Conversations with SJ Spence

Today we’d like to introduce you to SJ Spence.

Hi SJ, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, as well as a love for creating and design. When I was in elementary school, I would sit in my grandpa’s office and sketch out designs for my “fashion company” and use my grandma’s sewing machine to try and bring them to life. It was a mess because I was six, but it sparked a love for fashion that just kept growing. When I got to high school, I started making my own jewelry because I couldn’t find the pieces I was looking for in stores.

Family and friends began to request custom pieces for themselves, and what started off as a hobby grew into a little business. I took a pause on designing while I was at the University of Georgia, but after graduating from their business school, I knew that I wanted to start making jewelry again. I missed the creative process, and I was back to my original dilemma of not being able to find unique, well-priced, high-quality pieces in stores. I took six months to focus on developing a new, updated brand and officially launched as SJ Spence Designs.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I really value-creating high-quality pieces that will last for years. It was challenging at first to find suppliers that I could trust to care about the quality of materials as much as I do. I did a lot of research on finding the best partners to source pearls, natural gemstones, and other materials from, and it’s no accident that we work with such incredible suppliers now.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
From the start, I knew that I wanted our earrings to be unique, lovely pieces that add a little bit of whimsy to everyday wear. My favorite brands are those that encompass an overall lifestyle through their products and the experiences they bring, and it has been so much fun to find ways to weave this mindset into our designs, the outfits that go with them, and the stories that our jewelry becomes a part of. One of my favorite aspects of SJ Spence Designs is our work with brides on designing earrings for their wedding day, as well as creating custom bridesmaid’s earrings. I put a lot of thought into the designs because I know that this is such a special day, and when they see the earrings later on in life, they’ll be reminded of the moment they said, “I do.” I remember getting the photographs back from the very first wedding I did – I literally cried when I saw all of the bridesmaids wearing the earrings I put my heart and soul into. It’s a really special and rewarding feeling.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I have always been an avid reader, and my Kindle is an absolutely essential item. As SJ Spence Designs has continued to grow, I have started looking more towards podcasts and audiobooks since I spend a lot of time designing, creating earrings, and on the go. I love listening to The Morning Toast and Royally Obsessed to stay on top of fashion trends, cultural news, and just topics that I am interested in.

Contact Info:

• Email: sj@sjspence.com
• Website: sjspence.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjspencedesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjspencedesigns

Image Credits
Kelli Boyd Photography Shelby Rae Photography Kayley Lorraine Photography