Jewelry artist opens “Jillery” in Eastsound

For Jill Curtiss the progression to shopkeeper of her new shop, Jillery, started with the repair of a necklace. “I repaired the necklace and it was fun. So, I bought some beads and made some bracelets. People began to buy the jewelry, which led to five years at the Orcas Farmers Market during the season and the Christmas fairs,” Curtiss said.

Now, she says the Farmers Market is not enough and she wants to be open year-round. With her husband, Roger Curtiss, who retired in June after 26 years on the Beachwood, Ohio Police Department where he was most recently a detective in the fraud department, and with Dexter, their 13-year-old golden retriever, and newly appointed shop mascot, she plans to keep the shop open 7 days a week from 10 to 5 p.m. through Labor Day. Fall hours will be decided later.

Curtiss’s jewelry is delicate. It features Swarovski crystal and other beads, beach glass and semi-precious stones set mostly in silver. She uses both Thai and sterling silver for the settings. Some of the jewelry is set in gold, copper and brass.

“The inspiration for my jewelry comes from the stones and the beads. I find ones I like and the jewelry comes together from there. I make necklaces, bracelets, ankle bracelets, earrings and watches. I am going to be starting a men’s line of jewelry soon,” Curtiss said.

“People say my jewelry is unique. People really like it. I have customers that returned to the market every year to buy from me. I think another reason for my success is that my prices are reasonable and I plan to keep them that way. I have a children’s line that starts at $5,” Curtiss said.

The shop’s dramatic red and white walls and hardwood floors covered with Persian rugs provide a rich and opulent setting for the artwork and jewelry.

Her shop will also feature a number of local artists. “I am still looking for a few more artists. I am interested in unique local art,” Curtiss said. Some of the artists whose work she has already agreed to showcase include handmade bags by Susan Osborne, photography by Joe Floren, original watercolors and prints by Marcia Spees, acrylic, pen-and-ink and colored pencil art and handmade cards by Gail Anderson-Toombs, watercolors by Liz Waterman and tie-died socks and scarves by Flo Bullock.

The only other jewelry in the shop besides Curtiss’s own will be Robin Duis’s line of jewelry made with real butterfly wings and flowers. Duis will also be selling her handmade cards, mandalas and scarves.

In addition to what’s on display in the shop, Curtiss makes custom pieces. She is currently at work on specially designed necklaces and matching earrings using garnets, fresh water pearls and Swarovski crystals for a wedding bridal party.

This is not Curtiss’s first time as a shopkeeper. She had a plant shop in Seattle for 37 years that her son now runs.

Jillery is located in the shopping strip at the intersection of North Beach Road and Main Street in Eastsound. The shop will be open from 10 to 5 p.m. daily through Labor Day and they plan a Grand Opening Celebration this fall.

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