately, I have been wearing the Spike necklace on a 20” chain. I really love how small it is and where it hits on my chest. The Luna moonstone ring and Siren pinky ring are always on rotation as well.
What do you like to do outside of work? Tell me about a typical day off.
I don’t have a typical 9-5 job and I truly love what I do, so it often tends to encompass my days off as well. When I’m really trying to escape “working” I like to hang out with my boyfriend or friends, explore neighborhoods or cities I have never been before. Eat really good food. See live music.
How long have you been fashion blogging and what made you start?
I have only been at it for a few months now. It all started when I began to build a following on Instagram in order to advertise my jewelry and build the brand aesthetic. I ended up getting so many questions and twice as many likes on those photos myself where you could see my whole outfit than anything else. Then, I decided to start my blog to chronicle my personal style and give my followers the opportunity to see how I style my jewelry. It was never really a plan of mine, but I am really glad that it unfolded that way.
I noticed from your blog and Instagram feed that you favor classic whites and blacks in your wardrobe, and you wear it well! Has your style evolved from, say, a few years ago?
I mean I love color, just not on me. I lean towards black, white, grey, tan, dark green and blue. I have been avoiding color since middle school, actually. My mom can vouch for that. I have always gravitated a little towards menswear; I feel silly in skirts and dresses and really only wear them on special occasions. I dress for myself and what makes me feel comfortable.
Wardrobe staples?
Good jeans, a denim shirt, perfect black and white tees, manly button downs, and black booties. Done.
Advice to anyone who wants to start their own business making/creating?
Just do it. A lot of people talk about how they plan to do this, or they are going to do that. I talked like this for a while: “I want to have a jewelry line” etc. But my boyfriend set me straight and made me say “I AM launching a jewelry line.” It’s really all about more than talking the talk and just buckling down and getting it done.
Also: Be your own idol (I think I read that in Girl Boss). There is no reason you can’t be the type of person you look up to. People often lose themselves when comparing to others, especially women. It is important to figure out why you look up to that person, and learn from that and take things into your own hands.
Photographs by Kaitlynn Lucas
Words by Melissa Sonico
