“I wanted to create a shop where the theme is: Old things are made new again,” says Jennifer Vinje. “Whether that’s an old diamond reset or old gold reclaimed, or even a customer’s old jewelry, I can repurpose that, too.” It’s what led the Seattle jewelry maker to name her Etsy shop Anueva, a twist on the Spanish word nueva, meaning new.
The designer’s dedication to repurposing materials is nothing new, however. Jennifer, who grew up in the Pacific Northwest, says respect for the environment has long been a way of life. So has a love of handmade. “My parents are both really artistic, creative people and we would go to art festivals and craft fairs all the time,” she says. “They would find paintings and pottery and I would find the jewelry.”
Turning that passion into a business is a more recent development: Jennifer, who’d been working in the PR world, opened her shop earlier this year. Now she works from her home making organic-looking rings, necklaces, and earrings on a workbench her husband helped her build, with a view of a huge evergreen through her window. It’s fitting, as Jennifer plants a tree for every customer’s purchase since partnering with an organization called Plant-It 2020.
Read on to find out more about this eco-friendly maker and the inspiration behind her collection.
Have you always been a jewelry lover?
I’ve always loved fine jewelry. My mom never understood it, but when I was a little girl I would save up all of my allowance for a nice handmade ring when my family would go on a trip somewhere. That was my favorite thing; I still have a box of all these beautiful little sterling silver rings in children’s sizes. I can’t wait to pass them down to my daughter.
How did your Etsy shop come about?
I started shopping on Etsy about four or five years ago and I was blown away by how cool the concept was: I could get handmade pieces of jewelry that I’ve never seen in a store, that I’ve never seen anyone else wear, and I could learn about the artist. Talking with one of the jewelers that made a piece for me, I told her I had all these designs that I would like to make and asked about how she started. She gave me so much encouragement to just give it a try. So after I had my first daughter and was staying at home with her I decided, You know what? Now is the time. I took several jewelry classes — metalsmithing, stone setting. That was a few years ago, and I haven’t turned back.
Sustainability is a main principle of what you do. Why is it important? Has it always been part of your jewelry making?
Well, in sixth grade I won the recycling award and I obviously have not forgotten that…[laughs] That’s something I pride myself on. When I discovered my supplier for recycled diamonds, a lightbulb went off. I want to create sustainable staples for people, for their everyday wear, and I don’t want people to feel guilty about buying diamond earrings or rings.
Can you explain what constitutes a recycled diamond?
They’re not diamonds that have been ground up and put in a diamond shape or anything; they’re diamonds that were once mined from the earth and set in jewelry. Say a customer wanted to take that piece of jewelry and years later trade it in for something else. Those diamonds are removed, rated by professionals and sent to diamond cutters to see if they need to be recut or just re-polished. Then they’re all sent back into the market. It can help save about 40 percent of the cost. When I do purchase new gemstones, my suppliers are very ethically minded. They have connections with the mines and make sure they’re run fairly and that the community benefits directly from those purchases.
How would you describe your jewelry?
I feel like I have two different styles. I have this geometric, cool, modern Art Deco–inspired thing going on. And then I have nature-inspired, rough, organic, what I like to call “mermaid jewelry” as the other theme. I find stones that pique my interest — I love teals and greens and sometimes even hot pink just for fun. I wanted to create jewelry that reminded me of the fantasy world I lived in as a little girl…I would ride my bike down to the beach and spend half the day beachcombing, playing with creatures, and collecting treasures. When I look at that rough organic-type style it brings me back to that fantasy world, and I was hoping that other people would feel the same.
Is there a particular piece of jewelry that feels really personal to you, or that has an interesting story behind it?
I’m always honored to make memorial pieces. I know they’re really touching for the customer and I feel the weight of their experience when I work on something like that. But my diamond earring collection, that was something that I designed several years ago before I even took classes. Those are really special to me just for that reason — they were an idea years and years ago and now they’re real!
In addition to planting a tree for each purchase, you donate some of your annual proceeds; can you tell me about that?
