Jeanne Nicole McCollister finds success with her jewelry designs
By Lunzeta Chretien
lchretien@thenewsstar.com
News-Star
Give Jeanne Nicole McCollister ordinary gold and semi-precious stones, and she’ll turn it into something extraordinary.
“I like to really challenge myself to design what is unique,” the 26-year-old designer said. “I love finding rare and exotic pieces and incorporating them into unique designs.”
The Baton Rouge resident, who challenges herself daily to think outside of the box, has been running her own distinctive jewelry and accessory Web site for three years.
Some of her jewelry can be found at Signatures by Linda Reeves in Monroe. Reeves carries a red coral necklace on a leather strap, gold and black carved bone earrings, and leather and gold linear citrine earrings. The pieces in the store range from $70 to $106. Reeves called the prices reasonable and competitive, considering the details and stones used. The pieces in the store are from McCollister’s fall line.
“It’s unusual jewelry with an ethnic flair,” Reeves said. “She has some really beautiful pieces that are non-seasonal and can be worn all year.”
This season McCollister’s collection is dainty and feminine, featuring pieces such as medallions, pendants and semiprecious stones.
Her unique designs have been featured in many major publications including InStyle, Teen People, and Elle Girl.com just to name a few.
This month, she’s featured on page 115 of Lucky magazine. The “Deluxe” necklace (available in aqua or blueberry quartz, brown leather, beads and 14-karat gold-filled chains) featured in the magazine will be a part of her spring collection. It is now available online.
“I was thrilled to get into Lucky because it’s really hard,” she said. “There is so much competition with an accessories magazine.”
Her jewelry will also be featured on page 360 of Bridal Guide magazine this month. McCollister’s one-of-a kind bridal pieces are a big hit with brides looking for something unique.
The brides share their ideas and likes with McCollister, who in turn designs the perfect piece of jewelry.
The Olsen twins even own some of her jewelry from last year’s fall collection. She believes one of the twins fits her earthy and edgy style, and the other fits her elegant and classic style.
Dayna Devon, the co-host of the entertainment news show “Extra,” has worn McCollister’s smoky quartz earrings and Jennifer Schefft, of the ABC reality television series the “Bachelorette 3” owns McCollister’s jewelry as well. Many of the celebrities who own her jewelry have been appreciative and have sent compliments, she said.
Someday she’d like to see her designs worn by even more celebrities, such as Cameron Diaz, Mischa Barton and Sarah Jessica Parker, all of whom McCollister considers to be fashion icons. McCollister says she’s always paid close attention to celebrities’ styles to discover what was missing in the fashion industry.
She challenges herself to create fresh jewelry that can be appreciated from every angle.
McCollister enjoys working with 14-karat gold-filled chains and semi-precious stones. Last year, she was even daring enough to have her entire spring collection all gold. Gold was a big hit that year, making McCollister one step ahead of the game.
“I have always loved to do things differently and be different than the rest,” she said. “I have used that characteristic of mine in my work.”
Each of her carefully handcrafted designs come in a drawstring organza pouch. Inside the pouch customers not only find their jewelry, but a beauty tip card.
Her Web site offers an array of purses and belts made by other designers.
McCollister, who graduated from the University of Mississippi in journalism, enjoys writing stories, poetry and letters. Creatively, she expresses herself through interior decorating, drawing and painting.
Her journalism skills come into play when writing details about her pieces and handling her company’s public relations.
Before starting her own Web site, McCollister began selling jewelry out of a boutique where she worked part-time. When sales picked up, she decided to turn her business into a full-time job.
Now, she’s living her dream by doing what she loves.
“I still remember coming back from Europe right after graduation and I was sketching for fun in the airport. I was sketching apparel designs. And a little girl came up to me and said, ‘Are you a designer?’ And I responded, ‘Maybe one day.’ I knew then a feeling was inside of me and that question, ‘Why wouldn’t you be? You love this!’ I decided then that I was going to make it work somehow.”
And today, her passion for design is working for her.
