Meet Jennifer Landry | Active Duty Military & Jewelry Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Landry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly, I was never a jewelry person. In my 20’s, I realized I need to start being an “adult” and wear some to complete work outfits, but I couldn’t find jewelry I liked. They were always so big and chunky, more like costume jewelry. Jewelry you’d HAVE to remove everyday. So I started to tinker with making my own pieces. I started with bead and wire wrapping at first. Then began to try soldering. I soon loved the thought of jewelry that were minimal and delicate, but perfect for everyday. Jewelry you don’t have to take off at the end of the day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a self taught jewelry maker. I’ve never had any formal training, aside from a couple of YouTube videos. Being active duty, I had to really scale back my business. It soon became difficult juggling the military life and all the stresses it comes with, like moving, and being a mama, a wife and an entrepreneur that I reluctantly closed up shop to dedicate my time to the Navy. We moved from St Petersburg, Florida to San Diego, California where I am currently stationed. This year marks 4 years in the military. The 3 years I was closed was detrimental to my mental health. Military life had proven to be stressful on a different level. I became depressed and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I spiraled. Hard. If not for my faith and my husband, I don’t know what would have happened. I sought professional help and leaned more into my faith and on my husband. While I took this much needed break, I realized how much I missed making jewelry and began doing it for fun, till I decided to commit to JCL this past March.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
San Diego has the best weather ever. I’d definitely opt for something outdoors. I would take her to Temecula for some wine tasting, I absolutely love Europa Village and Wineries. Also in Escondido, Rancho Guejito Winery. I would take her to Downtown, Oceanside and walk the pier and grab a drink at The Rooftop Bar. I’d also take her to A few touristy spots like the Midway and show her around Liberty Station and the old ship replica that was used in training and explain to her that Liberty Station used to be the old Navy Recruit Training Command, I am Navy after all. Lol. Then grab some food at the Liberty Public Market. We’d go to Sunset Cliffs to see the sunset and watch the waves. We definitely would hit downtown Carlsbad and Encinitas for some shopping, drinks and food!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, all the glory goes to God. He’s blessed me with the talent and opportunity, he’s also blessed me with an amazing support system, my wonderful husband, Chris. Chris has been the very person that has supported me through it all. He actually deserves a lot of the credit as far as pursuing JCL. He saw my talent, he encouraged me to start selling my jewelry. He even opened and took charge of our Etsy store. He helped with marketing and all the behind the scenes duties. When I decided to enlist in the Navy, he even began making and processing orders while I was away for 7 months for training. All while working a full time job and caring for our then 2 year old daughter.

Website: Www.thejclcollection.com

Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/TheJCLCollection