I think this shop is kind of a culmination of all of my childhood dreams. My mom tells me I was always trying to get her to adopt another child. Adoption and fostering, they’re really special to me as a cause. There are so many children that need help and love and care, and I hope to be able to foster or adopt a child one day. But in the meantime, I can provide donations to an organization.
What’s your favorite part about doing Anueva Jewelry?
Finding that connection between what I believe is a pretty cool piece and the customer thinking it’s a pretty cool piece. I have an idea in mind, and I create it hoping that if I send it out into the world, someone will also love it and feel like it speaks to them. There’s nothing more exciting than finding that match.
What are your plans for the future of Anueva Jewelry?
I would love to be able to grow this into a full-time job. I’m not looking to create a huge company with tons of employees or anything like that; I just imagine myself 20 years from now still in the studio working on really fun, unique pieces and delivering sustainable jewelry at an affordable price.
Follow Anueva Jewelry on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
All photographs courtesy of Anueva Jewelry.
63 comments
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 4 years ago
Stunning pieces. Congrats on the feature.
birdhouseaccents from birdhouseaccents said 4 years ago
Congrats
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 4 years ago
LOVE the dewdrop rings! Congratulations on the feature, Jennifer and many blessings for your continued success!!! :D
Vadim Moroz from VadimMorozArt said 4 years ago
Lovely store! Congratulations on the feature! All the Best!
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 4 years ago
Such beautiful and unique pieces. Love your work!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 4 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 4 years ago
Thank you for sharing your interesting story. Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful shop and much success :)
Colleen O'Neal from truthbeautyandlove27 said 4 years ago
Such beautiful pieces and inspiring story! Congratulations on the feature and doing what you love!
Mary Robertson from MaggiesInn said 4 years ago
What a treat to read this article this morning. Your work is so beautiful.. loved your story!
Cathy White from msbijouxjewelry said 4 years ago
Love that you have two senses of style, beautiful jewelry!
marggie hennessy from LoveFreeStyle said 4 years ago
Great feature! Love Jennifer's designs, so unique and distinct!
Helen Harwood from FatBerry said 4 years ago
Amazing and inspiring. Congratulations on the feature!
Ashlee Alvis from WindyMoonByAshlee said 4 years ago
Lovely, lovely! Kind of a 'dream come true' story! I especially love your nature inspired jewelry. It does make me think of the fantasy world every one of us has somewhere. Beautiful work!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 4 years ago
It's amazing that you plants a tree for every customer’s purchase. I love that idea since I live in the wood and there are so many trees got cut down every year. Congrats on the feature.
Maria B. from TheNorthWayStudio said 4 years ago
CONGRATULATIONS!! Oh my gosh, I was literally jumping up and down at my desk when I saw this this morning! Everything about your work is just so incredibly stunning and inspiring. The process behind your wax working is amazing to see. YEE! Congratulations again!
Emilee Manley from YarnOverHookByEmilee said 4 years ago
Beautiful! Love your pieces! Congrats on the feature!
Dorothy from JewelrybyDorothy said 4 years ago
Beautiful! Congrats on the feature!
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 4 years ago
gorgeous line!! the dewdrop pieces are amazing as all are...such craftsmanship and care invested. congrats on the feature...tfs!!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 4 years ago
Lovely items. Congrats on the feature.
Olesya Bagriy from BelkaUA said 4 years ago
Beautiful shop!!! Congratulations on the feature!
Jennifer Vinje from AnuevaJewelry said 4 years ago
Thank you SO much for the feature, Etsy! And Lisa- you rocked this article! I can't thank you enough for putting into words everything I've wanted to say about my business. You guys are awesome. ~Jennifer
Marisa M. from FeltInMyHeart said 4 years ago
Beautiful work. I especially love the mermaid jewelry and dewdrop rings. So pretty! Congrats on the shop feature!
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 4 years ago
Beautiful work!!! congratulations on your feature :)
Debra Gilstrap from 1225VintageStreet said 4 years ago
Jennifer your jewelry is stunning! Congratulations on your feature and much continued success!!
stephanie callsen from bannerandsail said 4 years ago
Really beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 4 years ago
Great story! Congrats on your work!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 4 years ago
Beautiful shop and work! Congratulations on the feature!
