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Photography through-out by Kristina Sika
Billie Hilliard jewelry throughout
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It was only a few weeks ago that I received a gorgeous gift of hand crafted jewelry from Billie Hilliard. Billie Hilliard the women behind the self titled label has studied with a master blacksmith and silversmith and believes in ethnic vintage elegance whilst being economically conscious of how the pieces are produced. All the pieces are made in the USA, where the Atlanta based designer spends her time creating rings to necklaces off family heirlooms.
Each piece was beautifully gift wrapped along with a lovely letter from Billie herself about the seven pieces she sent me. The pieces I instantly fell in love with were Billie and Jimmie cuffs, Jimmie Gorget necklace, a Billie ring and a pair of Rosci earrings. Each piece has it's own sense of elegance making it effortless to pair with my everyday outfits. (featured through-out the shoot)
I managed to sneak a quick interview with Billie Hilliard herself and gained a very beautiful insight into what this jewelry label is all about.
When did you fall in love with jewelry design?
As a child I always enjoyed scavenging through my mother and grandmothers jewelry boxes. I could sit for hourrs studying the design details of each piece. For as long as I can remember I've always been able to take almost any material and use my hands to make pretty things. So instead of having a pair of beautiful silver earrings, my pair were made of aluminium foil from the kitchen with painted clay for jewels. As a young adult though, It all came together for me when I realized it was difficult to purchase jewelry. I could always look at a piece and work myself backwards to figure out how it was made. Once I began to construct these pieces myself, it was therapeutic and confirming.
How did the label come to be?
Once I started making pieces and wearing them people would stop me to compliment my jewelry. I was so surprised by the frequency of comments that I had my mom come spend the day with me to see the reaction I was getting. She was amazed and convinced that this was my calling. I on the other hand was not convinced until I found myself shopping in “Project Runway’s” Season Two winner, Chloe Dao’s Houston boutique. Chloe’s sister/store manager walked up and asked where I got my earrings. I told her I made them and she asked if I would show her my collection. Of course, I did not have a collection, but in three sleepless days, I had a 30 piece collection. My expectation was that they would pick one or two pieces. To my surprise they wanted the entire collection. Within two weeks, they needed to replace the entire stock because everything was selling like mad.
