July Studio is not just a jewellery brand, it's something more than that, and here's the story of how it started...
Back in Nov 2020, I was on furlough during the Covid lockdown and one day I was scrolling on TikTok. I saw a video of someone else making polymer clay jewellery, and it looked so fun so I decided to give it a try.
I've always been into arts & crafts, and doing something creative just fills my cup, so when I was working with this new polymer clay I'd discovered, I realised the possibilities were endless because it's such a versatile material - you can literally create anything with it!
I started experimenting with my own polymer clay jewellery designs, and my first few definitely weren't the best, but I really enjoyed it. So much so that I decided to start an Etsy shop and list a few of my clay earrings I made.
To my surprise, I started getting a few orders which I was over the moon about, and for the next few years, I carried on doing it as a little hobby on the side while I was working full time.
Fast forward to 2024, I went on a jewellery business retreat, and it was only then when I truly discovered the real reason I was making my polymer clay jewellery.
Because growing up, I never actually wore much jewellery. I didn't want to attract any attention. I wanted to stay in the background and hide. I was quiet and shy growing up, and I was always worried about what people thought of me.
I always wondered if I'd ever become more confident, like the people who seemed to effortlessly speak up, or be bold enough to raise their hand in class. I couldn't bear the thought of so many eyes on me.
So when I decided to start wearing my own clay earrings, I noticed something interesting. People were noticing and starting conversations about the jewellery. This was a big deal for me because I never really knew what to say to start conversations, so having my jewellery be the thing that sparked conversations was amazing!
The more often I wore my jewellery, and the more I experienced those kind of interactions, the less anxious I started to feel in uncomfortable situations, and the more confident I started to feel.
I realised that this is exactly how I want other people like me to feel, the ones who often stand on the sidelines feeling overlooked, those who get nervous in big groups, the ones who rehearse what they say in their head before they say it out loud - I wanted to help these quieter, more reserved souls feel like they deserve to take up more space in the world. I want to help them feel more confident and remind them that they're not alone.
This is exactly what July Studio is about. It's jewellery designed to be your source of confidence and connection.
So, here are my top 3 jewellery pieces to remind you to take up space in the world:
Blue China Necklace No. 3
Sometimes you just want to wear something that makes you feel a little bolder, and that’s where this Blue China clay necklace comes in.
Calm Confidence
The Calm Confidence clay earrings are a reminder that strength doesn’t have to shout. It can be soft, steady and peaceful.
Blue China No. 5
A favourite among quieter souls, they offer a graceful way to feel seen without saying a word.