Tsvetan Kazandzhiev from UniqueArtBG said 4 years ago
Great!!!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 4 years ago
Love your leaf pendant! Congratulations on the feature
Teerasak Borkam from TribalAndHarem said 4 years ago
marry me
Anne Dixon from 2SistersHandmade said 4 years ago
Gorgeous Jewelry! So many to choose -- I especially love the Opal Ring!
Rita Perotti from ArtGallery345 said 4 years ago
Che belli! :)
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 4 years ago
Lovely jewelry! Congrats on the feature!
Erica Holt from MistyMountainForge said 4 years ago
absolutely beautiful work. I love your concepts. <3
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 4 years ago
Wonderful shop with an inspiring story! Keep following your dreams!
Karla Rivers from theKRIVEshop said 4 years ago
Congrats on the feature! Stunning jewelry and beautiful shop!
allwood1 from AllWoodToo said 4 years ago
Love your jewelry...So unique and beautiful!!
Yadaluk from Muntra said 4 years ago
Wow!! I love these ideas!
Maryanne and John Fender from FenderMinerals said 4 years ago
Beautiful! Congratulations on your success
Helen from Gem2theiVintage said 4 years ago
Bright, lovely and surely unique jewelry. What Talent!!!!!
Helen from Gem2theiVintage said 4 years ago
WOW! Really fab contemporary backpacks. Shop owner filled with talent.
WING SUM YIM from fabricAsians said 4 years ago
delicate work! love your pieces
Etrennes from Etrennes said 4 years ago
Beautiful talent and inspiration, wonderful work! Wishing you all the best for continued success!!!
Madeleine Keller from ThoseGoodVibrations said 4 years ago
your product photos are lovely and show your pieces very well. Thanks for sharing your story - congrats :)
Carrie Cronkite from CCsSoapinaPouch said 4 years ago
Beautiful craftsmanship!
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 4 years ago
Great style, lovely designs! Congrats!
Ruvie K from URBANTRENDZJewelry said 4 years ago
Beautiful pieces! You are truly talented!!!
Sabrina Shelton from SabrinaCraftzStudios said 4 years ago
Astonishing work. Perfection.
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 4 years ago
Such beautiful pieces. Congrats on the feature!
Suzanne Rorick from SRorickArt said 4 years ago
Stunning jewelry! I especially love the unique ring designs!
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 4 years ago
I appreciate you being so concerned about the sustainability.
Lissette Rodriguez from LimpressionsBoutique said 4 years ago
Beautiful work . Congratulations!
Primmee Lula from LulaJewel said 4 years ago
Congrats on the feature. Beautiful jewelry.
Joann Hayssen from JoannHayssenDesigns said 4 years ago
I make jewelry but that does not mean that I don't appreciate the art of others. Absolutely gorgeous work!!!
elm the person from elmtheperson said 4 years ago
Purdy
Fields Of Vintage from FieldsOfVintage said 4 years ago
Gorgeous!!! Congrats on the feature!!!
DivineOrders from DivineOrders said 4 years ago
GLORIOUS! Congrats on the feature. Thank you Jennifer for sharing your warm memories, creative journey and lovely arts with us. Peace.
Denita Johnson from JohnsonFamilyDesign9 said 4 years ago
Love the post and the jewelry you are making. Best of luck in your future.
Cindy Crouse from CindyFayCreations said 4 years ago
I love to hear about other people's success stories. It makes me feel like if I keep chugging along, continue to learn, grow and hone my skills, that it may be my shop and my story that is being featured in the blog or a magazine article.
fbianu said 4 years ago
Loved the elegant sustainable diamonds!
Debra Mains from debramains1 said 4 years ago
Just want to say all the way from Queenstown NZ You make amazing stuff it's gorgeous and I especially love that you are recycling ..... that is just great I have a small recycle shop called Bossanova here and really hope the world does more recycling so it can survive xx cheers:) Debra
One Stop Steampunk Shoppe from OneStopSteamShoppe said 3 years ago
Wow, beautiful shop! Congrats on the feature! : )
Irina from MyVitraz said 3 years ago
Amazing jewelry!