Jean Jean Vintage’s Eclectic Mix Of Antique And Vintage Jewelry

In case you check out Emily Duffelmeyer, proprietor of Jean Jean Classic’s (@Jeanjeanvintage) Instagram, you’ll get only a peek contained in the belief she has constructed amongst followers, purchasers and vintage lovers beneficial to her account. Like most small vintage/classic collectors turned sellers/retailer house owners with a ardour for jewels of the previous, she began on a shoestring funds, promoted her wares on IG, opened an Etsy store and at last, a small brick and mortar store in Lansing, MI the place she lives. She has constructed a powerful follower and buyer base as a consequence of her number of merchandise, her typically fun-filled and eccentric posts and her down-to-earth method. Nonetheless, don’t be fooled. She researches every thing she sells till she will get right down to the nitty-gritty of every piece and when she is not sure, her honesty is refreshing. Right here she talks about how she turned her ardour right into a thriving enterprise in small steps after which wider broad strokes.

How outdated had been you while you realized your ardour for jewellery?

“I feel I’m hardwired to like rocks, artifacts, and glossy issues. I frolicked as a younger lady searching for fossils in my gravel driveway in Iowa (spoiler: I didn’t discover many) and I studied archaeology in school. I spend loads of time enthusiastic about historical past, reminiscence, and the way objects handle to trickle via time and survive. Jean Jean Classic jewellery represents this larger, centuries-old story of decoration, preservation, and pleasure!”

What was the primary piece of knickknack you ever purchased for your self?

“If we’re going again to the very first piece, it was in all probability a type of ‘BFF’ necklaces at Claire’s Boutique circa 1988. However the first piece that was a harbinger of issues to come back for me was a Victorian hair work mourning band that I discovered on my lunch break at a thrift store circa 2005.”

Another tales of while you had been younger that might point out you’d be emersed on the earth of knickknack?

My mother was fashionable and he or she wore a reasonably brooch, necklace, and earrings to work day-after-day. I beloved trying via her jewellery field, rigorously opening/closing all the little Avon bins, and pondering that every thing was so particular, whether or not it was “fancy” (i.e. ‘high-quality’) or not. I nonetheless suppose that method—Thirties glass Artwork Deco jewellery is simply as intriguing to me as the dear and uncommon Georgian items.

Is Jewellery your first profession or did you begin out in a special occupation?

“I dabbled in archaeology and French earlier than touchdown a job as a specialty meals purchaser(chocolate!) for Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor. I labored there for 5 years earlier than opening Jean Jean Classic.”

Are you able to inform us slightly extra about why you selected to purchase and promote vintage/classic jewellery?

“Jewels may be highly effective little vessels to carry no matter it’s that we want them to carry: disappointment, hope, love, regret, need and extra. Though all private objects from the previous may be imbued with feeling (furnishings, books, artwork), I feel jewellery carries the strongest dose of sentimentality. I see vintage jewels as lovely markers of time and human expertise. They tackle life and feeling as they transfer via house owners and thru the years.”

What does the identify of the corporate imply?

“Once I was slightly lady considered one of my dad’s nicknames for me was Jean Jean. He died in 2005 and that candy identify form of died with him. It popped into my head once I brainstormed names for the enterprise in 2010. It feels acquainted and welcoming and that’s how I need my enterprise to really feel.”

How did you begin shopping for and promoting merchandise and what had been the primary items to procure?

I began my enterprise from scratch in 2010: no household or business connections, no formal coaching. I had slightly pocket digicam for which to take images. I saved about $1000 and used it to purchase a number of items of modest jewellery. It was a sluggish and regular course of, all based mostly on Etsy for the primary a number of years. I began my household across the similar time because the enterprise, so a slower tempo of development jived nicely with the calls for of parenting younger youngsters. I primarily purchased 1900s via Fifties costume jewellery at first, scouring vintage malls, property gross sales, and eBay. My stock was a bit quirky in the beginning however persistently high-quality and I all the time tried to take the most effective images that I might. I nonetheless take all of my very own images at this time.

How did you elevate the gathering into high-quality vintage and classic jewellery?

“I used to be fortunate as a result of Jean Jean was a aspect hustle in the beginning. I didn’t have any overhead or payroll; due to this fact, I might reinvest closely into the enterprise. I all the time purchased essentially the most distinctive and wearable jewellery the corporate might afford, ultimately arriving the place I’m at this time. I attempt to inventory lovely jewellery at numerous value factors and spanning a number of design eras, from Georgian to mid-20^th century. I’m at present targeted on constructing my vintage bridal stock, which is rewarding and thrilling!

Inform us about your brick and mortar retailer?

After a number of years of e-commerce and elevating my sons, I opened a tiny jewel field of a store in Michigan in 2018. My little 1939 Artwork Moderne constructing is full with the unique terrazzo flooring, a large geometric entrance window, and an ombré wall by Caroline Lizaragga! It’s the excellent house for Jean Jean and its treasures.

Do you may have a favourite time interval?

“My favourite time interval and provenance for the time being is the German/Austrian ‘werkstatte’ fashion jewellery of the 1910s.”

You appear to have nice sources due to this fact accessible costs. How did you go about discovering them at first and now?

“I’ve constructed a small however mighty community of trusted sources over time. Most of my sources are in Michigan: I not often journey or purchase outdoors the state, aside from just a few very educated and reliable sources.”

Are you able to additionally discuss slightly concerning the designs you create and the Cachet Assortment and the way that has advanced?

“I began the Cachet Assortment as a result of I desperately wished to discover a technique to put on one of many free wax seals with these significant mottos, messages and rebus items in my private wax seal assortment. I wished one as a talisman for myself and at last forged it into completely different metals, sterling silver, 10K and 14K gold. I beloved mine a lot that I made extra for pals and ultimately launched them within the Etsy store. The gathering has grown over time to incorporate myriad sayings and sentiments in addition to personalization choices. It’s a technique to have fun the misplaced artwork of letter writing and the timeless feelings that rule us all. It’s fairly thrilling to take a practical object that was as soon as used to seal letters and switch it into a bit of wearable artwork.”

“What are the preferred kinds or time durations you promote?

“My shoppers, like many collectors, get most excited concerning the Georgian, Victorian and ArtDeco Eras. There’s additionally loads of curiosity in vintage bridal proper now, particularly amongst my native visitors.”

How do you be taught concerning the historical past and makers of who you might be promoting? You could have an excellent expertise for that.

“I learn and browse and examine and examine! Writing factual, compelling, and thrilling descriptions of the jewellery is essential to me and it requires some footwork. I spend equal time writing concerning the jewellery as I do taking images. It’s all a part of the method of promoting the jewellery. I need patrons to know as a lot as attainable to tell their selections!”

Do you discover you promote lots on IG or that it drives prospects over to your retailer and your Etsy website?

“I don’t do loads of direct gross sales on IG and I’m not arrange for ‘procuring’ on the location for the time being. Instagram is the lift-off level for a lot of of my concepts and new work, in addition to an necessary level of engagement with shoppers, however I often steer severe patrons to the areas that really feel extra private and fewer frantic.”

“How does the brick and mortar retailer differ from the way you promote on-line?

“I opened my retailer about 4 years in the past in order that I might serve my area people and now have a house/headquarters for the model. To be sincere, what I promote just isn’t that a lot completely different on-line versus in retailer. I see extra {couples}, moms/daughters, and pals purchasing for jewellery collectively within the retailer, which is pleasant. I’m dedicated to intuitive, meaning-driven service whatever the venue: I hope everybody experiences a spirit of generosity and care with me, whether or not on-line or in particular person.”